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Harmonizing Nature and Mind: Biophilic and Neuroarchitecture Synergies for Intelligent...
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Harmonizing Nature and Mind: Biophilic and Neuroarchitecture Synergies for Intelligent Buildings Enhancing Human Well-Being

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2025 | Viewed by 1300

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yan Xing

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent Univesity, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
Interests: architectural science; intelligent building technologies; smart cities; heritage; biophilia
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Alexander Sumich

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent Univesity, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
Interests: biological models of mental health; particularly depression; schizophrenia; maladaptive aggressive behaviour
Dr. Jordan J. Bird

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent Univesity, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
Interests: artificial intelligence (AI); generative AI; human–robot interaction (HRI); machine learning (ML); deep learning; transfer learning; data augmentation
Dr. Andrew Knight

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent Univesity, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
Interests: professional ethics; biophilic design and mental health; social value; value management; supply chain management; green labelling; logistics management; housing supply and; planning in Africa
Prof. Dr. Derek Clements-Croome

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of the Built Environment, Whiteknights, University of Reading, P.O. Box 219, Reading RG6 6AW, UK
Interests: health and well-being; design and management of intelligent buildings; sustainable liveable buildings; environmental sensory design; creating productive and creative workplaces
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The journal Buildings invites submissions for a Special Issue focused on “Harmonizing Nature and Mind: Biophilic and Neuroarchitecture Synergies for Intelligent Buildings Enhancing Human Well-Being”, seeking to rediscover the intersections between biophilic design and neuroarchitecture, and exploring innovative methods to integrate biophilic principles with neurological and sensor technologies. Our goal is to develop intelligent buildings that promote human well-being and productivity, laying the groundwork for resilient and sustainable architecture of the future.

We encourage contributions that delve into the following topics:

  1. The Science of Biophilia: Research on how natural elements in the built environment can influence cognitive function, emotional health, and overall well-being;
  2. Neuroarchitecture Principles: Exploring how understanding brain responses to architectural elements can inform design choices that enhance user experience in various building types;
  3. Integrative Design Methods: Case studies or frameworks demonstrating successful integration of biophilic and neuroarchitectural principles in current building projects;
  4. Technological Innovations: The role of sensing technologies and smart building systems in creating adaptive environments that respond to human needs and preferences;
  5. Impact on Productivity: Assessments of how biophilic and neuroarchitectural designs contribute to improved workplace efficiency, creativity, and morale;
  6. Sustainable Resilience: Strategies and designs that employ biophilic and neuroarchitectural concepts in response to climate change and environmental challenges;
  7. User-Centred Design Approaches: Methodologies for engaging end users in the design process, ensuring that their needs and well-being are at the forefront of architectural decisions;
  8. Cultural and Contextual Considerations: Examining how biophilic and neuroarchitectural designs can be adapted to reflect local cultures, histories, and ecosystems;
  9. Future of Smart Cities: Insights into how integrating biophilic and neuroarchitectural principles can shape the development of smart cities that prioritize human experience alongside sustainability.

We invite researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders from architecture, environmental psychology, urban planning, and related fields to contribute original research, theoretical explorations, case studies, and essays that advance our understanding of this vital intersection.

Submission guidelines and deadlines can be found on the Buildings journal website. We look forward to your contributions that will inspire future advancements in creating intelligent buildings that harmonize nature and mind for enhanced human well-being.

Dr. Yan Xing
Prof. Dr. Alexander Sumich
Dr. Jordan J. Bird
Dr. Andrew Knight
Prof. Dr. Derek Clements-Croome
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

  • biophilic design
  • neuroarchitecture
  • human well-being
  • intelligent buildings
  • sustainable architecture
  • cognitive function
  • emotional health
  • nature integration
  • environmental psychology
  • resilient design

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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31 pages, 16050 KiB  
Article
Biomimetic Opaque Ventilated Façade for Low-Rise Buildings in Hot Arid Climate
by Ahmed Alyahya, Simon Lannon and Wassim Jabi
Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2491; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142491 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 233
Abstract
Enhancing the thermal performance of building façades is vital for reducing energy demand in hot desert climates, where envelope heat gain increases cooling loads. This study investigates the integration of biomimicry into opaque ventilated façade (OVF) systems as a novel approach to reduce [...] Read more.
Enhancing the thermal performance of building façades is vital for reducing energy demand in hot desert climates, where envelope heat gain increases cooling loads. This study investigates the integration of biomimicry into opaque ventilated façade (OVF) systems as a novel approach to reduce façade surface temperatures. Thirteen bio-inspired façade configurations, modeled after strategies observed in nature, were evaluated using computational fluid dynamics simulations to assess their effectiveness in increasing airflow and reducing inner skin surface temperatures. Results show that all proposed biomimetic solutions outperformed the baseline OVF in terms of thermal performance, with the wide top mound configuration achieving the greatest temperature reduction—up to 5.9 °C below the baseline OVF and 16.4 °C below an unventilated façade. The study introduces an innovative methodology that derives façade design parameters from nature and validates them through simulation. These findings highlight the potential of nature-based solutions to improve building envelope performance in extreme climates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Harmonizing Nature and Mind: Biophilic and Neuroarchitecture Synergies for Intelligent Buildings Enhancing Human Well-Being)
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21 pages, 8251 KiB  
Article
Quantifying Thermal Demand in Public Space: A Pedestrian-Weighted Model for Outdoor Thermal Comfort Design
by Deyin Zhang, Gang Liu, Kaifa Kang, Xin Chen, Shu Sun, Yongxin Xie and Borong Lin
Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2156; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132156 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 308
Abstract
With accelerating urbanization, the outdoor thermal environment has become a critical factor affecting the thermal comfort of public spaces, particularly in high-density commercial districts and pedestrian-concentrated areas. To enhance thermal comfort and livability in public outdoor space, this study proposes a thermal demand-responsive [...] Read more.
With accelerating urbanization, the outdoor thermal environment has become a critical factor affecting the thermal comfort of public spaces, particularly in high-density commercial districts and pedestrian-concentrated areas. To enhance thermal comfort and livability in public outdoor space, this study proposes a thermal demand-responsive design approach that integrates thermal conditions with pedestrian flow dynamics. A commercial pedestrian mall featuring semi-open public spaces and air-conditioned interior retail areas was selected as a case study. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted based on design-phase documentation and field measurements to model the thermal environment. The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was employed to assess thermal comfort levels, and thermal discomfort was further quantified using the Heat Discomfort Index (HI). Simultaneously, pedestrian density distribution (λ) was analyzed using the agent-based simulation software MassMotion (Version 11.0). A demand of thermal comfort (DTC) index was developed by coupling UTCI-based thermal conditions with pedestrian density, enabling the spatial quantification of thermal demand across the whole commercial pedestrian mall. For example, in a sidewalk area parallel to the main street, several points exhibited high discomfort levels (HI = 0.95) but low pedestrian volume, resulting in DTC values approximately 0.2 units lower than adjacent zones with lower discomfort levels (HI = 0.7) but higher foot traffic. Such differences demonstrate how DTC can reveal priority areas for intervention. Key zones requiring thermal improvement were identified based on DTC values, providing a quantitative foundation for outdoor thermal environment design. This method provides both a theoretical foundation and a practical tool for the sustainable planning and optimization of urban public spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Harmonizing Nature and Mind: Biophilic and Neuroarchitecture Synergies for Intelligent Buildings Enhancing Human Well-Being)
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Review

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40 pages, 4319 KiB  
Review
Biophilic Design in the Built Environment: Trends, Gaps and Future Directions
by Bekir Hüseyin Tekin, Gizem Izmir Tunahan, Zehra Nur Disci and Hatice Sule Ozer
Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2516; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142516 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 140
Abstract
Biophilic design has emerged as a multidimensional response to growing concerns about health, well-being, and ecological balance in the built environment. Despite its rising prominence, research on the topic remains fragmented across building typologies, user groups, and geographic contexts. This study presents a [...] Read more.
Biophilic design has emerged as a multidimensional response to growing concerns about health, well-being, and ecological balance in the built environment. Despite its rising prominence, research on the topic remains fragmented across building typologies, user groups, and geographic contexts. This study presents a comprehensive review of the biophilic design literature, employing a hybrid methodology combining structured content analysis and bibliometric mapping. All peer-reviewed studies indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus were manually screened for architectural relevance and systematically coded. A total of 435 studies were analysed to identify key trends, thematic patterns, and research gaps in the biophilic design discipline. This review categorises the literature by methodological strategies, building typologies, spatial scales, population groups, and specific biophilic design parameters. It also examines geographic and cultural dimensions, including climate responsiveness, heritage buildings, policy frameworks, theory development, pedagogy, and COVID-19-related research. The findings show a strong emphasis on institutional contexts, particularly workplaces, schools, and healthcare, and a reliance on perception-based methods such as surveys and experiments. In contrast, advanced tools like artificial intelligence, simulation, and VR are notably underused. Few studies engage with neuroarchitecture or neuroscience-informed approaches, despite growing recognition of how spatial design can influence cognitive and emotional responses. Experimental and biometric methods remain scarce among the few relevant contributions, revealing a missed opportunity to connect biophilic strategies with empirical evidence. Regarding biophilic parameters, greenery, daylight, and sensory experience are the most studied parameters, while psychological parameters remain underexplored. Cultural and climate-specific considerations appear in relatively few studies, and many fail to define a user group or building typology. This review highlights the need for more inclusive, context-responsive, and methodologically diverse research. By bridging macro-scale bibliometric patterns with fine-grained thematic insights, this study provides a replicable review model and valuable reference for advancing biophilic design as an evidence-based, adaptable, and human-centred approach to sustainable architecture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Harmonizing Nature and Mind: Biophilic and Neuroarchitecture Synergies for Intelligent Buildings Enhancing Human Well-Being)
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