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Architecture
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Responsive Interiors: Human-Centered Approaches to Interior Architecture and Design
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Responsive Interiors: Human-Centered Approaches to Interior Architecture and Design

A special issue of Architecture (ISSN 2673-8945).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 August 2026 | Viewed by 5493

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Elif Tural

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Design, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Interests: health and design; environment-behavior studies; community design and participation; lighting design; educational environments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Interiors play a vital role in shaping our experiences within the built environment. The interior spaces where we spend most of our time directly influence our comfort, cognition, productivity, and emotional and physical well-being. Across residential, workplace, healthcare, public, and civic design contexts, interior design decisions significantly impact the quality of life for diverse users. Research in environmental psychology, human factors, and neuroscience increasingly emphasizes the need for interior environments that are responsive to sensory perception, social interaction, accessibility, and cultural identity, as well as to broader cognitive, emotional, psychological, physiological, and environmental needs. At the same time, global challenges—including aging populations, climate change, and post-pandemic demands—require interior design strategies that are both human-centered and future-oriented.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for discourse on human-centered interior design, with a focus on how interior environments can be designed, evaluated, and theorized with a people-first approach.

We welcome original research articles and review papers that explore (but are not limited to) the following thematic areas:

  • Inclusive interiors for populations with diverse needs, including but not limited to older adults, neurodiverse users, people with disabilities, marginalized communities, and vulnerable populations.
  • Neuroarchitecture and cognitive-emotional impacts of interior spaces.
  • Sensory design, and biophilic design strategies.
  • Therapeutic and healthcare interior environments.
  • Adaptive, responsive, and smart interior technologies.
  • Workplace well-being and productivity-focused interior design.
  • Educational environments for student needs and preferences.
  • Cultural identity, psychological dimensions, and social justice in interior space.
  • Evidence-based interior design and architecture and post-occupancy evaluation.
  • Participatory and co-design approaches in interior practice.
  • Pedagogical innovations in human-centric design education.

Through this Special Issue, our goal is to compile a body of rigorous research that demonstrates how evidence-based interior architecture and design can enhance quality of life and well-being for all. 

Dr. Elif Tural
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. Architecture is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1200 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

  • human-centered design
  • responsive interiors
  • interior architecture
  • inclusive design
  • well-being
  • evidence-based design
  • neuroarchitecture
  • biophilic design

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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14 pages, 895 KB  
Article
Influence of Bathroom Cladding Materials on Users’ Perceived Well-Being
by María Luisa Nolé, Anakin Pagan, Antoni Montañana and Carmen Llinares
Architecture 2026, 6(2), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6020052 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 482
Abstract
In recent decades, bathroom design has undergone significant changes driven by technological advances, aesthetic trends, and social transformations. Despite their relevance to daily routines and quality of life, bathrooms remain underexplored with regard to how cladding materials influence users’ psychological experience. This study [...] Read more.
In recent decades, bathroom design has undergone significant changes driven by technological advances, aesthetic trends, and social transformations. Despite their relevance to daily routines and quality of life, bathrooms remain underexplored with regard to how cladding materials influence users’ psychological experience. This study aims to analyze the effects of different bathroom cladding materials on perception, emotional response, and purchase intention. An online experiment was conducted using a single-factor experimental design with five types of cladding materials (ceramic, vinyl, wood, microcement, and natural stone). A total of 58 participants evaluated five virtual bathroom stimuli through self-report measures assessing perceived well-being, perceived stress, perceived functionality, perceived aesthetic preference, perceived cost, emotional valence, and purchase intention. Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests. The results revealed significant differences across all perceptual dimensions depending on the cladding material. Wood and natural stone were associated with higher levels of perceived well-being and more pleasant emotional responses, whereas microcement was linked to higher perceived stress and lower aesthetic evaluations. In addition, affective variables—particularly aesthetic preference—emerged as the strongest predictors of purchase intention. These findings highlight the importance of bathroom materiality in shaping emotional experience and decision-making processes, and emphasize the role of cladding selection in promoting psychological well-being within domestic environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responsive Interiors: Human-Centered Approaches to Interior Architecture and Design)
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15 pages, 1475 KB  
Article
Prospect and Refuge in the Workplace: An Exploratory Pilot EEG Investigation of Desk Orientation and Hypervigilance Among Adults with ADHD
by Jinoh Park, Michelle Boyoung Huh, Marjan Miri, Melissa Hoelting, Samantha Flores, Yashaswini Karagaiah and Mahdi Afkhami
Architecture 2026, 6(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6020051 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 717
Abstract
Open-plan workplaces are often associated with increased sensory exposure, which may present challenges for adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition characterized by atypical arousal regulation and sensory sensitivity. Although the Prospect–Refuge Theory suggests that spatial configuration may influence perceived security and attentional [...] Read more.
Open-plan workplaces are often associated with increased sensory exposure, which may present challenges for adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition characterized by atypical arousal regulation and sensory sensitivity. Although the Prospect–Refuge Theory suggests that spatial configuration may influence perceived security and attentional states, objective neurophysiological evidence in workplace contexts remains limited. This exploratory pilot study employed a mixed design to examine whether desk orientation and office enclosure were associated with differences in neural activity among adults with ADHD (n = 6). Four desk configurations were tested within each office setting, while two office types (Open Office and Enclosed Private Office) were examined between participants. Neurophysiological data were collected using portable electroencephalography (EEG), and power spectral density (PSD) across canonical frequency bands was analyzed during standardized cognitive tasks. Results indicated context-dependent spatial effects. In the Open Office setting, configurations providing both outward visibility and visual backing were associated with lower beta and gamma power relative to orientations lacking these features. In the Enclosed Private Office, orientation-related differences were not statistically significant. These preliminary findings suggest that desk orientation may influence neural indicators of cognitive demand in open-plan environments. Given the small sample size, results should be interpreted cautiously but contribute initial physiological evidence to neurodiversity-informed workplace research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responsive Interiors: Human-Centered Approaches to Interior Architecture and Design)
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31 pages, 1379 KB  
Article
Sensory and Interactive Architectural Design Strategies for Inclusive Early Childhood Learning Environments Supporting Neurodevelopmental Diversity
by Heba M. Abdou and Nashwa A. Younis
Architecture 2026, 6(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6010044 - 11 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1602
Abstract
This study examines the perceived impact of sensory and interactive architectural design in inclusive learning environments on the sensory–emotional responses and behavioral–academic outcomes of children with neurodevelopmental disorders—namely Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder—during early childhood within the Egyptian educational context. [...] Read more.
This study examines the perceived impact of sensory and interactive architectural design in inclusive learning environments on the sensory–emotional responses and behavioral–academic outcomes of children with neurodevelopmental disorders—namely Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder—during early childhood within the Egyptian educational context. Adopting a perception-based, non-causal analytical perspective, a descriptive–analytical, survey-based design was implemented using a validated questionnaire developed from an architectural–educational conceptual framework grounded in relevant literature. The study involved (N = 202) parents, teachers, therapists, and caregivers who evaluated the perceived influence of environmental design elements on children’s sensory responses, behavior, social interaction, and academic performance, based on observational and experiential assessments rather than objective environmental performance measurements. The results indicated high perceived impacts on sensory–emotional responses (84.8%) and behavioral–academic outcomes (82.0%). Movement–spatial attributes showed the strongest influence, followed by balanced natural lighting, calming colors, natural materials, and low-noise acoustic conditions, while natural elements and sensory gardens played a regulatory role in supporting emotional stability and social interaction. The study concludes that sensory- and emotionally responsive architectural design, when understood as a supportive component of the educational experience rather than an independent causal factor, and integrated with appropriate pedagogical practices, contributes to inclusive learning environments accommodating neurodevelopmental diversity, while informing the development of an applied, evidence-informed architectural design framework that translates perceptual–correlational findings into structured and operational design guidelines adaptable to the Egyptian educational context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responsive Interiors: Human-Centered Approaches to Interior Architecture and Design)
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25 pages, 6832 KB  
Article
Biofeedback-Informed Assessment of Biophilic Interior Variables: A 23 IVR Factorial Study in Design Studio Interiors
by Yasemin Albayrak-Kutlay, Murat Bengisu and Emre Ergül
Architecture 2026, 6(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6010006 - 6 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 638
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of three biophilic interior design variables: natural light, interior vegetation (vertical green wall), and biomorphic form (biomorphic wall panel) on affective and physiological responses in a design studio interior utilizing immersive virtual reality (IVR) and wearable biofeedback technology. [...] Read more.
This study investigates the influence of three biophilic interior design variables: natural light, interior vegetation (vertical green wall), and biomorphic form (biomorphic wall panel) on affective and physiological responses in a design studio interior utilizing immersive virtual reality (IVR) and wearable biofeedback technology. This study was a within-participant 23 factorial design that included one baseline and eight IVR studio conditions. Participants experienced all conditions while reporting affects using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) valence and arousal scales, electrodermal activity (EDA), and skin temperature (ST). Cybersickness was measured with the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and presence was assessed using the Igroup Presence Questionnaire and Slater-Usoh-Steed presence measures (IPQ, SUS), while baseline anxiety (STAI) was controlled. The results demonstrated a significant primary influence of natural light on SAM valence ratings: conditions with natural light were evaluated as more pleasant than the non-variable and baseline condition, whereas interior vegetation and biomorphic form had smaller, context-dependent effects that were most evident when layered with natural light. Differences in SAM arousal ratings were modest and non-systematic. EDA did not differentiate, and ST showed only small shifts, indicating that during calm exploratory monitoring, subjective affect was more responsive. The circumplex findings guided to an activity-specific zoned interior rather than a single uniform design studio. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responsive Interiors: Human-Centered Approaches to Interior Architecture and Design)
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29 pages, 1273 KB  
Systematic Review
From Sensory Design to Regulatory Architecture: A Systematic Review of Inclusive Early Childhood Learning Environments for ASD, ADHD, and Down Syndrome
by Heba M. Abdou, Nanees Abdelhamid Elsayyad and Heba M. Hafez
Architecture 2026, 6(2), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6020064 - 15 Apr 2026
Viewed by 712
Abstract
This study presents a systematic review and an integrative interpretive synthesis of the architectural literature addressing sensory–interactive design strategies in early childhood learning environments that support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome (DS), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Following a [...] Read more.
This study presents a systematic review and an integrative interpretive synthesis of the architectural literature addressing sensory–interactive design strategies in early childhood learning environments that support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome (DS), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Following a systematic review conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, twenty-nine peer-reviewed studies were analyzed to examine how environmental design variables may influence sensory load, cognitive processing, emotional stability, and behavioral engagement across neurodevelopmental profiles. Rather than remaining within conventional descriptive approaches, architectural variables—including lighting, color, acoustics, materials, spatial configuration, and environmental controllability—are reconceptualized as regulatory dimensions shaping child–environment interactions. The synthesis suggests that identical environmental variables may elicit divergent, and at times conflicting, sensory–emotional and behavioral responses among children with ASD, DS, and ADHD, highlighting the limitations of standardized design solutions. Accordingly, the study proposes the Sensory–Interactive Architecture Framework (SIAF), an analytical framework that links neurodevelopmental response patterns with sensory–emotional regulation mechanisms and environmental design variables as regulatory dimensions. The findings indicate that effective inclusive design does not rely on generalized sensory interventions but rather on the deliberate regulation of sensory variability through more legible, graded, and controllable spatial systems, thereby promoting learning engagement, emotional stability, and adaptive behavior in neurodiverse children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responsive Interiors: Human-Centered Approaches to Interior Architecture and Design)
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