Architecture, Volume 5, Issue 4 (December 2025) – 23 articles

Construction quality failures impose substantial costs on the industry, with traditional quality assurance (QA) methods operating reactively by detecting problems after they occur rather than preventing them during planning and design phases. Limited research exists on the systematic integration of immersive technologies (IMTs) for proactive quality failure prevention across construction project lifecycles. This study investigates how IMTs can systematically prevent specific quality failure categories through enhanced spatial visualization and virtual verification processes. A qualitative approach was employed, combining scoping literature review, two purposively selected case studies, and autoethnographic analysis to capture both performance metrics and implementation insights. Case Study 1 achieved 8% improvement in solar panel placement efficiency (optimizing from 82 to 90 modules) and 1.7% increase in useful energy production (85.8% vs. 84.1%) through BIM-Unreal Engine integration for shadow analysis and spatial optimization. Case Study 2 demonstrated virtual site mobilization using the Revit–Twinmotion workflow, eliminating spatial conflicts and safety clearance violations during pre-construction planning. Findings revealed that IMT applications systematically address quality failure root causes by preventing design coordination errors, measurement mistakes, and regulatory non-compliance through virtual verification before physical implementation. This paper establishes IMTs as transformative QA platforms that fundamentally shift construction quality management from reactive detection to proactive prevention, offering measurable improvements in project delivery efficiency and quality outcomes. Full article

A major challenge that will confront our society in the coming years is the socioecological transition. This involves a profound, systemic shift in how human societies interact with ecological systems. Beyond merely becoming “greener” or adding new technologies, it is about reorganising economies, lifestyles, institutions and cultural values to align with the planet’s ecological limits. The change also requires transforming the fundamental structure of societies to ensure their deep interconnection and compatibility with natural flows and ecological systems. To this end, it is valuable to explore the small, scattered practices which are currently leading to new organisational solutions or socioecological improvements. These initiatives are often regarded as forms of community resistance, adopting various approaches and strategies, which result in a disparate array of configurations. A comprehensive approach is thus needed to identify common patterns of development. A set of meaningful practices was analysed. The sample actions all took place in the urban context of Seville, a city located in Southwestern Europe and spanned various arenas driven by the transition to sustainability. Following the principles of qualitative research and a case study design, we adopted a qualitative method based on open-ended interviews, emphasising situated knowledge and collective construction of meaning. Moreover, a methodological approach based on interviews and further categorisation was followed to describe and organise ideas, motivations, risks, outcomes, as well as how the experiences evolved. The findings revealed that the core motivation driving the initiative in its initial phases is key. Outcomes nevertheless vary significantly depending on the initiative objectives. Generally, actions focused on specific elements—such as defending precise locations or activities—tend to be more successful and abundant. But the ones based on professional developments end up being somewhat stifled since they depend on the market to succeed. However, most rely somehow on public subsidies or support from public institutions, and their activities tend to diminish when such resources are reduced or withdrawn. The question is therefore how to make these initiatives more resilient in the future. The socioecological transition offers a path to strengthen social cohesion, empower collective action, and generate locally rooted and ecologically sustainable alternatives. Building community resilience—the capacity of local communities to adapt, recover and thrive amid these challenges—is, therefore, essential. Full article

Architectural heritage and the actions—positive and negative—concerning it, are not only different in each country, but they also change over time. It is widely assumed that this is due to changes in values. However, the more determining factors are education and political systems. These two are intrinsically connected, and affect the making of local and national contexts, which ultimately support, or not, protection and conservation actions. Invariably, in democratic settings with high levels of education, architectural heritage is valued, protected and conserved. Historically—and unlike in other disciplines—in architectural conservation, theory was only defined after successful practice and by the competent professionals who executed it. This is the case of the Venice Charter (1964), still the main reference for practitioners when intervening in architectural heritage. There is a clear relationship between the emergence of literature on the economics of heritage, heritage management and cultural geography, and the recent trends promoting the de-listing of buildings or to allow them to decline to avoid the cost of conservation and maintenance. This literature is used to justify these actions and, ironically, sometimes more funds are spent on digitally documenting buildings and/or talking about them than maintaining them. This is clear evidence of the deviation of the very purpose of conserving architectural heritage, which has been passed to us for our generation to enjoy, and we should do our best to transmit it to future ones. This paper discusses the current situation in Europe concerning architectural conservation, with a particular focus on the Council of Europe Framework Conventions of Granada (1985) and Faro (2005), and the approach and practices in individual countries. It discusses some representative examples, identifying the main theories (and lack of) employed by governments, authorities and professionals and the outcomes. It reflects on the reasons why we have arrived at the current situation of architectural conservation being misunderstood or underrepresented. The paper also defines the need for coordinated policy actions, particularly the formal classification of architectural conservation as a scientific discipline. It presents the need for more research and specialist education in architectural conservation to improve current unregulated and inappropriate practices. Full article

Tunisia’s northwestern region offers a rich and diverse civilization heritage and cultural potential. However, it has been socially and economically marginalised since the 70s. This study explores the link between urban cultural heritage and the construction of collective identity, emphasising the potential of built heritage to foster sustainable community-based development. In addition to physical attributes, the literature highlights the importance of social interactions in shaping territorial identity. Identity, in this context, is not static but a dynamic territorial construction that integrates architectural, urban, and social dimensions. The cities of El Kef and Tabarka serve as case studies of spatially and culturally marginalised areas, facing significant challenges to both tangible and intangible heritage. With a negative population growth rate (−0.36% between 2004 and 2014) and the lowest economic development indicator nationally (0.3% in 2012), these cities reflect the urgent need for an alternative approach. Through spatial diagnosis, interviews, and stakeholder engagement, the research demonstrates that a renewed territorial model—grounded in heritage valorization and local identity—can support inclusive and adaptive development. Key findings reveal a generational gap in the perception and representation of heritage between younger and older residents. This indicates that cultural identity is not a static inheritance but a dynamic process requiring active community investment. Ultimately, the study concludes that urban identity assets critically influence the capacity of a community to build a shared vision for the enhancement of its territorial identity. This reconnection between territory, memory, and planning enables a collective reappropriation of space, proposing a long-term vision for heritage-integrated urban regeneration. Full article

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has established itself as a strategic and indispensable tool for designing and implementing smart buildings within the context of smart cities. This study explores the potentialities and challenges of using BIM across the main stages of the smart building lifecycle: design, construction, and operation and maintenance. We conducted comprehensive, detailed, and interpretative literature research to extract the main concepts and knowledge, enabling us to identify the main potentialities and challenges and classify them by life-cycle phase for smart buildings. Potentialities and challenges were prioritized based on the number of projects that cited them. The inclusion criteria for identifying potentialities and challenges were based on their key attributes: significant impact, information modeling potential, integration capability with other tools and methods, and improved performance in processes and services across all life cycle phases and BIM dimensions. The findings reveal that the main potentials include optimizing information management, reducing operating costs, enhancing environmental sustainability, and enhancing decision-making processes. Furthermore, the study highlights BIM’s role in integrating technologies such as IoT, augmented reality, and energy simulations, contributing to the development of more sustainable and functional buildings. However, challenges to its full adoption persist, including financial constraints, interoperability issues between systems, a lack of specialized technical skills, and organizational resistance to change. The dependence on advanced technological infrastructure and robust connectivity poses an additional challenge, especially in developing countries, where such resources may be scarce or inconsistent. Finally, this study suggests that future research should explore the integration of BIM with emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital twins, further expanding its applicability in the smart urban context. Full article

Informal settlements, urban areas with substandard housing conditions and inadequate infrastructure, are increasing in Africa’s sub-Saharan cities, fueled by rapid urbanization, economic challenges, and high housing prices. However, developers often ignore the green building (GB) concept when upgrading housing conditions for these communities. This study aims to investigate GB design strategies specifically for residential structures in Akabahizi to identify and propose practical strategies suitable for informal settlements such as Akabahizi and to develop sustainable housing solutions that enhance environmental quality and meet the needs of residents. Simulation software and combined qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, including field surveys, interviews, and assessments of existing building conditions, constitute the methodology used in this study. The focus was on the influence of climatic factors, including temperature, precipitation, and wind, on design choices, particularly GB design and current residential buildings in Akabahizi. Based on the survey, 82.5% of residents support the GB concept, 87.4% recognize the importance of GB for community well-being, and 97.1% recognize the benefits of integrating energy-efficient technology for residents’ well-being. Questionnaire findings were considered in decision-making for the design of the new proposed structure to address challenges in the area. Optimized energy efficiency, daylight access, and thermal comfort resulting from courtyard design support GB design incorporating a courtyard as a robust and culturally relevant sustainable design framework tailored for Akabahizi. The courtyard provides green space that promotes social interaction, improves air quality, and delivers natural cooling elements that are essential for residential housing. The proposed new design, with green roof and renewable energy devices, improved material usage, and natural ventilation elements, outperformed the existing one in terms of lower levels of carbon emission for environmental protection. In conclusion, a collaborative effort is needed among various stakeholders, including architects, urban planners, and educational institutions, to promote and implement sustainable building practices. The study suggests that enhancing awareness, offering training opportunities, and empowering local professionals and residents alike can pave the way for improved living conditions and sustainable urban development in Akabahizi and similar informal settlements. Full article

Literature on community resilience has argued that it is (re)produced through sustained collective practices, and cautioned against neoliberal ‘resiliences’ which serve to justify state withdrawal and disinvestment. A critical and progressive understanding of resilience accounts for this by politicizing everyday practices and foregrounding community agency. More research is needed to show how these concerns are spatialized in different social, political, and economic contexts. This paper investigates the self-managed ‘buurthuiskamer’ (neighborhood living room) as a site of everyday practices of community resilience in the Netherlands. These spaces represent a historical form of social infrastructure being reinterpreted in the post-welfare-state, post-austerity urban context. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork and interviews in four such spaces, we use buurthuiskamers to illustrate a critical and plural understanding of community resilience based on cultivating agency. We show how communities ‘survive’ by defending and enhancing everyday urban livability in the present; how they move beyond mere survival towards communal ‘thriving’; and how participants are empowered to take collective action and decisions to ‘transform’ towards more just and inclusive futures. Finally, we highlight the structural precarity underpinning these spaces; the tension between the roles of meeting spaces as neutral social infrastructure and as spaces of belonging and appropriation; and the ambivalent mediating position they occupy between neoliberal local government and local communities. Full article

Windows play a crucial role in maintaining indoor thermal comfort, influenced by occupant behavior, passive design strategies, and advanced technologies that contribute to sustainable building practices. Despite advancements in adaptive and occupant-centric design, critical gaps remain unresolved in understanding of multi-climate adaptability, the complex interrelation between window operation and occupant behavior, and the integration of occupant roles into energy-related strategies under emerging technologies. This scoping review synthesizes peer-reviewed studies to assess the importance of window design (geometry, glazing, shading), operational strategies (manual control to AI-driven systems), and technological approaches (passive to smart systems) on thermal comfort, energy performance, and occupant behavior. Using bibliometric and scientometric analyses, the review focuses on four primary research clusters: thermal comfort and occupant behavior, window operation strategies, their impact on energy performance, and sustainability, with an emphasis on emerging trends. The findings highlight that glazing technologies, shading systems, and operational choices have a significant impact on both comfort and energy efficiency. The study develops a framework linking thermal comfort to window operation, occupant behavior, and climate context while conceptualizing a comprehensive design matrix and outlining future research directions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: health and well-being, SDG 7: clean energy, and SDG 11: sustainable cities and communities). Full article

Lime-based repair mortars, plasters, and renders are widely utilized in the conservation of traditional buildings. Historically, considerable emphasis has been placed on ensuring that new repair mortars are aesthetically compatible with existing historic materials. However, comparatively less focus has been placed on ensuring hygric compatibility, which is critical to maintaining the moisture equilibrium of traditional masonry walls and preventing moisture accumulation caused by repair interventions. The FabTrads project examined the hygrothermal properties of newly fabricated quicklime mortars, prepared with binder-to-aggregate ratios of 1:2 and 1:4, alongside a range of historic lime-based mortars, plasters, and renders, sourced from buildings across Ireland. This paper presents a comparative analysis of their hygric behaviour. Experimental results indicate that the capillary absorption of the fabricated mortars correlates well with their historic counterparts. Both fabricated mortars exhibited vapour diffusion resistance factors within the range of the historic samples, albeit towards the higher end. Hygrothermal simulations of vapour and liquid water transport revealed that the moisture behaviour of the fabricated mortars is largely within the range of performance of their historic counterparts. Relative humidity was slightly elevated for the fabricated mortars in the models concerning vapour transfer. Notwithstanding this, the findings provide a reassuring indication that the hygric performance of fabricated quicklime mortars is comparable with that of traditional lime-based materials, supporting their appropriate use in conservation practices without adversely affecting the moisture dynamics of the building fabric. Full article

In the 21st century, community participation in heritage management has become a worldwide phenomenon. Despite this shift in heritage management thinking and the inclusion of community members in such processes, these participatory efforts have not necessarily led to the empowerment of communities in decision making. Many studies have been conducted to probe this critical question and to better understand what hinders the active involvement of the public. This paper examines the question through Crossing the Pell, an academic project from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). With grant sponsors/clients and based in real-time heritage management issues of historic Newport, Rhode Island, this project emphasized creative and untested methods for engaging community through the use of immersive digital environments. As sponsored design with the stipulated objectives of funders and clients, the professors and students were charged with not only solutions for an adaptation of existing infrastructure but also the design of a unique community engagement process. This paper documents the multi-year academic endeavor, analyzes its outcomes in the context of the history of community engagement, and offers a hypothesis for implementing an active and meaningful participatory process in cultural heritage management through the use of extended realities. Full article

This paper investigates how architectural theories from the Bauhaus in the 1920s have the opportunity to influence approaches to wellbeing through the built environment today. Through a literature review, the study examines work and writings by primarily Hungarian artist László Moholy-Nagy and German architect Siegfried Ebeling, as well as their contemporaries and predecessors at the Bauhaus. The research identifies a gap in architectural history where past architectural theories and practices have been underexplored in relation to wellbeing, particularly in early modernist discourse. By analyzing Moholy-Nagy and Ebeling writings, this paper reveals how their work prefigures and expands contemporary concerns in wellness design. The key finding is: in the examined works there are clear links between metaphysical thinking, environmental conditions, construction innovation and wellbeing. This study contributes to architectural discourses by: firstly proposing that metaphysically informed design thinking can offer valuable insights for architectural practices aiming to enhance occupant wellbeing; secondly, recontextualizing historical ideas within present-day design challenges, and thirdly offering future research directions for developing understandings of wellbeing in relation to architecture. Full article

Earthquakes, fires, and climate change-related hazards increasingly threaten cultural heritage. Documenting and identifying the significance of heritage sites before disasters is essential for archival purposes and for guiding post-disaster interventions such as consolidation, reconstruction, or redesign. Although various post-disaster strategies exist in the literature, they often lack consideration of pre-disaster values and authentic qualities, limiting their effectiveness in value-based regeneration. This study proposes a framework for managing post-disaster interventions grounded in pre-disaster documentation of heritage values, authenticity, and integrity. The methodology includes seven phases: case selection; site survey and documentation; thematic analysis and mapping; quantification of qualitative data; synthesis of pre-disaster analysis results to define values, problems, and potentials; post-disaster assessment using aerial and terrestrial imagery; and development of targeted intervention strategies. This study focuses on two areas in Antakya, Türkiye: Kurtuluş Street and Kuyulu Neighborhood, affected by the 2023 earthquake (M 7.7). These areas represent different historical layers: a Hellenistic grid plan with French-style buildings, and an organic Ottoman settlement morphology, respectively. Conservation data collected in 2019 inform the analysis. Mapping techniques evaluate attributes such as spatial characteristics, typologies, and structural systems. The study concludes that traces of pre-disaster spatial patterns and building features should inform post-disaster designs, ensuring sustainable, earthquake-resistant, and value-based interventions. Full article

Traditional housing is a type of housing that emerged during a specific era in history, when inhabitants designed and built their own houses with the help of the entire community. In Togo, a West African country, and specifically in the urban area of Kara, traditional housing is characterized by a variety of styles due to socio-temporal changes. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of traditional housing in this urban area following these changes. The results were obtained using a methodological approach based on documentary research, interviews, field observations, GPS surveys and sketches of existing traditional buildings in the urban agglomeration of Kara. Qualitative and quantitative data were also collected. According to the methodology adopted, a total of 327 households out of a total of 24,512 were surveyed and 34 interviews were conducted. This approach reveals that the urban agglomeration of Kara has three (03) types of traditional housing depending on changes and evolution within the community. The first type, known as the original type, is characterized by round-shaped houses covered with straw and built using purely traditional methods. The second type is marked by a change in the original forms. In addition to the original round shapes, rectangular or square shapes are added, using traditional materials and techniques, with the beginning of the use of imported materials. The third type is characterized by the use of modern materials, creating a mix of shapes and materials. Full article

Deep-learning generative AI promises to transform architectural design, yet its potential employment and ready-to-use capacity for professional workflows are unclear. This study presents a systematic review conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesizing peer-reviewed work from 2015 to 2025 to assess how GenAI methods align with architectural practice. A total of 1566 records were initially retrieved across databases, of which 42 studies met eligibility criteria after structured screening and selection. Each was evaluated using five indicators with a three-tier rubric: Output Representation Type, Pipeline Integration, Workflow Standardization, Tool Readiness, and Technical Skillset. Results show that most outputs are raster images or non-editable objects, with only a minority producing CAD/BIM-ready geometry. Workflow pipelines are often fragmented with manual hand-offs and most GenAI methods map only onto the early conceptual design stage. Prototypes frequently require bespoke coding and advanced expertise. These findings indicate a persistent gap between experimentation with ideation-oriented GenAI and the pragmatism of CAD/BIM-centered delivery. By framing the proposed rubric as a workflow maturity model, this review contributes a replicable benchmark for assessing practice readiness and identifying pathways toward mainstream adoption. For GenAI to move from prototypes to mainstream architectural design practice, it is essential to address not only technical barriers, but also cultural issues such as professional skepticism and reliability concerns, as well as ecosystem challenges of data sharing, authorship, and liability. Full article

Achieving optimal daylighting in buildings necessitates complex and expensive control systems. This research addresses this challenge by proposing a simple and more practical solution: a parametric louver system based on rotating slats controlled by stepper motors, powered by an Integrated Circuit platform (Arduino board), which can translate the digital figures (the rotation angles) to a physical action. The system automatically adjusts the slats in accordance with solar altitudes and reflects them to specific targets over the ceiling. This ensures a uniform and comfortable distribution of daylight throughout a room. This system was developed using Grasshopper as the parametric software, with future control planned via a user-friendly mobile app through a preliminary prototype. This daylighting system prioritises human visual comfort while targeting a significant 53% reduction in electrical lighting energy consumption. The system aims to enhance occupant well-being to significantly increase energy savings, making it a compelling solution for sustainable building design. Full article

Co-design plays a pivotal role in architectural design and urban planning for the green transition, facilitating collaboration among designers and stakeholders to create contextually appropriate solutions. This study examines the balance between stakeholder input and designer agency within co-design practices aimed at addressing the complex challenges posed by the green transition. Looking at how designers’ mindsets and methods are influenced by co-design, this study is carried out by analysing two contrasting case studies from the Future Island-Island project: Field Operations, an immersive residential on Rathlin Island, and DesignLink, a structured design sprint with organisational partners. Employing the terminologies of autogenic (designer-led) and allogenic design (stakeholder-led), the research critically explores how these modalities influence design outcomes and designers themselves. Field Operations exemplifies a more allogenic approach characterised by collaborative brief development through local immersion, while DesignLink primarily illustrates an autogenic process where predefined objectives guided creative synthesis. The study reveals that effective co-design requires oscillation between these approaches, underscoring the necessity for designers to harness both community insights while ensuring their own creative agency. The findings in this study advocate for a refined co-design framework that optimally integrates stakeholder contributions without compromising the integrity and coherence of the design process, emphasising the importance of contextual sensitivity, innovation, and timely decision-making in addressing complex societal challenges such as the green transition. Full article

One of the sometimes-neglected fields is the landscape design of hospital premises. This study focuses on the perception and preferences of responders regarding hospital site design. The objective was to determine if people are aware of the benefits of restorative contact with nature and if there were preferences for any specific landscape type. The online questionnaire with color figures was distributed using emails and social media from 4 May to 2 August 2024. Some 110 respondents returned the questionnaire. Most of the respondents were women under 25. Most respondents declared that the surroundings of the healthcare building influence the health and well-being of patients (96%) and health personnel (86%). The results confirmed the awareness of the importance of contact with nature (89%). Moreover, this study demonstrated a preference for calm garden compositions, stimulating physical and mental recovery with trees, flowers, and water features, as well as stabilized paths and sheltered sitting places. The results confirm previous studies and demonstrate the importance of landscape architecture design of hospital premises for the well-being of patients. The findings may influence urban landscape planning and the design of hospital sites. Full article

Signs of the passage of time can come as an unwelcome reminder of our own eventual passing. Historically, many cultures have sought refuge from the march of time in the notion of a timeless present. More recently, studies have shown that presence achieved through meditation lowers stress. This essay explores how the built environments where we spend most of our lives might help us to be more fully present. Rather presenting a comprehensive theory of the present in architecture, its intent is to make a series of design suggestions. Full article

Urban planning in post-industrial cities is often limited by stakeholders’ understanding of the potential for intensifying mixed industrial and cultural uses, and the benefits to each of their co-location. In Brussels, differences in language and governance pose additional challenges to actors trying to bring together diverse stakeholders to cooperatively plan for urban regeneration. As part of a wider action research project on regeneration of the city, five co-design workshops were held across Brussels in 2017–2019 and interviews with participants were conducted. Later, in 2023, the researchers returned to the city to assess the practical outcomes of the project. This paper explores the role of the workshops in harnessing the untapped potential for integrating and expanding mixed industrial and cultural uses, and highlights the factors required to inspire and motivate diverse stakeholders to drive sustainable innovation and growth. Full article

This systematic literature review investigates the factors influencing indoor environmental satisfaction in vernacular architecture, with particular attention to sustainability and sociocultural contexts. Drawing on 105 peer-reviewed studies published over the past two decades, the analysis employed thematic synthesis and cluster analysis to identify key design features, theoretical underpinnings, and variables affecting occupant satisfaction. Five major theories emerged, with Sustainability Theory, Bioclimatic Architecture Theory, and Ecological Systems Theory most frequently applied. Cluster analysis of 62 variables produced eight thematic categories, offering a structured basis for hypothesis development and integrative model formulation. The review further identified critical research gaps, including limited empirical validation, methodological inconsistencies, and underutilization of theory in explaining outcomes. Findings reveal that vernacular design features such as courtyards, shading devices, and materiality strongly contribute to SIEQ, while contemporary transitions risk diminishing comfort. This review highlights critical research gaps, particularly evaluation voids and theoretical underuse, and proposes integrative directions for architects and policymakers. Full article

Virtual Reality (VR), particularly when integrated with Building Information Modeling (BIM), is transforming architectural practice in developed economies. However, its adoption in developing countries remains limited due to infrastructural, economic, and organizational challenges. This study addresses this gap by empirically evaluating VR readiness among emerging architectural professionals in Oman through a novel integrated framework. This framework combines the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), which focuses on functional drivers like usefulness, with Presence Theory, which captures experiential drivers like immersion. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the survey data and assess VR readiness. The analysis revealed that prior VR exposure significantly predicts adoption intention, a relationship that is partially mediated by perceived usefulness. Organizational support emerged as a key moderator, effectively mitigating the impact of technical barriers on adoption decisions. The model explained the variance in adoption intention, highlighting that experiential familiarity, functional evaluation, and institutional support were critical for advancing digital transformation. The findings provide actionable insights for educational institutions, policymakers, and industry stakeholders aiming to prepare the next generation of architects in Oman and similar economies for VR adoption. By validating a dual-pathway adoption framework, this research contributes both theoretically and practically to understanding immersive technology assimilation in resource-constrained professional contexts. Full article

ADHD and misophonia are developmental neurological disorders that are currently increasing in prevalence due to excessive acoustic and visual pollution. ADHD, which is characterized by a lack of attention and excessive impulsive hyperactivity, and misophonia, which is hypersensitivity to sounds accompanied by a severe emotional and psychological reaction, are both affected by the user’s spatial environment to a great extent. Spatial design can contribute to increasing or decreasing these unfavorable sensory triggers that affect individuals with ADHD and/or Misophonia. However, the role of architectural spatial design as a therapeutic approach to alleviate the symptoms of Misophonia and ADHD has never been proposed before in the literature, despite its accumulative and chronic effects on the user’s experience in everyday life in terms of well-being and productivity. Therefore, the current work discusses this problem of neglecting the potential effect of architectural spatial design on alleviating Misophonia and ADHD. Thus, the objective of the current work is to propose customized architectural spatial design as a therapeutic approach to alleviate Misophonia and ADHD through adopting the compatible architectural trends of minimal and metaphysical architecture. The methodology of the current work includes a theoretical proposal of this customized architectural spatial design for alleviating these two special neurological conditions. This includes introducing and analyzing these two neurological conditions and their relation to and interaction with architectural spatial design, analyzing minimal and metaphysical architectural trends employed in the proposed therapeutic architectural design, and then proposing augmented and virtual reality as auxiliary add-ons to the architectural spatial design to boost its therapeutic effect. Minimal architecture achieves the “no emotion” criteria through reduced forms, patterns, and colors and adopts simple geometry and natural materials to reduce sensory stressors or stimuli, in order to alleviate the loss of attention and distraction prevalent in those with ADHD, as well as allowing the employment of acoustic materials to achieve acoustic comfort and noise blockage for Misophonia relief. Metaphysical architecture leads the hierarchy of sensory experience through the symbolistic, dynamic, and enigmatic composition of forms and colors, which enhance the spatial analysis and cognitive capacities of the inhabitants. Meanwhile, the use of customized virtual and augmented reality environments is an effective add-on to minimal and metaphysical architectural spaces thanks to its proven therapeutic effect in alleviating various neurological disorders and injuries. At this level of intervention, VR/AR can be used as an add-on to minimal-architecture design, to simulate varied scenarios, as minimal design offers a clean canvas for simulating these varied virtual environments. The other option is to build these customized VR/AR scenarios around a specific architectural element as an add-on metaphysical architecture design to lead the sensory experience and enable the user to detach from the physical constraints of the space. AI-generated designs were used as a proof of concept for the proposed customized architectural spatial design following minimal and metaphysical architecture, as well as to provide AR and VR scenarios as add-on architecture to enhance the therapeutic effect of these architectural spaces for Misophonia and ADHD patients. Furthermore, the validity of VR/AR as a therapeutic approach, alongside the customized architectural design, was discussed, and it was concluded that this study proves the need for extended clinical studies on its efficiency in the long run, which will be conducted in the future. Full article