Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture

Imene Soussi; Maryam Alwaz

doi:10.31127/tuje.1968493

Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture

Abstract

Interior finishing materials contribute significantly to embodied carbon emissions but remain underrepresented in performance-based sustainability assessment frameworks. This study investigates the potential of eco-efficient polyurethane (PU) decorative panels as low-carbon alternatives to conventional interior finishing materials in hot-humid climates. A comparative case study methodology was adopted using secondary life cycle assessment (LCA) datasets, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and peer-reviewed literature to evaluate bio-based PU systems in Dubai and recycled PU panels in Singapore. Four performance criteria—embodied carbon, thermal performance, acoustic performance, and durability—were comparatively assessed through a proposed Performance-Based Interior System (PBIS) framework. To support integrated material evaluation, the study introduces a novel Performance Efficiency Index (PEI), which combines environmental and functional performance into a single comparative metric. Comparative analysis of published performance data indicates that eco-efficient PU panels can achieve approximately 35–40% lower embodied carbon than conventional interior materials while providing improved thermal stability, acoustic performance, and durability under hot-humid environmental conditions. The findings reposition interior materials as active environmental systems rather than passive finishing elements and demonstrate the potential of PBIS as a transferable decision-support framework for sustainable material selection in interior architecture. The proposed framework contributes to the advancement of performance-based and climate-responsive interior design by integrating environmental and functional criteria within a unified assessment methodology

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Amity University Dubai, Engineering, Architecture and Interior Design Department, United Arab Emirates; British Applied College, School of Construction and Built Environment, United Arab Emirates

Project Number

N/A

Ethical Statement

This study is based exclusively on secondary data obtained from published literature, life cycle assessment (LCA) datasets, environmental product declarations (EPDs), and publicly available case study documentation. No human participants, personal data, animal testing, or experimental interventions were involved. Therefore, ethical approval was not required.

Thanks

The authors would like to acknowledge British Applied College for academic support and access to research resources.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architectural Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Imene Soussi ^*
0000-0002-3218-2967
United Arab Emirates

Maryam Alwaz This is me
0009-0007-4330-349X
United Arab Emirates

Publication Date

October 16, 2026

Submission Date

June 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968493

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA45DT62UL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Soussi, I., & Alwaz, M. (2026). Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 10(4), 1595-1604. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968493

AMA

1.Soussi I, Alwaz M. Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture. TUJE. 2026;10(4):1595-1604. doi:10.31127/tuje.1968493

Chicago

Soussi, Imene, and Maryam Alwaz. 2026. “Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 (4): 1595-1604. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968493.

EndNote

Soussi I, Alwaz M (October 1, 2026) Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 4 1595–1604.

IEEE

[1]I. Soussi and M. Alwaz, “Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture”, TUJE, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 1595–1604, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.31127/tuje.1968493.

ISNAD

Soussi, Imene - Alwaz, Maryam. “Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10/4 (October 1, 2026): 1595-1604. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1968493.

JAMA

1.Soussi I, Alwaz M. Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture. TUJE. 2026;10:1595–1604.

MLA

Soussi, Imene, and Maryam Alwaz. “Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture”. Turkish Journal of Engineering, vol. 10, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 1595-04, doi:10.31127/tuje.1968493.

Vancouver

1.Imene Soussi, Maryam Alwaz. Performance-Based Evaluation of Eco-Efficient Polyurethane Panels for Sustainable Interior Architecture. TUJE. 2026 Oct. 1;10(4):1595-604. doi:10.31127/tuje.1968493