Research on Architectural Color and Visual Comfort in Historic Landscape Areas

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors are congratulated for the document 'Research on Architectural Colour and Visual Comfort in Historic Landscape Areas’, it has an interesting structure but does not contribute to the methodology, however, the only pertinent observations that I can comment on are:

The order proposed by the authors does not allow the document to be clear and generate research value, it is recommended that the authors use the Microsoft Word template Buildings MDPI structure for a more interesting research production such as: 1. Introduction: The introduction should briefly place the study in a broad context and highlight why it is important… 2 Materials and Methods: The Materials and Methods should be described with sufficient details to allow others to replicate and build on the published results… 3. Results: It should provide a concise and precise description of the experimental results, their interpretation, as well as the experimental conclusions that can be drawn… 4. Discussion: Authors should discuss the results and how they can be interpreted from the perspective of previous studies and of the working hypotheses… 5. Conclusions: This section is not mandatory but can be added to the manuscript if the discussion is unusually long or complex. Review the cites bibliographies.

Dear authors, the methodological contribution for the safeguarding of heritage is simple, it does not contemplate a systematic process, and the data from its qualitative inputs are not a significant contribution, the methodological part must be reviewed because it does not collaborate in the research.

Abstract:

The Abstract should be restructured and clearly emphasize the methodology and the advantages of the study highlighting its results and conclusions.

Introduction

Avoid problems of writing and structure of paragraphs, you repeat ideas frequently, this does not support a focused and fluent reading.

About the historical architecture of Shanghai, the information is described in a superficial way.

Situating ourselves in the historical context of West Nanjing Road Historic, its chronology of historical heritage and considering that it takes examples of buildings. As a basis of its research give us those historical, architectural, typological, and historical values of the landscape and heritage value of the study area.

Materials and Methods:

Restructure the paragraphs completely because it tells us nothing about the research method used.

It does not describe what was the method used for the selection of the research case studies, the method needs more information such as the protocols that were followed and existing variables in the study, etc.

The use of materials and color on the facades describes a style and era of the history of the city and architecture, a very simple process of choice is evidenced "were randomly selected" it will be necessary to assess or have a selection criterion "grouped to the time of the history of architecture of the area" and justify with bibliographic sources that provide more technical data to those currently described.

4.2. Questionnaire Design

Given the characteristics of the research and how subjective the case study may be, it will be necessary to attach the Questionnaire used for selection, as well as for validation, tabulation, etc. this can be attached as "unpublished document".

4.3. Participant Selection

It does not describe what was the method used for the selection of the research case studies, the method needs more information such as the protocols that were followed and existing variables in the study, etc.

Discussion

It will be necessary to clarify the relationship of number of buildings analyzed, number of interviews described and the historical temporality of each one. Stand out in the discussion section for the benefit of color in the landscape and landscape alteration.

The authors do not analyze it in color with the spatial perception it generates about the site and the landscape that denotes it.

Conclusions

Include this section, taking into account that you should focus on each of the findings of the methodology and the results obtained.

Avoid conclusions that are too general and not documented in the text.

References

Regarding the references. There is a lack of references from authors with wide experience in the study of color theory in the architecture.

Review current research and cite research groups that are constantly advancing on this topic.

Author Response

Please see the attachment. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to revise our manuscript, we appreciate editor and reviewers very much for their positive and constructive comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Title: Research on Architectural Colour and Visual Comfort in Historic Landscape Areas

Authors: Zhanzhu Wang Hao Sun  and Jie Li

The theme is very actual, regarding China  Architectural Heritage Based on Historic areas  

Introduction

Please better develop the literature review and update to 2023

Please analyses critically the findings of the articles and the limitations.

Please indicate also at least tree similar article to your research published recently (last 5 years).

Literature review should be developed

Scope of your research is not very clear expressed. Please revise

Methodology

Fig.1. page 6: please indicate the source for the photos of the buildings, time (year) took the photos

References: please develop and internationalize.

The following publication can help the quality of the  paper documentation  and   internationalize the references list.

The following paper can be useful for the paper. Please include also in your references list also:

https://doi.org/10.2478/jaes-2020-0005

Is it relevant and
interesting?

The paper is relevant for actual period. It synthetizes the actual available literature data, is a key factor in this dynamic urban environment of Shanghai city.

How original is the topic?

Is an actual topic even it is not very original; important subject in the post pandemic period dealing with heritage buildings from Shanghai area.

What does it add to the subject
area compared with other published material?

The paper should be better documented internationalize it and updated to 2023.

Is the paper well written?

The paper is well written. The quality of English translation is good.

Is the text clear and easy to read?

The text is well structured, clear and easy to read from the specialists in the field but as well as from the persons from public.

Are the conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presented?

The conclusions are well represented in the paper. The paper deal with the  various architectural styles in the historical style district of West Nanjing Road, Shanghai; paper provide references for future colour design of modern building facades in the historical style district of West Nanjing Road based on historical colour attributes compensate;  all this mentioned in the context of  confusion and discomfort caused by modern buildings in the neighborhood, in conditions of very different  factors in urban environment, very important for  for human community.

All the best,

March 2023

Author Response

Please see the attachment. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to revise our manuscript, we appreciate editor and reviewers very much for their positive and constructive comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

The topic of the paper is really original and interesting. Couple un historic buildings and landscapes is very less treated, thus it could be a important references. Unfortunately, it’s quality is low and it has to be te rotten to be suitable for a publication in the journal buildings. Introduction must be completely deeper analyzed, connecting the literature review and all the theories related to building and architecture. Also the relation among historic buildings and landscapes and colors should be treated discovering the gaps in literature. Some paper can be added such as https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2017.09.002 for colors in archeological sites, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113303 for color evaluation of new technologies in heritage buildings and landscapes, or https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2021.100038 for gardens. The literature review of previous paper is important to find the gap. I suggest you to enlarge a bit your topic also considering new technologies addition to historic contexts. The structure of the osier must be revised as actually it is not rational. The questionnaire is described, but levels of comfort should be explicated better. I suggest to reject the paper encouraging the re-submission with a complete revision of its contents. 

Author Response

Please see the attachment. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to revise our manuscript, we appreciate editor and reviewers very much for their positive and constructive comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors should be congratulated for improving the document 'Research on Architectural Color and Visual Comfort in Historic' both in its structure and in the recommendations mentioned above, however, the only outstanding observations that I can comment on are:

1.- The introduction is clearer and describes well the place of study.

2.- Materials and Methods with the support of the new narrative and tables paragraphs have a better understanding of the research; graphics remain a modest element in your research; try to compose infographics rich in evidence, data, and images of your research.

3.- Results are clearer described, addressing some variables and the scope of the research established by the authors.

4.- Conclusions and reference generate a modest and interesting contribution.

Reviewer 3 Report

Thanks for considering my suggestions