Built Environment Physics: The Impact of Acoustic, Thermal, and Spatial Factors on Occupant Well-Being

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2026 | Viewed by 144

Special Issue Editors

Building Environment and Energy Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
Interests: indoor environmental quality; acoustic quality; psychoacoustics; thermal comfort; indoor air quality; visual quality; classroom environment; showring environment
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Guest Editor
Healthy Living Spaces, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Interests: indoor soundscape; acoustic well-being; indoor environmental quality; acoustic quality; occupant well-being; study places

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The built environment significantly influences occupant well-being through the interplay of acoustic, thermal, and spatial factors. This Special Issue aims to explore how these elements shape the experience of individuals within various architectural spaces. Understanding the physics of the built environment is vital for creating spaces that not only meet functional requirements but also enhance comfort, health, and productivity.

We welcome original research (laboratory, field, and simulation studies), theoretical frameworks, and comprehensive reviews that address these critical areas. Relevant topics for submission include the following:

Acoustic Design Strategies: Innovations in soundproofing and noise reduction techniques to improve occupant comfort and well-being.

Thermal Comfort Solutions: Approaches to enhance indoor thermal comfort, including passive and active systems that promote occupants’ comfort, health, and performance.

Spatial Configuration: The impact of spatial design on social interaction, privacy, and overall user experience.

Integrated Performance Assessment: Evaluating the combined effects of acoustic, thermal, and spatial factors on occupant health and well-being.

Personalized Control Technologies: Enabling individual control to enhance comfort and well-being while promoting energy efficiency.

By fostering a multidisciplinary research, this Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of how built environment physics can optimize occupant well-being. Together, we can contribute to the creation of healthier, more sustainable, and more enjoyable living and working spaces.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dadi Zhang
Dr. Amneh Hamida
Guest Editors

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Buildings 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 2600 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

  • indoor environmental quality
  • acoustic quality
  • thermal comfort
  • spatial factors
  • well-being
  • building physics user-centered design

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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