Modern environmental protection standards have a direct impact on the construction and shaping of public space. Designers are increasingly reaching for materials produced via recycling technologies. Waste materials are more readily adopted and used in urban planning and architecture. Current projects in this area are being increasingly designed to meet the requirements of the circular economy, which is facilitated by the reuse of once-used components. The aim of the study is to review research papers in the Scopus database (bibliometric analysis) and other selected materials applied in construction, which are recycled and used again in various ways in the construction of subsequent buildings. The results show various application possibilities of recycled materials in construction. The study draws attention to the fact that the use of recycled materials in modern construction is becoming more and more effective, which may contribute to increasing the share of the circular economy in the implementation process related to this subject.

A Carbon Footprint (CF) is defined as the total emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, and is a specific type of Environmental Footprint that measures human impact on the environment. Carbon dioxide emissions are a major contributor to anthropogenic greenhouse gases driving climate change. Wood, as a renewable and ecological material, has relatively low carbon emissions. The study aimed to review and analyze the criteria influencing the feasibility of constructing modern zero-carbon wooden buildings. The review was conducted in two phases: (i) a literature review and (ii) an assessment of existing buildings. The preliminary research led to (i) narrowing the focus to the years 2020–2024 and (ii) identifying key criteria for analysis: sustainable material sourcing, carbon sequestration, energy efficiency, life cycle assessment (LCA), and innovative construction practices. The study’s findings indicate that all these criteria play a vital role in the design and construction of new zero-carbon wooden buildings. They highlight the significant potential of wood as a renewable material in achieving zero-carbon buildings (ZCBs), positioning it as a compelling alternative to traditional construction materials. However, the research also underscores that despite wood’s numerous potential benefits, its implementation in ZCBs faces several challenges, including social, regulatory, and financial barriers.

Contemporary problems related to the consequences of climate change and exposure to changing investment and implementation conditions are prompting the development of programmes adapting to climate change. Issues of adaptation and actions in relation to climate change are being discussed in the architectural, urban planning, and governmental communities. Models are being developed for shaping the functional and spatial structure, buildings and infrastructure in the city in relation to the projected climate change. Multi-criteria and interdisciplinary research is being carried out and solutions are being implemented for retaining water, minimising the heat island effect, reducing emissions and environmental impact by analysing the carbon footprint and introducing circular economy principles. The research is focused on the analysis of design and implementation conditions for multi-family housing projects in Poland, and the development of design guidelines enabling adaptation and mitigation of the negative effects of climate change, including heat island effects, smog, overheating, drought, and flooding in housing. Conclusions from the overview of the indicated documents and legal provisions for the implementation of sustainable development principles and adaptation to climate change in the investments under preparation (urban and architectural projects) enable the forecasting of development directions and ideological assumptions for shaping urbanised areas, providing the basis for shaping the resilience of the functional and spatial structure and the natural system in urban areas subject to transformation. Issues of implementing pro-environmental technologies and developing new urban planning standards disseminate the solutions of compact cities in which the development of multifunctional building complexes with public spaces equipped with greenery linked to the buildings are realised.

This article provides a critical review of the current design and research challenges in contemporary timber architecture. Conducted from the perspective of a designer-researcher, the review focuses on the role of wood as a material at the intersection of environmental performance, cultural meaning, and spatial practice. The study adopts a conceptual, problem-oriented approach, eschewing the conventional systematic aggregation of existing data. The objective of this study is to identify, interpret and categorise the key issues that are shaping the evolving discourse on timber architecture. The analysis is based on peer-reviewed literature published between 2020 and 2025, sourced from the Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases. Fifteen thematic challenges have been identified and classified according to their recognition level in academic and design contexts. The subjects under discussion include well-established topics, such as life cycle assessment and carbon storage, as well as less commonly explored areas, such as symbolic durability, social acceptance, traceability, and the upcycling of low-grade wood. The review under consideration places significant emphasis on the importance of integrating technical, cultural, and perceptual dimensions when evaluating timber architecture. The article proposes an interpretive framework combining design thinking and transdisciplinary insights. This framework aims to bridge disciplinary gaps and provide a coherent structure for understanding the complexity of timber-related challenges. The framework under discussion here encourages a broader understanding of wood as not only a sustainable building material but also a vehicle for systemic transformation in architectural culture and practice. The study’s insights may support designers, educators, and policymakers in identifying strategic priorities for the development of future-proof timber-based design practices.

Thermal waste transformation plants (waste incineration plants) are a strong architectural accent in the existing site context. They often function as power plants or combined heat and power plants, producing heat and/or electricity by recovering energy from flue gases. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the relationship between the architectural quality and protection of the natural environment through the technological solutions applied. The indirect aims of the study include the demonstration of the educational message conveyed through architectural and environmental solutions. The relationships defined by the objective were verified in comparative studies of eight operating waste incineration plants in Poland, located in: Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Konin, Krakow, Poznan, Rzeszow, Szczecin, and Warsaw. The results were presented in three problem areas: (i) architectural quality, (ii) environmental solutions, and (iii) educational message. The results of the study led to the following conclusions: (i) waste incineration plants operating in Poland show a relationship between the architectural quality and broadly understood pro-environmental solutions, (ii) and all waste incineration plants operating in Poland show educational solutions.

Contemporary Wooden Architecture in Poland Since 2000: Aesthetics, Function, and Social Reception.This article provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary trends in wooden architecture in Poland sincethe year 2000. The analysis encompasses three interrelated dimensions: aesthetics, functionality, and socialperception. For the purpose of this study, the term "wooden architecture" is understood broadly, encompassingboth fully timber-structured buildings and those where wood plays a significant aesthetic or symbolic role.Historically linked to conventional construction methods, wood is presently gaining recognition as a legitimatematerial in contemporary architectural design. The aesthetic analysis explores the fusion of local identities witha universal design language, emphasizing the role of wood as a carrier of both visual and cultural meaning.The functional dimension focuses primarily on the technological opportunities offered by wood in large-scaleconstruction, including structural applications, comfort-related factors, and performance in sustainablearchitecture. The third area of investigation focuses on the social perception of wood as a material. Despite the factthat this perception is still shaped by persistent stereotypes, it is increasingly subject to change through educationand the promotion of sustainable solutions. The article delineates salient challenges and prospective researchdirections, underscoring the imperative to integrate technological innovation with cultural and social context.