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Towards Circularity: A Qualitative Study of Circularity Adoption in Australian Architectural Practice -
From Shelter to Healing Environments: A Systematic Review of Healing Architecture Informing Humanitarian Settlement Planning for Displaced Communities -
Retrofitting a Grade II Listed Building for Operational Carbon Reduction and Climate Resilience: The Inland Revenue Centre Case Study, Nottingham, UK
Journal Description
Architecture
Architecture
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on studies related to architectural research published quarterly online by MDPI. The International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) is affiliated with Architecture and its members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within ESCI (Web of Science), Scopus, and other databases.
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 21.4 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 4.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2026).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
- Architecture is a companion journal of Buildings and Sustainability.
- Journal Cluster of Civil Engineering and Built Environment: Acoustics, Architecture, Buildings, CivilEng, Construction Materials, Infrastructures, Intelligent Infrastructure and Construction, NDT and Vibration.
Impact Factor:
2.1 (2025);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.1 (2025)
Latest Articles
A MIVES-Based Multi-Criteria Framework for Assessing Courtyard–Biophilic Integration in Sustainable Architecture
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030128 - 4 Aug 2026
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Courtyards and biophilic design have each been associated with improved environmental performance, occupant well-being, and architectural quality. However, their integration has received limited scholarly attention, and no comprehensive assessment framework currently exists to evaluate their combined contribution to sustainable architecture. This study addresses
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Courtyards and biophilic design have each been associated with improved environmental performance, occupant well-being, and architectural quality. However, their integration has received limited scholarly attention, and no comprehensive assessment framework currently exists to evaluate their combined contribution to sustainable architecture. This study addresses this gap by proposing a conceptual assessment framework based on the Integrated Value Model for Sustainability Assessment (MIVES). The framework draws on the literature from courtyard architecture, biophilic design, environmental psychology, and multi-criteria decision analysis. It adopts a hierarchical structure comprising requirements, criteria, and indicators related to environmental sustainability, biophilic quality, human well-being, and functional resilience. The framework also incorporates preliminary weighting strategies and value-function concepts to support the integration of diverse performance dimensions within a unified assessment structure. Rather than providing a validated assessment tool, the proposed framework establishes a conceptual foundation for future empirical calibration and testing while supporting more holistic evaluation of courtyard–biophilic integration across diverse climatic and cultural contexts.
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Open AccessSystematic Review
Mapping Sensory Modalities, Cognitive Outcomes, and Neurophysiological Measures in Restorative Environment Research: A Systematic Review
by
Ela Bilgin and Mehmet Emin Şalgamcıoğlu
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030127 - 3 Aug 2026
Abstract
Restorative environments have been widely associated with stress reduction, psychological recovery, and improved well-being; however, evidence regarding cognitive performance remains methodologically fragmented, particularly across sensory modalities and neurophysiological assessment approaches. This systematic review examined the relationship between restorative environments and cognitive performance, with
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Restorative environments have been widely associated with stress reduction, psychological recovery, and improved well-being; however, evidence regarding cognitive performance remains methodologically fragmented, particularly across sensory modalities and neurophysiological assessment approaches. This systematic review examined the relationship between restorative environments and cognitive performance, with specific attention to sensory modality, cognitive domain, and the neuroscientific and physiological methods used to assess these effects. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020. Peer-reviewed studies published in English from 2000 onward were identified through PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO, with the final search conducted on 31 March 2026. Eligible studies involved healthy human participants exposed to restorative environmental conditions in built, natural, or simulated settings and included at least one objective measure of cognitive performance together with at least one central nervous system or autonomic nervous system measure. Due to substantial methodological heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively. Of the 517 records identified, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria: visual (n = 13), auditory (n = 1), thermal (n = 8), olfactory (n = 1), and multisensory (n = 3). Across the 26 included studies, study-level effect directions were predominantly mixed, comprising 13 mixed, 6 positive, 4 neutral, and 3 negative classifications. Visual studies showed the clearest recurring favorable pattern, particularly for attention-related performance and selected working-memory outcomes. Thermal effects were condition-dependent, whereas evidence for auditory, olfactory, and multisensory modalities remained limited and mixed. Overall, the strength and consistency of the findings varied substantially according to sensory modality, exposure design, and assessment method. The evidence base was uneven across sensory modalities and showed considerable heterogeneity in intervention design, exposure characteristics, cognitive tasks, and neurophysiological outcomes. These findings provide a structured, modality-specific map of how restorative environments have been linked with cognitive performance while highlighting the need for more methodologically consistent research, particularly on underexplored non-visual, tactile, and multisensory pathways.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Methodological Protocol for Identifying Heritage Attributes in World Heritage Properties: The Alcázar of Seville
by
Soledad González-Arques, Julia Rey-Pérez, Beatriz Castellano-Bravo and Reyes Ojeda-Calvo
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030126 - 3 Aug 2026
Abstract
Cultural heritage management today faces the challenge of addressing increasingly complex realities. In this context, international organisations focus on identifying heritage attributes that consider not only physical and artistic values, but also symbolic, social and environmental dimensions, a task that has been implemented
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Cultural heritage management today faces the challenge of addressing increasingly complex realities. In this context, international organisations focus on identifying heritage attributes that consider not only physical and artistic values, but also symbolic, social and environmental dimensions, a task that has been implemented in recent years and in which significant progress has been made. The aim of this research is to develop a detailed protocol for identifying heritage attributes, using the Alcázar of Seville, a World Heritage Site, as an example. Based on a consolidated methodology, the aim is to outline the work process by identifying the sequence of tasks from the collection, selection and distribution of information to the formation of the transdisciplinary team, the analysis process and the selection of attributes. The result shows a sequenced process in which a wide range of material is reviewed in depth from various disciplines, allowing the identification of attributes beyond cultural significance. This methodological update involves increasing the size of the transdisciplinary team and taking a more social approach to the management of this heritage. The proposal takes the form of a useful working tool for heritage professionals and public administrations responsible for managing world heritage properties.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
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Digital Reconstruction of a Historical Urban Landscape Using Multi-Layer Cartographic Analysis: Case Study of Sumy City, Ukraine
by
Ihor Tytarenko and Ivan Pavlenko
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030125 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2026
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The anthropogenic transformation of modern European cities over the past centuries has been characterized by a gradual transition from a natural defensive landscape to a dense modern urban structure. This study aims to reconstruct the historical urban landscape of Sumy (Ukraine) by integrating
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The anthropogenic transformation of modern European cities over the past centuries has been characterized by a gradual transition from a natural defensive landscape to a dense modern urban structure. This study aims to reconstruct the historical urban landscape of Sumy (Ukraine) by integrating archival cartographic materials into a digital three-dimensional model to support heritage preservation and post-war urban planning. The proposed methodology combines retrospective source analysis, comparative cartographic assessment, and GIS-based georeferencing. These approaches are used to evaluate the accuracy, scale, and reliability of historical maps. The study analyzed 18 archival maps of the city of Sumy covering the period from the 1670s to 2025. A comparative assessment enabled the selection of 4 representative cartographic sources for reconstructing the historical urban landscape. A GIS-based methodology for georeferencing archival maps was developed and validated in QGIS v.3.44.11. It used the Google Hybrid basemap in the WGS 84/Pseudo-Mercator coordinate reference system (CRS) with identifier EPSG:3857. The methodology employed a first-order affine transformation, a cubic resampling kernel (4 × 4), and 15 stable ground control points (GCPs). This ensured spatial compatibility between historical cartographic materials, contemporary geospatial datasets, and topographic-geodetic reference frameworks. The proposed approach achieved an RMS georeferencing error of 2–9 m, depending on the historical period, the accuracy, and the scale of the original cartographic sources. Furthermore, the methodology enabled the identification of three classes of anthropogenic landscape transformation (minimal, moderate, and critical). As a result, it provided a comprehensive spatio-temporal representation of the historical evolution of the urban landscape. The resulting 3D model provides a reliable geospatial framework for documenting the historical morphology of Sumy and supports future interdisciplinary studies in heritage conservation, urban planning, and post-war reconstruction. The proposed methodology can also be applied to other historical cities where archival cartographic materials constitute the primary source for reconstructing long-term landscape evolution.
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Open AccessArticle
Streetscape Design and Population-Level Walking Activity in Santiago, Chile
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María Verónica Ramírez Pardo, Mohammad Paydar and Asal Kamani Fard
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030124 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2026
Abstract
Rapid urbanization, automobile dependence, and declining public-space quality have increased interest in how street-level environments influence pedestrian activity and urban vitality. Although prior research has focused on macro-scale urban form and individual walking behavior, fewer studies have examined population-level pedestrian activity and micro-scale
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Rapid urbanization, automobile dependence, and declining public-space quality have increased interest in how street-level environments influence pedestrian activity and urban vitality. Although prior research has focused on macro-scale urban form and individual walking behavior, fewer studies have examined population-level pedestrian activity and micro-scale streetscape characteristics, particularly in socioeconomically segregated Latin American cities. This study explores the relationship between pedestrian activity and street-level built environment characteristics in middle-income neighborhoods of Santiago. The analysis included 514 street segments across seven neighborhoods using a modified Pedestrian Environment Data Scan (PEDS) audit instrument assessing destinations, street functionality, safety, aesthetics, and urban design qualities. Pedestrian activity was measured through repeated pedestrian counts conducted during two observation periods in 2025. Street segments were categorized into low, medium, and high activity levels, and multinomial logistic regression models were applied. Results showed that several micro-scale streetscape characteristics were significantly associated with pedestrian activity. Tree presence, sidewalk width, landmark visibility, and street-name visibility were consistently linked to higher pedestrian activity across both periods. Building height, enclosure, benches, segment monitoring, and on-street parking were also significant in at least one model. These findings highlight the importance of micro-scale urban design in promoting walkable and socially vibrant urban environments. Overall, greener, more legible, and pedestrian-oriented streets were consistently associated with higher levels of pedestrian activity.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environments and Human Wellbeing, 2nd Edition)
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Open AccessArticle
Evaluating AI Integration Maturity in Architectural Practices in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Comparative Benchmark Study
by
Rawand A. MohammedAmin and Hardi K. Abdullah
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030123 - 31 Jul 2026
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being integrated into the architectural profession via processes such as generating images based on design parameters; providing support to help create written descriptions of designs; assisting in the visualisation of buildings before they are built; allowing for greater use
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being integrated into the architectural profession via processes such as generating images based on design parameters; providing support to help create written descriptions of designs; assisting in the visualisation of buildings before they are built; allowing for greater use of parameters in construction; providing documentation to help complete projects in record time; and assisting in making design decisions. The success of integrating AI into practice depends not only on the use of tools but also on firms’ maturity in integrating AI into their workflows, employees’ capabilities, project teams’ operational efficiency, the impact of investment decisions, and the overall governance of the profession. This research evaluates the maturity of AI integration in architectural practice in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. To do so, it develops and operationalises the AI Integration Maturity Index (AIMI), an eight-component formative composite index scored 0–37 and organised into five maturity bands (Non-adopter, Exploratory, Occasional, Integrated, and Advanced Strategic). The index comprises adoption, usage, diversity of tools, breadth of workflows, project penetration, staff involvement, training/capacity building, and governance/strategic focus. The AIMI is treated as a literature-derived formative diagnostic tool rather than a universal weighting standard, and was developed through a structured literature synthesis, expert pilot review, and internal-structure validation. Accordingly, its component logic and internal statistics are reported as a transparency and coherence check rather than as reflective reliability claims: Cronbach’s alpha (0.922) is presented descriptively to show component co-movement given the formative specification, while inter-coder reliability (kappa = 0.96) supports the qualitative benchmark coding. The study employs a mixed-methods descriptive comparative methodology consisting of a structured survey instrument administered to 100 architectural firms operating in the local market and structured asynchronous text-based interviews with 10 international architectural firms, comparing the resulting profiles with selected, generally accepted benchmarks and with a sample of leading firms engaged in architectural practice worldwide. On average, total AIMI scores in the local sample were 18.14 out of 37, indicating that local firms are broadly adopting and using AI (82% currently use AI on a regular or occasional basis). By contrast, the international sample yielded a mean AIMI score of 28.60, indicating that local firms exhibit a significantly lower level of maturity than the international benchmark, with the largest gaps in staff involvement, project penetration, and overall engagement with AI use. The paper concludes that the primary challenge facing architectural firms in the Kurdistan Region is no longer basic awareness or technological infrastructure, but rather the transition from broad and superficial AI adoption to a systematic, structured, project-based, and well-governed integration of AI within the architectural profession.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Design and AI in Architecture: Methods, Evaluation, and Design Integration)
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Open AccessArticle
Architect’s Role Between Data-Driven and Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Design
by
Sladjana Markovic, Ana Nikezic and Irina Miodragovic Vella
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030122 - 31 Jul 2026
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In contemporary scientific disciplines, there is an increasing interest in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) as a cornerstone of data-driven intelligence (DDI). While DDI has not yet been fully integrated into architectural design, AI has already begun to exert a notable influence on design
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In contemporary scientific disciplines, there is an increasing interest in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) as a cornerstone of data-driven intelligence (DDI). While DDI has not yet been fully integrated into architectural design, AI has already begun to exert a notable influence on design practices. Current discourse on architectural design in the digital age provides critical insights into the evolving role of the architect. The transformation extends beyond the adoption of new tools and techniques, reconfiguring the organisation of architectural knowledge, decision-making and authorship. The paper’s methodology is structured around two primary conceptual threads, analysed through a comparative lens. It employs the “digital chain” (first thread) model as a conceptual framework to integrate DDI and to compare it with emerging AI-based approaches. Aligned with the thematic focus of the recent eCAADe 2024 and 2025 conferences (second thread), the study identifies key shifts within contemporary architectural practice. The findings from the analysed sample suggest a transition from structured, rule-based workflows to more adaptive, AI-supported design. This shift is associated with a reconfiguration of the architect’s role within hybrid human–AI environments, remaining responsible for defining the core design. The aim of the study is to develop a framework for interpreting the potential integration of AI into architectural design, emphasising the role of the architect in guiding computational processes and maintaining architectural intent. It provides a structured perspective on the relationship between DDI and AI, supporting a critical reassessment of the architect’s position within emerging digital paradigms and contemporary architectural culture.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architecture in the Digital Age)
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Semantic Comparison of Architectural Terms: A Computational Contextual Analysis
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Gledis Gjata and Satoshi Yamada
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030121 - 29 Jul 2026
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We compare six purposively selected term pairs using an English-language web corpus composed mainly of encyclopedic sources: engawa/veranda, tsuboniwa/impluvium, shōji/fusuma, tokonoma/chigaidana, ma/mu, and wabi/sabi. The pairs form three groups: cross-cultural comparisons, related Japanese architectural elements, and conceptual or aesthetic pairings. The study applies
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We compare six purposively selected term pairs using an English-language web corpus composed mainly of encyclopedic sources: engawa/veranda, tsuboniwa/impluvium, shōji/fusuma, tokonoma/chigaidana, ma/mu, and wabi/sabi. The pairs form three groups: cross-cultural comparisons, related Japanese architectural elements, and conceptual or aesthetic pairings. The study applies an audited corpus-based Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) analysis. Each pair is tested across predefined seed-based fields under FULL corpus conditions and CLEAN conditions that remove glossary-like and explicitly definitional sentences. In the tested corpus, the pairs do not behave as simple equivalents or oppositions. In cross-cultural comparisons, engawa is more strongly associated with indoor–outdoor boundary vocabulary, while narrowly specified boundary and transitional probes also favor engawa; veranda is more strongly linked to circulation and sheltered outdoor use. Tsuboniwa leans toward meanings of miniature gardens, whereas impluvium is strongly associated with water, basins, and Roman domestic systems. Within Japanese architectural vocabulary, fusuma dominates partition-related fields, whereas tokonoma and chigaidana remain mostly weak or non-separating. Among abstract terms, ma and mu show an asymmetric bidirectional pattern, with correction-supported separation more consistent for ma-directed than for mu-directed fields. Wabi and sabi show high contextual similarity in the selected English-language corpus, with correction-supported separation only for impermanence and melancholy. The field comparisons identify where the paired terms differ, where no difference was detected, and where one term was more strongly associated with several fields. The findings concern contextual usage in this corpus rather than definitive architectural, historical, or philosophical meanings of the terms.
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Designing Smart Adaptive Dynamic Facades: A Strategic Approach for Educational Buildings in Oman
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Mohamed Faisal Al-Kazee, Mohammadjavad Mahdavinejad and Rashid Said Al-Abri
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030120 - 28 Jul 2026
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The dynamic nature of daylight and occupant position can cause issues such as overheating and visual discomfort that must be monitored during real-time use. Dynamic adaptive facades have emerged as a promising solution for educational buildings to prevent daylight glare and enhance daylight
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The dynamic nature of daylight and occupant position can cause issues such as overheating and visual discomfort that must be monitored during real-time use. Dynamic adaptive facades have emerged as a promising solution for educational buildings to prevent daylight glare and enhance daylight performance for students’ comfort. Based on recent progress in the construction and development of renewable energy technologies, adaptive facades can act as collectors of electrical energy in the form of photovoltaic cells to provide the required energy, in addition to improving internal performance. This research seeks to maximize the performance of a professional adaptive facade called Pioneer Adaptive Dynamic Facade (PADF) by searching for solutions based on the kinetics and type of adaptability of the facade and considering the position of the occupants. The solution of adaptability and type of mobility has been developed based on the extraction of the PADF control strategies. In this study, three strategies based on the season, the occupant’s position, and manual control are used to control the PADF. The methodology of this research is designed to compare the PADF in strict competition with regular shades such as simple horizontal louvers. The results show that the strategies for adaptive control of the PADF, in addition to improving the comfort conditions, reducing the cooling load, and providing sufficient daylight for the space, provide the maximum amount of solar radiation for the production of electricity.
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Degradation of Passive Thermal Performance in Colonial School Buildings Under Climate Change: Implications for Cognitive Function
by
Wiwik Budiawan, Heru Prastawa, Massadhib Abiyyu Hermanto and Nada Syarifah Rahadi
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030119 - 28 Jul 2026
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This study investigates the degradation of indoor environmental performance in a colonial-era school building under current tropical climate conditions and its implications for occupant comfort and cognitive function. A field study involving 30 students over 18 days was conducted, integrating environmental measurements, subjective
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This study investigates the degradation of indoor environmental performance in a colonial-era school building under current tropical climate conditions and its implications for occupant comfort and cognitive function. A field study involving 30 students over 18 days was conducted, integrating environmental measurements, subjective responses, and cognitive tests (attention and working memory). Results indicate that indoor air temperature, relative humidity, and illuminance exceeded recommended standards, resulting in elevated PMV (≈1.5) and PPD (>50%), reflecting thermally uncomfortable conditions. Statistical analysis revealed significant negative relationships between thermal stress indicators (PMV and HSSI) and cognitive performance (r up to −0.94). In contrast, lighting showed no significant effect, likely due to the measured illuminance at the representative measurement point. These findings suggest that passive design strategies in colonial buildings are no longer sufficient under current climatic conditions and may compromise learning performance. The study highlights the need for adaptive design interventions to maintain indoor environmental quality in tropical educational buildings.
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Open AccessReview
A Review of Research Progress on the Deterioration Mechanisms and Conservation Treatments of Earthen Heritage Sites in China
by
Zhihao Wan, Jingjing Shao, Lijuan Wang and Bo Li
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030118 - 24 Jul 2026
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As tangible witnesses and cultural carriers of the evolution of Chinese civilization, earthen heritage sites embody outstanding historical, cultural, and scientific value. However, due to the heterogeneity among sites and their long-term exposure to complex environmental and anthropogenic pressures, their conservation faces numerous
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As tangible witnesses and cultural carriers of the evolution of Chinese civilization, earthen heritage sites embody outstanding historical, cultural, and scientific value. However, due to the heterogeneity among sites and their long-term exposure to complex environmental and anthropogenic pressures, their conservation faces numerous challenges. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the deterioration mechanisms of earthen heritage sites in China induced by environmental and anthropogenic factors, with particular emphasis on the effects of individual factors, such as salt-induced erosion, wetting–drying cycles, wind erosion, microbial activity, freeze–thaw cycles, and human activities, as well as the coupled actions of multiple factors. It further summarizes recent progress in protective technologies developed in response to these mechanisms, as well as integrated conservation strategies for coping with coupled deterioration effects. In recent years, the intrinsic linkage mechanisms between external environmental conditions and the engineering performance of earthen heritage sites have become a research focus. This review aims to deepen the understanding of environmental degradation processes in earthen heritage sites and to provide theoretical and technical support for the scientific formulation of targeted preventive conservation, repair, and strengthening measures.
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Spatial Mismatch and Educational Spatial Injustice: Enhancing Urban Resilience in a Mexican Intermediate City
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Jesús Abelardo Licón-Portillo, Karen Estrella Martínez-Torres, Gabriela Carmona-Ochoa, Peter Chung-Alonso and Adaliz Catalina Martínez-Hernández
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030117 - 22 Jul 2026
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Fragmented urban growth in Latin American intermediate cities has increasingly displaced low-income populations to peripheral areas, creating spatial mismatches between residential areas and educational opportunities provided by public higher education institutions. These patterns reflect inequalities that constrain educational accessibility and limit urban resilience.
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Fragmented urban growth in Latin American intermediate cities has increasingly displaced low-income populations to peripheral areas, creating spatial mismatches between residential areas and educational opportunities provided by public higher education institutions. These patterns reflect inequalities that constrain educational accessibility and limit urban resilience. To examine these dynamics, this study applies a geospatial framework to develop an Educational Spatial Injustice Index (ESII) that quantifies disparities in Chihuahua, Mexico. Mobility metrics derived from Google Maps API are combined with census microdata, to analyze 108 high-demand census tracts (AGEBs) linked with seven public higher education institutions. The ESII is constructed through a multi-criteria weighting scheme based on travel time, monetary cost and network distance. Results show a clear north–south pattern, with higher ESII values concentrated in southern peripheries (0.85/1.0), where mean daily travel time reaches 3.45 h. Statistical analysis shows that the Social Lag Index (IRS; ρ = 0.729) has the strongest association with the Global ESII. Furthermore, spatial regression modeling reveals that while operational transit connectivity (bus routes) is a significant mitigating factor (p < 0.001), the mere physical presence of infrastructure (bus stops) is not. These findings suggest that spatial injustice in educational accessibility is more deeply rooted in structural urban growth patterns and socio-spatial inequalities than in simple infrastructure provision. The results support targeted planning strategies to improve accessibility and strengthen urban resilience in intermediate cities.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilience and Sustainability in Architecture and Urban Planning: Policies, Practices, Strategies and Visions, 2nd Edition)
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Climate-Aided Regeneration of Modernist and Brutalist Heritage in Fragile Mediterranean Contexts: The Cases of the Egg and the St. George Hotel in Beirut
by
Khaled Mohamed, Angelo Figliola and Mahmoud Ali
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030116 - 18 Jul 2026
Abstract
The paper addresses the intersection between modern built heritage preservation and Climate-Aided Design (CADe) processes in fragile coastal Mediterranean contexts. The study focuses on the city of Beirut in Lebanon, part of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region and considered a
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The paper addresses the intersection between modern built heritage preservation and Climate-Aided Design (CADe) processes in fragile coastal Mediterranean contexts. The study focuses on the city of Beirut in Lebanon, part of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region and considered a climate change hotspot facing extreme challenges. Rapid urbanization and socio-political instability, especially during the twentieth century, have undermined the city’s ability to mitigate and adapt to future climate change scenarios. Moreover, Beirut’s modern built heritage faces a constant threat of demolition due to the absence of protective legislation, compounded by aggressive real-estate development ambitions. The hypothesis is that the integration of climatic data and regenerative design with modern cultural heritage classification frameworks can aid the preservation process, drive a more adaptive and inclusive approach to urban regeneration, and inform legislative integration of climate adaptation in conservation frameworks. To test this hypothesis, a multi-scalar case-study-based methodology is adopted using a combination of digital tools to assess and analyze the current and future impacts of climate change on two main case studies. First, the St. George Hotel & Bay, one of the first reinforced concrete recreational buildings in the city, was built during the French Mandate (1920–1946) and is vulnerable to sea-level rise, flooding, and demolition. Second, the Beirut City Center “The Egg”, a Brutalist structure built during Beirut’s modernist “golden era”, which is prone to structural deterioration and demolition. The main objective is to highlight 20th-century built heritage as part of Beirut’s spatial narrative worthy of conservation and rehabilitation by analyzing their capability to adapt to, mitigate, or benefit from future environmental risk. Ultimately, the study explores their potential to catalyze climate-resilient urban regeneration practices in the city. Results show that the integration of current and future forecast environmental analyses informed early preservation and intervention decision-making stages to position 20th-century modern built heritage as an asset to climate action in addition to being a socio-cultural and economic asset.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Adaptation and Resilience of Buildings and Communities)
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Fostering Transformative Resilience Through Participatory Design: A Case Study of Mohammad Amin Camp, Amman, Jordan
by
Islam A. Alshafei, Samah Mohammed AlDweik, Mahmoud Ali Hassouneh and Abdellatif A. Jarrar
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030115 - 17 Jul 2026
Abstract
This qualitative case study examines the feasibility of introducing transformative resilience in the informal settlement of Mohammad Amin Camp in Amman, Jordan. A participatory design approach was adopted, combining community workshops, focus-group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and spatial mapping to explain the urban challenges
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This qualitative case study examines the feasibility of introducing transformative resilience in the informal settlement of Mohammad Amin Camp in Amman, Jordan. A participatory design approach was adopted, combining community workshops, focus-group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and spatial mapping to explain the urban challenges faced by people living in the camp. Themes associated with data collection were the need for social spaces, better waste management, and greater mobility. The findings suggest that community-defined resilience priorities extend beyond physical infrastructure improvements to include social interaction, accessibility, environmental quality, and local ownership, highlighting the value of participatory design in identifying context-specific resilience needs. Guided by the Enabling–Enacting–Envisioning framework, this study translated community knowledge into actionable urban design strategies, illustrating how participatory design can foster transformative resilience through integrated environmental, social, and governance interventions. Key interventions include the creation of green spaces, improved pedestrian pathways, community gathering spaces, and integrated waste management and fire safety measures. The proposed interventions address immediate urban challenges while strengthening long-term resilience through enhanced social cohesion, environmental adaptability, and community capacity. This study illustrates that participatory, small-scale spatial interventions can inform grounded and context-specific urban regeneration, offering practical insights for planners and policymakers working in informal settlement contexts.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Participatory Design to Transformative Resilience)
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Open AccessArticle
Urban Heritage After War Destruction: Heritage Dynamics in the Buffer Zone of Aachen Cathedral
by
F.-Javier Ostos-Prieto, Germán Herruzo-Domínguez, José-Manuel Aladro-Prieto and Christa Reicher
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030114 - 16 Jul 2026
Abstract
The devastation of cultural heritage after the Second World War led to the establishment of international organisations committed to its protection, such as UNESCO. The near-total destruction of Aachen’s historic city centre led to profound changes, including reconstruction and the incorporation of contemporary
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The devastation of cultural heritage after the Second World War led to the establishment of international organisations committed to its protection, such as UNESCO. The near-total destruction of Aachen’s historic city centre led to profound changes, including reconstruction and the incorporation of contemporary architecture, which established a new heritage identity. Against the backdrop of the reconstruction and reaffirmation of European identity, Aachen Cathedral was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. Since then, the concept of heritage has evolved to encompass a broader and more inclusive understanding. In 2013, it incorporated a buffer zone to protect the cathedral’s surroundings. In this scenario, the question arises: how is the coexistance between the historical and the contemporary within a UNESCO heritage context? The main objective is to analyse the coexistance between the heritage of historic and contemporary buildings within the buffer zone of Aachen Cathedral. We base the methodology on a comparative study of the catalogue files of 405 protected buildings, taking into account variables such as the year of protection, date of construction, possible reconstructions and current uses. Preliminary results suggest that only 4% were protected after 2013, or that 55% of the buildings have been rebuilt. The results improve our understanding of the management and evolution of historic urban complexes in the context of UNESCO. It can be concluded that the concept of heritage goes beyond mere historical or universal significance, encompassing aspects such as identity and continuity, as well as the integration of contemporary interventions into the historical fabric.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
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Interior Detail as an Artefact, Reflecting Cultural Value and Architectural Style
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Alexandrina Nenkova and Anastasiya Kasheva
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030113 - 13 Jul 2026
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of architectural details and artefacts as cultural markers within the interior spaces of adaptively reused heritage buildings in Sofia’s historic urban centre. A comparative study was performed on three significant early twentieth-century residential
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The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of architectural details and artefacts as cultural markers within the interior spaces of adaptively reused heritage buildings in Sofia’s historic urban centre. A comparative study was performed on three significant early twentieth-century residential buildings: the house linked to the former ‘Excelsior’/‘Asen Zlatarov’ cinema complex at Blvd ‘Christo Botev’ N85, the former residence at Blvd ‘Christo Botev’ N75, and the building at Blvd ‘Stamboliyski’ N36—the latter two have both been transformed into hotels. The research employs an interdisciplinary methodology combining archival research, field surveys, photographic documentation, 3D laser scanning, and comparative stylistic analysis. The study’s principal contribution is the development of a transferable analytical framework for classifying interior details by function (constructive or decorative), location (enclosing surfaces, fixed furnishings, vertical circulation), and material—a framework not previously applied to this building stock in the Bulgarian context. The findings confirm that authentic interior details—including stair railings, flooring patterns, gypsum cornices, ornamental plasterwork, heating appliances, and joinery—function as reliable cultural artefacts and markers of historical period and stylistic identity. These details serve as evidence for dating, authenticating, and analysing the evolution of architectural style elements. Preserving and integrating these elements into adapted interiors strengthens architectural identity and supports the sustainable reuse of cultural heritage for contemporary purposes.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
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Open AccessArticle
Reworking Power Geometries: South–South Exchanges and the Transformation of Global Architectural Flows
by
Amit Srivastava, Vladimir Kulić and Peter Scriver
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030112 - 11 Jul 2026
Abstract
How did exchanges between the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors of postcolonial states challenge dominant patterns of North–South technology transfer, and actively begin to construct the substantive scaffolding of an alternative international order? This article proposes a theoretical framework for understanding South–South exchange
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How did exchanges between the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors of postcolonial states challenge dominant patterns of North–South technology transfer, and actively begin to construct the substantive scaffolding of an alternative international order? This article proposes a theoretical framework for understanding South–South exchange as a distinct spatial practice in postcolonial architectural history, recovering previously unexplored patterns of circulation—construction technologies, professional expertise, contracting capacity—that connected allegedly peripheral geographies spanning from Southeast Asia and Africa to the Caribbean and Southeast Europe. It draws on Doreen Massey’s concept of ‘power geometry’, Anna Tsing’s theorization of ‘friction’, and Édouard Glissant’s ‘archipelagic thinking’ to develop three analytical movements: Geometries, Powers, and Archipelagic Relations. Together these map the lateral circulation of expertise, technology, and labor among postcolonial nations operating outside the North-South and East–West axes around which twentieth-century architectural history has largely been organized. The paper argues that the prevailing diffusionist model resembles a two-body gravitational system that forecloses the possibility of lateral force, and treats South–South exchanges instead as orbital anomalies, persistent deviations from predicted paths that reveal an unseen distributed gravitational field. Rather than organizing around a metropolitan vertex, this field constitutes what computational geometry calls an ‘unstructured mesh’: contingent, uncentered, and variable in its local density. The mesh’s topology traces across a range of exchanges drawn from the forthcoming edited volume South–South: Non-Alignment and Cooperation in the Construction of the Global South, which brings together contributions from a dozen scholars of postcolonial architecture. The case studies include triangulations in which prefabrication technology traveled between Yugoslavia, Cuba, and Angola, and professional expertise looped between India, Africa and Europe. The motivational fields and frictions that drove and transformed each exchange are examined in turn. The article culminates in a reading of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Afro-Asian Housing Organisation (AAHO) through Glissant’s concepts of relation and opacity—the right of postcolonial actors to participate in exchange without becoming fully legible to Cold War systems that demanded every alignment be declared. By challenging prevailing narratives that position the ‘Global South’ primarily as recipient rather than generator of innovation, the article contributes to a decolonial architectural historiography that shows how the political project of Non-Alignment was substantively materialized in the production of the built environment. Recovering these alternate forms of architectural flow demands a South–South historiographical orientation as a corrective to the field’s persistent centeredness, and offers historical insight no less relevant today for rethinking the potential, and the challenges, of contemporary transnational cooperation.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue After the Global Turn: Current Colonial, Decolonial and Postcolonial Perspectives in Architecture)
Open AccessSystematic Review
Assessment Methods of Pedestrian Spatial Experience in Public and University Campus Spaces: A Systematic Comparative Review
by
Ahmed Amal Mamdouh Mohamed Fathallah, Mohammed Moustafa Mohammed Moustafa Ayoub and Nabil Ibrahim Fawzy Mohareb
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030111 - 10 Jul 2026
Abstract
Pedestrian Spatial Experience PSE in urban spaces is a multi-faceted topic that requires the thematization of assessment methods due to their fragmentation across studies. Accordingly, this systematic review followed an inductive approach to define a framework of PSE assessment themes reflecting their evaluation
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Pedestrian Spatial Experience PSE in urban spaces is a multi-faceted topic that requires the thematization of assessment methods due to their fragmentation across studies. Accordingly, this systematic review followed an inductive approach to define a framework of PSE assessment themes reflecting their evaluation in public and university campus spaces. This systematic review included open-access, accessible, peer-reviewed sources based on assessment-focused English research that followed defined frameworks on the effects of urban environments on adult PSE. Studies were excluded if they focused on non-pedestrians or vulnerable user groups, examined non-pedestrian-scale contexts, explored pedestrian experience in virtual environments, assessed interior spaces, lacked a structured attribute-based assessment framework, were review articles, did not specify how urban environments shape pedestrian experience, investigated non-urban or rural areas, or examined urban settings without clearly defined street or square infrastructure. The review relied on querying PSE-related bibliography from the Scopus and Web of Science databases on 12 October 2025; results were processed through a screening procedure according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The final sets of sources reviewed included 83 and 24 sources related to PSE assessment in public and university campus spaces, respectively. Risk of Bias (RoB) tools included the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool for cross-sectional studies, tailored for urban spatial studies, and the Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST+AI), tailored for ABM studies. Using a data extraction sheet and codebook to identify the prominent codes in the included sources, in addition to reviewing frequent words and the methods of the included sources, clarified the main conceptual framework of PSE assessment themes. The thematic categorization of PSE studies was followed by analyses of the frequencies of the themes, the prevalence of themes across countries and cities, and the theoretical explorations within the themes over the years in both reviewed contexts. Subsequently, synthesizing both sets clarified the interrelations between themes, methods, and tools as an attempt to address gaps in PSE assessment methods. The main results of this review are the 11 themes of PSE assessment that were identified from the reviewed sources. Data analyses and syntheses indicated a high prevalence of quantitative methods relying on visual aspects, signifying the dominance of the Cognitive and Navigational Experience theme due to its frequent assessment by numerous and diverse sets of methods in both reviewed sets. Nevertheless, the Temporal Experience theme emerged as the least considered. The key limitations of this systematic review include its reliance on accessible articles from bibliographic databases, as well as its focus on adult populations as the common users of public and university campus spaces. This review decodes PSE in terms of its assessment themes through the methods followed and the applied tools within real environments. As an application of the introduced conceptual framework, this systematic review clarifies the comparison of the themes examined between public and university campus spaces. The findings of this systematic review provide a foundation for a comprehensive understanding of PSE, thereby informing the design of more user-centered environments.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Campus Then and Now: Perspectives on University Architecture and Urbanism)
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Open AccessSystematic Review
Additive Manufacturing for Sustainable Construction 4.0: Trends, Opportunities, and Future Directions
by
Farhana Yasmin, Zixian Zhu and Ajit Devkota
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030110 - 10 Jul 2026
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) is applied in sustainable architecture and Construction 4.0 because it can support design flexibility, mass customization, material efficiency, and reduced reliance on conventional formwork. Prior reviews often addressed either construction applications or broader digital transformation, leaving the intersection of AM,
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Additive manufacturing (AM) is applied in sustainable architecture and Construction 4.0 because it can support design flexibility, mass customization, material efficiency, and reduced reliance on conventional formwork. Prior reviews often addressed either construction applications or broader digital transformation, leaving the intersection of AM, construction sustainability, digital technologies, and lifecycle performance underexplored. This study conducts a systematic and bibliometric review of literature retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science covering the period from January 2016 to January 2026. The review protocol followed SPAR-4-SLR principles and PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with 58 records retained for analysis. Bibliometric and thematic analyses identified a marked rise in publication activity after 2021 with four major research themes: material development and innovation, digital fabrication and process control, lifecycle assessment and circularity, and digital integration and project implementation. Construction 4.0 technologies, including BIM, digital twins, automation, and robotics, were the most frequently represented digital enablers. The review further identifies future research opportunities and outlines a proposed conceptual pathway toward Construction 5.0. This pathway connects materials, robotics, lifecycle performance, and human-centered priorities as a future research agenda. Overall, this study contributes to a more integrated understanding of how AM can advance sustainable, digitally enabled, and human-centered construction practice.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Gen BIM and Digital Construction Technologies)
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Open AccessArticle
2011–2022 from Guidance to Guidance: Methodological Update of Heritage Impact Assessments in Architectural Interventions
by
Marta García-Casasola, Soledad González Arques, José-Luis Gómez-Villa and Vidal Gómez Martínez
Architecture 2026, 6(3), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030109 - 7 Jul 2026
Abstract
Heritage Impact Assessments have become an essential tool for the architectural conservation of World Heritage Properties in recent years. To this end, the institutions responsible for overseeing management have been setting the pace by issuing methodological guides. Between the publication of the Guidance
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Heritage Impact Assessments have become an essential tool for the architectural conservation of World Heritage Properties in recent years. To this end, the institutions responsible for overseeing management have been setting the pace by issuing methodological guides. Between the publication of the Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties in 2011 and that of the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage context in 2022, ten years of continuous updating of the procedures have passed, reflecting the evolution of World Heritage management, for which the guidelines set out in the Faro Convention on the value of heritage for society (2005) set a milestone of reference.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Values in Sustainable Heritage Conservation: Between Theory and Practice)
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