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Trends and Prospects in Indoor Environment of Buildings
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Trends and Prospects in Indoor Environment of Buildings

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 June 2026 | Viewed by 5129

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carmen Diaz López

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas I, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
Interests: resilience; sustainability; circular economy; climate change; building; built environments; passive measures; evaluation tools; energy; sustainable development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Carmen Maria Muñoz-González

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Guest Editor
Department of Art and Architecture, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
Interests: resilience; sustainability; indoor environment; climate change; building; built environments; passive measures; rehabilitation of heritage; energy; sustainable development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Konstantin Verichev

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Guest Editor
Institute of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, 2050 Valdivia, Chile
Interests: building energetics; building climatology; building codes; climate change; energy efficiency in buildings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. José Manuel López-Osorio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Art and Architecture, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
Interests: rehabilitation and restoration of architectural heritage; resilience; sustainability; climate change; built environments; passive measures; energy; sustainable development
Dr. Cristian Salazar-Concha

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Administration Institute, Universidad Austral de Chile, Independencia 631, Valdivia 5110566, Chile
Interests: consumer behavior; information systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The quality of the indoor environment in buildings has become a highly relevant topic in the current global context, where the health and well-being of occupants are paramount. As we progress through the 21st century, trends in the design and management of interior spaces are evolving to incorporate criteria of sustainability, environmental ergonomics, comfort, energy efficiency, and resilience. The growing concern for air quality, natural lighting, the use of non-toxic materials, and the strength of spaces, among other factors, is driving the adoption of innovative strategies that promote healthy and productive environments. Furthermore, integrating advanced technologies and real-time monitoring systems enables more effective resource management and a swift response to user needs. This multidisciplinary approach aims to enhance the occupant experience and contribute to the overall sustainability of buildings, aligning with global objectives for carbon footprint reduction and climate change adaptation.

Therefore, researchers and professionals are invited to explore and share their findings on emerging trends and future perspectives regarding the quality of the indoor environments of buildings. We welcome flexible and open articles, including systematic literature reviews, and value both theoretical research and practical applications. We also seek critiques and reflections on policy formulation influencing indoor environmental quality. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

- Strategies for enhancing the quality of the indoor environment in buildings through sustainable, resilient, and multidisciplinary approaches;

- Multi-scale assessment models for indoor environmental quality and its impact on occupant health and well-being;

- Reflections on policy formulation and decision-making that promote efficient improvements in indoor environments;

- Multidisciplinary studies addressing the management of indoor environmental quality in building renovations;

- Applying the Level(s) framework for rehabilitating the indoor environment in buildings.

We eagerly anticipate your contributions, and we are confident that this Special Issue will positively impact the field and promote scientific dissemination.

Dr. Carmen Díaz López
Dr. Carmen Maria Muñoz-González
Dr. Konstantin Verichev
Dr. José Manuel López-Osorio
Dr. Cristian Salazar-Concha
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 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. 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

  • environmental quality
  • health
  • sustainability
  • comfort
  • energy efficiency
  • air quality
  • natural lighting
  • non-toxic materials
  • advanced technologies
  • real-time monitoring

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 1906 KB  
Article
The Effects of Spatial Experience and Preferences in Smart Classrooms on Student Learning Engagement
by Yibin Ao, Yuyi Zhou, Panyu Peng, Xiang Li, Igor Martek and Luwei Jia
Buildings 2026, 16(5), 1039; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16051039 - 6 Mar 2026
Viewed by 495
Abstract
A smart classroom integrates emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things and cloud computing, optimizes resource allocation, and transforms classroom interaction. A smart classroom encourages students to participate in a pressing concern as Chinese institutions steadily promote the development and implementation of [...] Read more.
A smart classroom integrates emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things and cloud computing, optimizes resource allocation, and transforms classroom interaction. A smart classroom encourages students to participate in a pressing concern as Chinese institutions steadily promote the development and implementation of such classrooms. Identifying the key spatial factors that influence learning engagement is essential. Current work has identified learning factors for a smart classroom that encourage dealing with learning environments, perceptions, experiences, and engagement by following a learner-centered educational philosophy. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from the Yibin Campus of Chengdu University of Technology and data was collected by using a survey method. The statistical analysis was applied to 156 valid student perception samples, which were empirically explored. Four factors related to classroom infrastructure and design are examined: physical environment, spatial layout, table and chair design, and technological equipment. Among these, technological equipment has the strongest effect on learning engagement. The findings provide practical guidance for designers seeking to optimize smart classroom environments, thereby enhancing teaching quality and improving learning efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Prospects in Indoor Environment of Buildings)
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27 pages, 5104 KB  
Article
Multi-Agent Systems and Digital Twins as a Basis for Smart Buildings with Integrated Sustainable Efficient Ventilation
by Carlos Rizo-Maestre, José María Flores-Moreno, Amor Nebot-Sanz and José Antonio Huesca-Tortosa
Buildings 2026, 16(5), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16051026 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 750
Abstract
Ventilation management is a key component of smart building performance, directly affecting indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and energy consumption during operation. The increasing complexity of building systems and variability in occupancy and environmental conditions challenge conventional static or centralised ventilation strategies. This [...] Read more.
Ventilation management is a key component of smart building performance, directly affecting indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and energy consumption during operation. The increasing complexity of building systems and variability in occupancy and environmental conditions challenge conventional static or centralised ventilation strategies. This study presents a conceptual and methodological framework for intelligent ventilation management based on the integration of distributed environmental sensorisation, multi-agent systems, and digital twins. The proposed approach focuses on structuring the architecture and decision-making mechanisms that enable adaptive and predictive ventilation strategies, including multi-source air intake selection (6D ventilation). Rather than providing experimental or simulation-based validation, the study defines a coherent framework intended to support future quantitative evaluation and implementation. The expected benefits of the approach, in terms of improved energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and life-cycle performance, are discussed in relation to existing research. The framework contributes to the development of smart buildings by providing a structured basis for advanced, adaptive, and sustainable ventilation management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Prospects in Indoor Environment of Buildings)
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24 pages, 1614 KB  
Article
Impact of University Building Thermal Environments on Thermal Comfort and Learning Efficiency: A Study Under Conditions of Hot Summer and Cold Winter
by Yibin Ao, Bingjie Liu, Panyu Peng, Mingyang Li, Yan Wang, Bo Wang and Igor Martek
Buildings 2026, 16(3), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030598 - 1 Feb 2026
Viewed by 655
Abstract
Learning efficiency in a university context is predicated on a conducive learning environment. This in turn requires settings offering thermal comfort. In this study, we experimentally explored the relationship between the thermal environment of colleges and universities in hot-summer and cold-winter regions on [...] Read more.
Learning efficiency in a university context is predicated on a conducive learning environment. This in turn requires settings offering thermal comfort. In this study, we experimentally explored the relationship between the thermal environment of colleges and universities in hot-summer and cold-winter regions on the thermal comfort and learning efficiency of Chinese college students. Findings are intriguing in that temperatures delivering optimal thermal comfort and optimal learning efficiency differ. Specifically: (1) Students generally feel most comfortable when the room temperature is approximately 24 °C; (2) Combined studies comparing temperature on thermal comfort and learning efficiency found that college students learn better in slightly colder environments; (3) Based on the comprehensive value of satisfying the best thermal comfort and high learning efficiency, the optimal temperature range is 20.6 °C to 22.2 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Prospects in Indoor Environment of Buildings)
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20 pages, 3766 KB  
Article
Passive Climate Adaptation of Heritage Arcades: Field Evidence on the Geometry–Radiation–Thermal Comfort Chain and Orientation Effects
by Yaolong Wang, Jiarui Xu, Tingfeng Liu, Xiao Hu, Shouhan Liu, Hao Xu and Zefa Wang
Buildings 2026, 16(1), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010201 - 2 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 725
Abstract
Historic arcades in shaded street canyons may act as passive microclimate infrastructure. We monitored paired arcade–open points along two arcaded streets in Haikou, China, under clear summer conditions, recording hourly microclimate from 09:00 to 21:00. From these data we derived mean radiant temperature [...] Read more.
Historic arcades in shaded street canyons may act as passive microclimate infrastructure. We monitored paired arcade–open points along two arcaded streets in Haikou, China, under clear summer conditions, recording hourly microclimate from 09:00 to 21:00. From these data we derived mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), tested main and interaction effects of space (arcade vs. open) and orientation (east–west vs. north–south), examined relations with sky view factor (SVF), and quantified exceedances of health-relevant thresholds using wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and degree-hours. Arcades consistently lowered thermal exposure, with the largest benefits around midday–afternoon; the daily mean UTCI reduction was ~4.4 °C relative to adjacent open points. Orientation modulated benefits: east–west segments showed larger marginal reductions, and orientation differences were markedly compressed beneath arcades. SVF correlated positively with Tmrt and thermal stress but contributed little additional explanatory power after accounting for space and orientation, indicating geometric shielding as a primary mechanism. High-risk WBGT windows (≥32 °C) were strongly reduced under arcades, and day–night degree-hour summaries indicated net improvement. We conclude that historic arcades provide measurable thermal protection while preserving urban form, supporting their dual role as cultural heritage and passive climate-adaptation assets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Prospects in Indoor Environment of Buildings)
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19 pages, 2000 KB  
Article
Window Frame Design Optimization Analysis Based on Hygrothermal Performance and the Level(s) Framework
by Konstantin Verichev, Carmen Díaz-López, Andrés García-Ruíz and Francisca Valdenegro
Buildings 2025, 15(12), 2126; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15122126 - 19 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1692
Abstract
This study investigates the hygrothermal performance of window frames to assess their capacity to prevent surface condensation—a critical factor for indoor air quality and building durability, particularly in humid climates. Driven by the practical need to replace existing aluminum frames with more sustainable [...] Read more.
This study investigates the hygrothermal performance of window frames to assess their capacity to prevent surface condensation—a critical factor for indoor air quality and building durability, particularly in humid climates. Driven by the practical need to replace existing aluminum frames with more sustainable alternatives, the research evaluates standard aluminum frames against modified timber frames designed to replicate the aluminum geometry. Using daily temperature and humidity data from Valdivia, Chile (2023)—a city with a temperate oceanic and humid climate—interior surface temperatures were simulated with HTflux software and compared against dew point values over a relative humidity (RH) range from 40% to 80%. A novel methodology is proposed for verifying the hygrothermal behavior of window frames based on annual performance analysis and highlighting the need to optimize window design according to specific local climate conditions. The results indicate that modified timber frames exhibited consistently lower average interior surface temperatures (by 1.2 °C) and a significantly higher risk of surface condensation compared to aluminum frames, particularly at typical comfort-level indoor humidity conditions (e.g., 167 vs. 100 condensation days at 50% RH). While both materials presented a high risk of condensation under extreme humidity conditions (80% RH), timber frames showed potentially greater severity of condensation. These findings underscore that the proposed timber frame modification is not hygrothermally adequate without strict control of indoor humidity. Anchored in the Level(s) framework, the study emphasizes the critical influence of geometric design on material performance and advocates for holistic, sustainable construction practices that balance energy efficiency, environmental impact, and occupant comfort. It highlights the need for integrated design solutions and effective moisture management to ensure building resilience in humid environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Prospects in Indoor Environment of Buildings)
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