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Acoustics and Well-Being: Towards Healthy Environments
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Acoustics and Well-Being: Towards Healthy Environments

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: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1143

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. María Ángeles Navacerrada

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Estructuras y Física de la Edificación, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Juan de Herrera 4, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: acoustic absorption; acoustic insulation; eco-friendly materials; listening test; noise pollution; psychoacoustics; acoustic comfort

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The creation of acoustically optimized environments is essential for the holistic well-being of individuals. A controlled sound environment not only enhances quality of life but also generates direct positive impacts on physical and psychological health. Investment in advanced acoustic solutions offers long-term benefits that transcend mere auditory comfort, positively influencing public health, workplace productivity, and social cohesion. To acoustically optimize an interior space, it is crucial to implement a strategic synergy between cutting-edge materials and innovative technologies. Researching and developing sustainable solutions and high-efficiency acoustic materials are fundamental to significantly improve environmental quality in interior spaces and the outdoor environment.

This Special Issue aims to compile and analyze pioneering proposals for materials and techniques that enhance the acoustic properties of interior spaces in various contexts, including office environments, healthcare facilities, and educational settings. Additionally, detailed analytical studies will be presented, providing guidelines for the acoustic optimization of spaces and essential criteria for effective and efficient acoustic conditioning. This compendium intends to serve as a valuable resource for architects, acoustic engineers, interior designers, and construction professionals, providing up-to-date information and practical solutions for creating acoustically healthy and comfortable environments.

Prof. Dr. María Ángeles Navacerrada
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 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

  • acoustics comfort
  • public health
  • acoustic materials
  • innovative acoustic technologies
  • efficient acoustic conditioning
  • environmental noise

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2154 KiB  
Article
Soundscape Preferences and Cultural Ecosystem Services in the Grand Canal National Cultural Park: A Case Study of Tongzhou Forest Park
by Linqing Mao, Hongyu Hou, Ziting Xia and Xin Zhang
Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2360; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132360 - 5 Jul 2025
Viewed by 276
Abstract
As research on national cultural parks advances, the significance of conducting multi-dimensional perception evaluations of their cultural ecosystem services (CESs) becomes increasingly apparent. This study examines the eight dimensions of CESs within the Grand Canal National Cultural Park from the perspective of soundscape [...] Read more.
As research on national cultural parks advances, the significance of conducting multi-dimensional perception evaluations of their cultural ecosystem services (CESs) becomes increasingly apparent. This study examines the eight dimensions of CESs within the Grand Canal National Cultural Park from the perspective of soundscape preference. Using Tongzhou Grand Canal Forest Park as a case study, five categories of soundscapes comprising 19 sound sources were identified through the analysis of online textual data. This study then collected public preferences and perceptions of these five soundscapes via on-site questionnaires and analyzed the data using SPSS26 for correlation and IPA analyses. The results indicate that the overall evaluation of the park’s CESs is positive. There is a significant mutual influence between soundscape preference and CES perception. Specifically, the preference for natural soundscape significantly impacts the evaluation of each CES dimension, while satisfaction with leisure and entertainment is positively correlated with preferences for all types of soundscapes. Additionally, there are notable differences in soundscape preference among different age groups. These findings not only enhance our understanding of soundscape planning in national cultural parks but also provide valuable guidance for their management and design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acoustics and Well-Being: Towards Healthy Environments)
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24 pages, 2293 KiB  
Article
Research on the Healing Effect of the Waterscapes in Chinese Classical Gardens in Audiovisual Interaction
by Zhigao Zhai, Luning Cao, Qinhan Li, Zheng Gong, Li Guo and Deshun Zhang
Buildings 2025, 15(13), 2310; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132310 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 290
Abstract
As an important part of world cultural heritage, waterscapes in Chinese classical gardens are renowned for their unique design, rich cultural connotations, and distinctive esthetic value. However, objective studies of their impact on mental health are lacking. This paper focuses on Xishu Garden, [...] Read more.
As an important part of world cultural heritage, waterscapes in Chinese classical gardens are renowned for their unique design, rich cultural connotations, and distinctive esthetic value. However, objective studies of their impact on mental health are lacking. This paper focuses on Xishu Garden, a Chinese classical garden, and examines four types of waterscapes (for a total of twelve) using eye-tracking technology and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS). The aim of this study is to explore the restorative effects of different types of waterscapes with visual and audiovisual conditions, with particular attention paid to their mechanisms of action. The research results indicate that (1) waterscapes with an audiovisual interaction have a greater restorative value; (2) dynamic waterscapes have greater visual appeal than still landscapes do, but the latter have stronger environmentally restorative effects; and (3) the visual behavioral characteristics of waterscapes change during audiovisual interactions. This study contributes theoretical support for the maintenance and enhancement of Chinese classical gardens and the planning and design of modern urban green spaces, and it enriches our understanding of the role of waterscapes in restorative environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acoustics and Well-Being: Towards Healthy Environments)
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27 pages, 3004 KiB  
Article
Designing for Neonates’ Wellness: Differences in the Reverberation Time Between an Incubator Located in an Open Unit and in a Private Room of a NICU
by Virginia Puyana-Romero, Daniel Nuñez-Solano, Ricardo Hernández-Molina, Francisco Fernández-Zacarías, Juan Jimenez and Giuseppe Ciaburro
Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1411; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091411 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 341
Abstract
Noise levels in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) significantly impact neonatal health, influencing stress levels, sleep cycles, and overall development. One critical factor in managing noise is reverberation time (T), which affects sound persistence and acoustic comfort. This study, conducted at the Universidad [...] Read more.
Noise levels in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) significantly impact neonatal health, influencing stress levels, sleep cycles, and overall development. One critical factor in managing noise is reverberation time (T), which affects sound persistence and acoustic comfort. This study, conducted at the Universidad de Las Américas in Quito, Ecuador, examines T in two NICU room types—open unit and private room. Measurements were taken in simulated environments to assess acoustic differences between these two designs. Results indicate that T is significantly lower in private rooms compared to open units, suggesting that private rooms provide a more controlled and acoustically favorable environment for neonates. Lower T reduces excessive noise exposure, improving sleep quality and minimizing stress responses in preterm infants. Furthermore, the findings align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), by advocating for hospital designs that enhance patient health and promote sustainable infrastructure. These results highlight the importance of integrating acoustically optimized spaces in NICUs to improve neonatal outcomes and contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system. Future research should further explore architectural solutions for noise reduction to refine NICU design standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acoustics and Well-Being: Towards Healthy Environments)
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