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Next-Generation Architectural Acoustics and Vibration: Sustainability, Equity, and Innovation

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Acoustics and Vibrations".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2026 | Viewed by 2878

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Scott Campus, Omaha, NE 68182-0176, USA
Interests: acoustics; building acoustics; noise measurement; acoustic metamaterials; sound absorber designs
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Architectural acoustics and vibration control play a crucial role in creating spaces that not only meet technical performance standards but also enhance well-being, sustainability, and equity in our urban and architectural landscapes. As cities evolve into complex ecosystems and sustainability becomes a global imperative, the need for innovative acoustic solutions addressing both functional and environmental challenges is more critical than ever.

This Special Issue invites researchers, practitioners, and industry experts to explore emerging paradigms, advanced technologies, and holistic approaches to sound and vibration in architecture. We particularly encourage contributions that bridge traditional acoustics with modern demands for sustainability, health, and social equity.

Key topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Regenerative and Circular Acoustic Design: Approaches integrating material reuse and life-cycle strategies for sustainable acoustic environments.
  • Green and Sustainable Acoustic Solutions: Bio-based and low-carbon materials, eco-acoustic strategies for urban resilience.
  • Acoustic Equity and Inclusive Design: Ensuring fair and balanced acoustic comfort across diverse communities and urban spaces.
  • Urban Soundscape Innovation: Designing for positive soundscapes, noise mitigation in high-density urban contexts, and smart city applications.
  • Advanced Computational and AI-Based Models: Machine learning, digital twins, and predictive analytics for acoustic optimization.
  • Human-Centric and Psychoacoustic Perspectives: Understanding sound perception and its implications for health, productivity, and comfort.
  • Hybrid Vibration Control Systems: Smart materials, active/passive damping strategies, and adaptive solutions for structural dynamics.
  • Integration of Acoustic and Esthetic Design: Synergies between architecture, art, and acoustic performance.
  • Case Studies and Experimental Frameworks: Demonstrating real-world implementation of advanced acoustic and vibration control concepts.

We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, technical notes, and case studies that push the boundaries of knowledge in these domains. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review by subject matter experts to ensure academic quality and relevance.

This Special Issue represents a unique opportunity to foster dialogue and collaboration among acousticians, architects, engineers, urban planners, and material scientists. Together, we can redefine the role of acoustics and vibration in shaping sustainable, healthy, and inclusive spaces for the future.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to make this edition a benchmark for innovation in architectural acoustics and vibration control.

Dr. Sanjay Kumar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • architectural acoustics 
  • vibration control 
  • architectural landscape 
  • acoustic solutions 
  • noise reduction 
  • sustainable acoustic design 
  • acoustic materials 
  • human perception of sound 
  • building resilience 
  • acoustic modeling
  • environmental impact of acoustics 
  • passive acoustic design 
  • innovative vibration mitigation 
  • acoustic comfort
  • concert hall acoustics 
  • open office acoustics 
  • educational spaces acoustics

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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29 pages, 14670 KB  
Article
The Sonic Explorer: Assessing Angular Structure and Spatial Organization in Sonotopes
by Almo Farina
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 3619; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083619 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 237
Abstract
Understanding the spatial organization of environmental sounds is essential for linking acoustic patterns with landscape structure and ecological processes. While ecoacoustics has made substantial progress in the temporal and spectral analysis of soundscapes, their directional and spatial components remain comparatively underexplored, particularly through [...] Read more.
Understanding the spatial organization of environmental sounds is essential for linking acoustic patterns with landscape structure and ecological processes. While ecoacoustics has made substantial progress in the temporal and spectral analysis of soundscapes, their directional and spatial components remain comparatively underexplored, particularly through low-cost and scalable approaches. Here we introduce the Sonic Explorer, a lightweight rotational sonic device designed to explore the angular structure and the spatial dynamics of sonotopes, defined as homogeneous spatial sonic units within a soundscape. The system is based on two opposed supercardioid microphones mounted on a rotating platform, coupled with a custom signal-processing framework that analyzes directional variations in sound intensity across frequency classes. Rather than aiming at sound pressure level measurements or full-sphere sound field reconstruction, the Sonic Explorer focuses on detecting spatial contrasts, dominant sound directions, and angular sound patterns relevant to ecological interpretation. Field tests conducted in a human-modified environment demonstrate the ability of the device to identify coherent directional acoustic structures associated with landscape configuration and dominant sound sources. The proposed approach provides a new practical and exploratory tool for landscape and soundscape research, enabling spatially explicit interpretations of sonic environments while maintaining low cost, portability, and adaptability. Full article
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26 pages, 5182 KB  
Article
Influence of Sound Scattering on the Reverberation Time of a Shoebox Auditorium Using Room Acoustics Modelling
by Andreia Pereira, Anna Gaspar, Luís Godinho, Diogo Mateus and Paulo Amado-Mendes
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 1960; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16041960 - 16 Feb 2026
Viewed by 456
Abstract
This paper focuses on examining the impact of introducing sound scattering in room acoustic modelling, using a ray tracing approach. A parametric study is conducted on a simplified shoebox auditorium, isolating distinct factors, such as the average absorption of the room, room geometry, [...] Read more.
This paper focuses on examining the impact of introducing sound scattering in room acoustic modelling, using a ray tracing approach. A parametric study is conducted on a simplified shoebox auditorium, isolating distinct factors, such as the average absorption of the room, room geometry, volume of the space or the introduction of prismatic-shape diffusers. Diffusion is considered by assigning a scattering coefficient (s) to the surfaces, except in the analysis of a prismatic diffuser, which is modelled using a geometric approach. Changes in the reverberation time are analyzed alongside their corresponding just noticeable differences (JNDs). It was found that sound scattering can reduce reverberation time, especially in rooms with parallel walls, but only when sufficient and well-distributed sound absorption is present. Geometric modifications that remove parallelism reduce flutter echoes and can decrease reliance on scattering. Volume scaling of a room has negligible perceptual influence on sound scattering, whereas modifying room proportions offers a stronger influence on reverberation perception. Prismatic diffusers provide efficient geometric diffusion, achieving outcomes comparable to flat surfaces assigned with medium sound scattering coefficients. Full article
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26 pages, 3032 KB  
Article
Innovative Approaches to Acoustic Comfort in Vehicles: Experimental Assessment and Strategic Noise Reduction Solutions
by Petruța Blaga, Bianca-Mihaela Cășeriu and Cristina Veres
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020580 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 835
Abstract
This study presents a rigorous experimental investigation of in-cabin acoustic comfort across a heterogeneous set of road and special-purpose vehicles. Interior noise measurements were conducted on a total of 35 vehicles, comprising five vehicles from each of seven operational categories, grouped according to [...] Read more.
This study presents a rigorous experimental investigation of in-cabin acoustic comfort across a heterogeneous set of road and special-purpose vehicles. Interior noise measurements were conducted on a total of 35 vehicles, comprising five vehicles from each of seven operational categories, grouped according to RNTR-2 regulations into three distinct vehicle classes: N1, N2, and N2G. The adopted research methodology ensures a unified, phenomenological, and experimental approach to the assessment of interior vehicle acoustics, enabling consistent data acquisition and comparative analysis across vehicle classes. Measurements were performed under both stationary and dynamic operating conditions using Class 1 precision instrumentation. The experimental results reveal systematic differences in acoustic performance between vehicle classes. While N1 and N2 vehicles generally comply with recommended comfort thresholds, N2G special-purpose vehicles exhibit significantly elevated interior noise levels, reaching up to 90 dBA during dynamic operation, together with increased variability at higher engine regimes. These findings highlight the influence of vehicle architecture, operational conditions, and mission-oriented design constraints on vibro-acoustic behavior. Passive noise control solutions based on advanced sound-absorbing and sound-insulating materials were further evaluated, demonstrating interior noise reductions of up to 10 dBA. The scientific contribution of this work lies in the establishment of a unified, reproducible methodology that enables direct cross-category comparison of in-cabin acoustic comfort while explicitly integrating special-purpose vehicles into a comfort-oriented analytical paradigm. By moving beyond regulatory compliance toward a multidimensional interpretation of acoustic comfort, the study provides a robust foundation for vehicle design optimization and supports the future development of dedicated comfort assessment standards. Full article
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Review

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34 pages, 444 KB  
Review
Urban Soundscapes and Noise Assessment: Key Insights from ANSI, ASTM, and ISO Standards
by Sanjay Kumar
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031174 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 857
Abstract
Urban noise and soundscape assessment is critical for sustainable, human-centered city planning. A comprehensive overview of key standards is essential to ensure consistent measurements, enable cross-study comparisons, and support practical applications. This review examines standards from the American National Standards Institute/Acoustical Society of [...] Read more.
Urban noise and soundscape assessment is critical for sustainable, human-centered city planning. A comprehensive overview of key standards is essential to ensure consistent measurements, enable cross-study comparisons, and support practical applications. This review examines standards from the American National Standards Institute/Acoustical Society of America (ANSI/ASA), ASTM International, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), highlighting their principles, methodologies, and roles in evaluating urban acoustic environments. It discusses how these standards facilitate accurate noise quantification, capture human perceptual responses, and guide soundscape design and management across occupational, community, and experimental settings. Standardized questionnaires, rating scales, and perceptual frameworks are also reviewed. Finally, this paper identifies gaps in current guidance, including limited approaches to continuous monitoring, cultural adaptation, multisensory interactions, and integration with urban planning. Full article
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