Architects’ Perception of Quality of Life—Impact, Practice, and Barriers

R1

Comments

Changes

1_ in the introduction clarify the relationship between quality of life and environment in the past and how this has influenced the present. 

Sure, included, page 2, L.46-56:

  The beginning of the QoL concept can be traced back to the early philosophical period (427-322 BC) [2], with characteristics of happiness serving as the central objective of a good life, defined by attitudes, feelings, and beliefs [2]. Although society and worldviews have changed dramatically since the time of Socrates and Aristotle, some historical factors determine how QoL is perceived today. The characteristics of a good life are still essential to the individual and his or her environment. Yadava and Gupta [2] provide a valuable historical perspective of QoL and include some of the complexities and conditions of QoL. Interestingly, QoL is still founded on the basic idea that people should live a good life, which includes both internal and external conditions, where, in particular, external aspects may be beyond individuals’ control. 

2_in the results, delve deeper into the descriptions of the selected buildings.

Main characteristics are stated in Figure 1, and detailed elements for each selected building are reported in Table 4.

3_regarding conclusions, it's difficult to give a future perspective due to the small number of architects interviewed. Please further discuss this point. The conclusions need to be more consistent with the aim of the study.

It is included with new additional text in the limitations, page 12, L320 – 345. For providing a better structure, we have in the revised manuscript separated discussion and limitations, into two more detailed sections (accordingly section 6 and 7). 

The conclusion is also changed and aligned with the aim.  

R2

Comments

Changes

1.Include more recent studies that explain how architecture influences quality of life in different cultural and geographical contexts. This can help contextualize the results within a broader framework

Sure, included in the manuscript:

which corresponds with the rise in interdisciplinary research on the social impact of architecture [41]….. page. 12.

…

And (P12 ff.)

Our results revealed… how architects perceive QoL and how architecture can impact QoL.

L. 208-310. With included 6 new recent studies/ references [41-46].   

2. Explain in more depth how the concepts of "health," "harmony," and "enchantment" are understood and measured in other studies.

Sure, very good. Much further extended in the revised manuscript, e.g.:

Page 12, L. 282-283.

And especially from page 12, L. 289-306.

Our results revealed……. it is an influential factor in people’s QoL experiences.

This also includes six new references (41-46).

3. In the same line, detail what you mean by Quality of Life from the beginning of the text.

Included.

4. Provide more details about the selection process of the architects who participated in the interviews and workshop, including exclusion criteria or the reason for their representativeness within the Danish architectural industry.

More details have been provided in the revised manuscript. Page 2, L. 83-91

The ten participants (Table 1) were chosen from Danish architectural firms that provide services in housing and are representative of the Danish architectural industry; they were selected by quota sampling [19] using industry expertise and information sourced from company websites, ensuring diversity in gender, company size, market position, and region. Six out of 10 participants are employed in large companies (+40 employees) because companies of this size account for over 60% of architect employment. A validation check, conducted by two independent stakeholders, included reflections on varied market positions and design approaches.

5. Briefly explain how data collection techniques, such as semi-structured interviews and projective techniques, were designed to capture architects' perceptions of quality of life.

Included at page 3.  

6.Present the results with clearer or more detailed visualizations, such as graphs that show the frequency of mentions of the dimensions of quality of life by the participants.

Thanks very much for highlighting this – very valuable for improving the manuscript.

Figure 2 and Figure 3 have been revised to show the frequencies of mentions of the different dimensions of QoL by the participants.

Page 8 and page 9.

7. Connect the findings with existing theories in the field of architecture and environmental psychology, discussing how your results could challenge or expand these theories.

Very good point. Now included in the revised manuscript with an extended conclusion linking relevant theories and recent studies.

Page 13, L. 365-373.  

…We have outlined a proposed framework with variables of QoL that architecture can impact. However, this is just a starting point for further development, which also has advantages that…

…. We argue that, in order to enhance QoL in housing, we require both a common metric of QoL variables and a deeper understanding of the concept of QoL in housing from various perspectives and practices that could challenge architects’ seemingly homog-enous perceptions. 

This is included with five new references [47-51], including links to e.g. enviromental psychology

8. Discussion on how the perception of barriers varies among different types of architects (for example, those working in large versus small firms).

Considering that the majority of participating architects are from larger firms, reflecting Denmark's employment distribution, it's our assessment that there isn't enough data to support the discussion adequately. This is also mentioned in the limitations.

9.Address specific limitations of the study, such as the use of a relatively small and geographically concentrated sample that may not be representative of all architects, especially outside of Denmark. Thomas

Sure, text included on page 12, L. 320-326

This study is based on relatively few participants, and even though they were carefully sampled, the results should not be overinterpreted. Due to the relatively small and geographically concentrated sample, it is important to emphasize that the results may not be representative of all architects, especially outside of Denmark. The participants represent a certain generation of Danish architects (aged 40-60) with more than….

10. Provide concrete recommendations on how the findings could influence urban planning policies or design practices, especially in contexts similar to the Danish one.

Sure, text included: Page 13, L. 357-364.

This study recommends enhancing the research on QoL in housing, especially from an end-user perspective. We recommend that architectural firms develop and share prac-tices so they can learn more systematically from projects as a profession and document how architecture impacts the dimensions of QoL, such as a sense of community. Future research should also provide recommendations that include specific metrics and knowledge on how to improve the evaluation of QoL’s impact.

Other elements

Discussion and limitations are separated into two different sections

There is provided consistent terminology for the projective methods

R1

Comments

Changes

1_ in the introduction clarify the relationship between quality of life and environment in the past and how this has influenced the present. 

Sure, included, page 2, L.46-56:

  The beginning of the QoL concept can be traced back to the early philosophical period (427-322 BC) [2], with characteristics of happiness serving as the central objective of a good life, defined by attitudes, feelings, and beliefs [2]. Although society and worldviews have changed dramatically since the time of Socrates and Aristotle, some historical factors determine how QoL is perceived today. The characteristics of a good life are still essential to the individual and his or her environment. Yadava and Gupta [2] provide a valuable historical perspective of QoL and include some of the complexities and conditions of QoL. Interestingly, QoL is still founded on the basic idea that people should live a good life, which includes both internal and external conditions, where, in particular, external aspects may be beyond individuals’ control. 

2_in the results, delve deeper into the descriptions of the selected buildings.

Main characteristics are stated in Figure 1, and detailed elements for each selected building are reported in Table 4.

3_regarding conclusions, it's difficult to give a future perspective due to the small number of architects interviewed. Please further discuss this point. The conclusions need to be more consistent with the aim of the study.

It is included with new additional text in the limitations, page 12, L320 – 345. For providing a better structure, we have in the revised manuscript separated discussion and limitations, into two more detailed sections (accordingly section 6 and 7). 

The conclusion is also changed and aligned with the aim.  

R2

Comments

Changes

1.Include more recent studies that explain how architecture influences quality of life in different cultural and geographical contexts. This can help contextualize the results within a broader framework

Sure, included in the manuscript:

which corresponds with the rise in interdisciplinary research on the social impact of architecture [41]….. page. 12.

…

And (P12 ff.)

Our results revealed… how architects perceive QoL and how architecture can impact QoL.

L. 208-310. With included 6 new recent studies/ references [41-46].   

2. Explain in more depth how the concepts of "health," "harmony," and "enchantment" are understood and measured in other studies.

Sure, very good. Much further extended in the revised manuscript, e.g.:

Page 12, L. 282-283.

And especially from page 12, L. 289-306.

Our results revealed……. it is an influential factor in people’s QoL experiences.

This also includes six new references (41-46).

3. In the same line, detail what you mean by Quality of Life from the beginning of the text.

Included.

4. Provide more details about the selection process of the architects who participated in the interviews and workshop, including exclusion criteria or the reason for their representativeness within the Danish architectural industry.

More details have been provided in the revised manuscript. Page 2, L. 83-91

The ten participants (Table 1) were chosen from Danish architectural firms that provide services in housing and are representative of the Danish architectural industry; they were selected by quota sampling [19] using industry expertise and information sourced from company websites, ensuring diversity in gender, company size, market position, and region. Six out of 10 participants are employed in large companies (+40 employees) because companies of this size account for over 60% of architect employment. A validation check, conducted by two independent stakeholders, included reflections on varied market positions and design approaches.

5. Briefly explain how data collection techniques, such as semi-structured interviews and projective techniques, were designed to capture architects' perceptions of quality of life.

Included at page 3.  

6.Present the results with clearer or more detailed visualizations, such as graphs that show the frequency of mentions of the dimensions of quality of life by the participants.

Thanks very much for highlighting this – very valuable for improving the manuscript.

Figure 2 and Figure 3 have been revised to show the frequencies of mentions of the different dimensions of QoL by the participants.

Page 8 and page 9.

7. Connect the findings with existing theories in the field of architecture and environmental psychology, discussing how your results could challenge or expand these theories.

Very good point. Now included in the revised manuscript with an extended conclusion linking relevant theories and recent studies.

Page 13, L. 365-373.  

…We have outlined a proposed framework with variables of QoL that architecture can impact. However, this is just a starting point for further development, which also has advantages that…

…. We argue that, in order to enhance QoL in housing, we require both a common metric of QoL variables and a deeper understanding of the concept of QoL in housing from various perspectives and practices that could challenge architects’ seemingly homog-enous perceptions. 

This is included with five new references [47-51], including links to e.g. enviromental psychology

8. Discussion on how the perception of barriers varies among different types of architects (for example, those working in large versus small firms).

Considering that the majority of participating architects are from larger firms, reflecting Denmark's employment distribution, it's our assessment that there isn't enough data to support the discussion adequately. This is also mentioned in the limitations.

9.Address specific limitations of the study, such as the use of a relatively small and geographically concentrated sample that may not be representative of all architects, especially outside of Denmark. Thomas

Sure, text included on page 12, L. 320-326

This study is based on relatively few participants, and even though they were carefully sampled, the results should not be overinterpreted. Due to the relatively small and geographically concentrated sample, it is important to emphasize that the results may not be representative of all architects, especially outside of Denmark. The participants represent a certain generation of Danish architects (aged 40-60) with more than….

10. Provide concrete recommendations on how the findings could influence urban planning policies or design practices, especially in contexts similar to the Danish one.

Sure, text included: Page 13, L. 357-364.

This study recommends enhancing the research on QoL in housing, especially from an end-user perspective. We recommend that architectural firms develop and share prac-tices so they can learn more systematically from projects as a profession and document how architecture impacts the dimensions of QoL, such as a sense of community. Future research should also provide recommendations that include specific metrics and knowledge on how to improve the evaluation of QoL’s impact.

Other elements

Discussion and limitations are separated into two different sections

There is provided consistent terminology for the projective methods