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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: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 10856

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Hechi Wang

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Guest Editor

School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University Of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Interests: architectural history; conservation and restoration of architectural heritage; urban renewal; school buildings; architectural art
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Zhanfang Hu

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Guest Editor

College of Architecture, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
Interests: conservation and adaptive-reuse strategies; Chinese modern architectural heritage; authenticity and integrity; construction technology; church school

Dr. Linhua Hu

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Guest Editor

School of Architecture, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
Interests: history of modern Chinese architecture; history of architectural technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern and contemporary architecture not only serves as a material embodiment of social transformation, technological progress, and cultural trends of specific historical periods but also functions as a vital cultural carrier of collective memory and national identity. In the context of ongoing globalization and rapid urban renewal, a critical challenge has emerged: how to systematically evaluate the historical significance of modern and contemporary architecture, scientifically promote its conservation and restoration, and achieve rational strategies for its adaptive reuse. These issues have become focal points of widespread concern in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and related disciplines.

In recent years, research on architectural history and heritage conservation has evolved considerably, with methodologies becoming increasingly diversified. Traditional approaches—such as field surveys, archival studies, and stylistic analyses—are now being integrated with emerging technologies, including digital surveying, 3D modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and remote sensing image analysis. This convergence of methods is driving the refinement, scientific rigor, and sustainability of conservation practices. Furthermore, interdisciplinary research has become an essential catalyst for innovation and advancement in this field.

The objective of this theme is to collect and disseminate the latest research outcomes that combine theoretical depth with practical relevance in the study of modern and contemporary architectural history and heritage conservation. It also aims to encourage research from multidisciplinary and multi-technology perspectives, fostering cross-domain collaboration and advancing holistic approaches to the preservation of architectural heritage.

Dr. Hechi Wang
Dr. Zhanfang Hu
Dr. Linhua Hu
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

architectural history
arts and humanities
architectural culture
architectural heritage
modern built heritage
conservation and rehabilitation of historical buildings and sites
digital cultural heritage conservation
artificial intelligence and heritage conservation
urban renewal
sustainable conservation

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

38 pages, 11858 KB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Heritage in Mining Towns Based on Scene Theory: A Case Study of Meitanba Town, China

by Junyang Wu, Guohui Ouyang, Yi Wang, Feixuan He and Ruitao He

Buildings 2026, 16(7), 1317; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16071317 - 26 Mar 2026

Viewed by 844

Abstract

Industrial heritage in resource-depleted mining towns faces the dual challenge of physical decay and social severance. To achieve sustainable urban revitalization, adaptive reuse strategies must align with local collective memory and emerging experiential consumption trends. Adopting a Scene Theory perspective, this study constructs a multi-level analytical framework using Meitanba Town (Hunan, China) and its power plant as a case study. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining semantic network analysis of 1582 online user comments with 61 offline questionnaires distributed to local residents to quantitatively diagnose current scene elements, functions, and features. The quantitative results reveal a significant imbalance: while “Functional Media” achieved the highest comprehensive score (10.0) due to strong historical recognition, “Diverse Groups” scored the lowest (3.4), indicating a lack of social inclusivity. Specifically, residents expressed the highest demand for sports facilities (31.2%) and cultural spaces (23.7%), identifying the main workshop (26.4%) and chimney as core carriers of industrial identity. Responding to these findings, the paper proposes three targeted strategies: (1) Activate: creating open-access recreation scenes to satisfy urgent sports demands; (2) Link: constructing immersive cultural scenes to narrate the “coal–electricity–life” history; and (3) Enhance: developing industry-powered commercial scenes to avoid homogenization. This study enriches the localized application of Scene Theory and provides a data-driven, context-adjustable analytical and strategic model that can inform the sustainable renewal of mining towns globally, with its specific implementation requiring adaptation to local social, economic, and cultural characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation)

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29 pages, 7603 KB

Open AccessArticle

Public Buildings in Baghdad (Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries): Urban Centrality and Local Architectural Practices Through QGIS-Based Spatial Analysis

by Büşra Nur Güleç Demirel

Buildings 2026, 16(6), 1173; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16061173 - 16 Mar 2026

Viewed by 405

Abstract

This paper examines public architecture in Baghdad during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, focusing on how public buildings contributed to the formation of urban centrality and how this process interacted with local architectural practices. Rather than approaching public construction solely through administrative or ideological frameworks, the study conceptualizes public buildings as structuring components in the reconfiguration of the urban fabric. Methodologically, the research adopts a two-stage, multi-scalar approach. First, public buildings in Beirut, Damascus, and Baghdad are identified and comparatively analyzed using QGIS-based spatial analysis, employing Kernel Density Estimation and DBSCAN clustering to examine patterns of spatial concentration, distribution, and relationships with major urban axes. This comparative stage establishes a comparative spatial framework for understanding urban centrality in provincial capitals. In the second stage, Baghdad is examined as a focused case study through building-scale architectural analysis, incorporating plan organization, construction techniques, material use, and environmental adaptation based on archival documents, historical maps, and visual sources. The results indicate that public buildings in Baghdad were not isolated institutional entities but integral components in the formation of new urban focal areas structured along river-oriented and infrastructural axes. Architecturally, these buildings exhibit a hybrid character, combining standardized public building programs with locally embedded materials, construction methods, and spatial adaptations. The study concludes that public architecture in late Ottoman Baghdad emerged through a negotiated process between centralized planning principles and local architectural knowledge, producing a distinct yet contextually grounded form of urban centrality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation)

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29 pages, 10568 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Historical Evolution and Architectural Features of Prince Jingjin’s Mansion in Beijing During the Qing Dynasty

by Chunqing Li, Haomin Xu, Youpeng Wang and Yuechen Zhou

Buildings 2026, 16(6), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16061121 - 11 Mar 2026

Viewed by 731

Abstract

As vital repositories of Beijing’s cultural heritage, Qing Dynasty Qinwang (Prince of the First Rank) mansions offer profound insights into the era’s architectural evolution. Despite its significance, systematic architectural analysis of Prince Jingjin’s Mansion is lacking, with existing research primarily focusing on historical events. To address this gap, the present study focuses on Prince Jingjin’s Mansion as its research subject, utilizing historical document analysis, historical map comparison, field investigation, and space syntax analysis. This study investigates the succession of ownership, historical development, and architectural regulations, and outlines the complete construction process shaped by the evolution of early Qing princely mansion regulations as well as the functional transformation during the late Qing period. Furthermore, the architectural features of the mansion are explored from five perspectives: site selection, functionality, spatial layout, individual buildings, and gardens. The objective of this study is to elucidate the unique characteristics and significance of Prince Jingjin’s Mansion, thereby offering theoretical support for the development of Beijing as a renowned historical and cultural city and for the preservation and adaptive reuse of architectural heritage structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation)

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27 pages, 4379 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Engawa as Spatial Mediator: Transformation of Design Mechanisms in Japanese Teahouses

by Zhaoyang Hou, Shuai Kong, Yuzhe Wang and Qi An

Buildings 2026, 16(6), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16061113 - 11 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1143

Abstract

The engawa, a threshold space in traditional Japanese architecture, has been widely cited as the archetypal manifestation of Kurokawa’s grey space theory. However, prevailing interpretations treat it as a static prototype, overlooking the transformation of its spatial mechanisms across history. The present study addresses this lacuna through a comparative case analysis of three representative teahouses. The following three styles are examined in this study: the sixteenth-century sōan style, the early seventeenth-century samurai style, and the early seventeenth-century shoin-zukuri style. The evolution of the engawa’s mediating function is traced through these three styles. An analytical framework comprising five dimensions—boundary permeability, sequential flow, material tactility, integration of natural elements, and visual transparency—is applied consistently across all cases. The analysis demonstrates a discernible evolutionary trajectory, commencing with an inwardly contracting spiritual threshold in Myōki-an, progressing to an outwardly differentiating social interface in ma, and culminating in a meticulously crafted aesthetic artefact in Mittan. The present findings demonstrate that the engawa is not a fixed spatial prototype but rather a dynamic mediator whose form adapts to shifting social, cultural, and spiritual demands. The study posits that the essence of intermediary space does not lie in any specific configuration, but rather in its capacity to mediate between opposing realms, including self and nature, individual and society, and function and beauty. This reinterpretation provides a theoretical foundation for contemporary architectural practice, proposing that designers should prioritize diagnosing the relational challenges that intermediary spaces are designed to address, as opposed to merely imitating historical forms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation)

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22 pages, 6504 KB

Open AccessArticle

Historical Study and Conservation Strategies of the University of Nanking—Architectural Heritage of the American Church School

by Zhanfang Hu, Hechi Wang, Siyu Lei, Zhen Yang and Qi Zhou

Buildings 2026, 16(3), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030662 - 5 Feb 2026

Viewed by 748

Abstract

The University of Nanking, founded in the early 20th century by an American mission in Nanjing, China, boasts a unique blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles, making it a valuable subject of research. Currently part of Nanjing University’s Gulou Campus, it has been designated a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the Chinese government, which has also formulated a protection plan for the historical district of Nanking University. This paper uses this site as a case study, employing methods such as historical document review, on-site investigation, and architectural surveying to reveal a “growth-oriented” coordination mechanism between heritage preservation and development within the context of historical campus expansion. This mechanism involves maintaining the original spatial layout through adaptive reuse, presenting a development model of “new branches sprouting from an old trunk.” The study points out that campus expansion is the root cause of the “new versus old” contradiction in historical campuses, while the need for functional upgrades in school buildings is the driving force behind heritage preservation. Coordinating the development and functional optimization of new and old spaces can effectively enhance the vitality of historical campuses and achieve a balance between campus expansion and heritage preservation. This research provides a practical Chinese solution for the sustainable development of similar historical campuses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation)

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19 pages, 38564 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Religious Heritage in the Songliao River Basin of China

by Tianlin Liu, Yulu Wang, Yihao Yuan, Xinge Yang and Peng Zhang

Buildings 2026, 16(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010035 - 21 Dec 2025

Viewed by 933

Abstract

The Songliao River Basin, as a core area of multicultural integration in Northeast China, still lacks systematic research on the spatial distribution of religious sites and their influencing factors. This study integrates spatial pattern analysis methods (kernel density, standard deviation ellipse, imbalance index) and spatial econometric models (spatial error model, geographically weighted regression model) to explore the spatial distribution characteristics of 1288 religious sites in the basin and the influencing mechanisms of natural, socio-economic, and cultural factors. Results: (1) Religious sites in the basin show a clustered distribution of “higher density in the south than the north, one main cluster and two sub-cores”, with a northeast–southwest trend and poor balance at the prefectural-city scale. (2) Cultural factors are the core driver; cultural memory and social capital in traditional villages promote the agglomeration of religious sites and shape the “one village, multiple temples” pattern. Intangible Cultural Heritage, Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level, and religious sites form a tripartite symbiotic spatial relationship of “cultural practice—spatial carrier—institutional identity”; natural factors lay the basic pattern of spatial distribution. (3) Policy factors have a significant impact: A-rated Tourist Attractions and Performing Arts Venues show a positive effect, while museums exhibit spatial inhibition due to functional competition. (4) Economic, Population, and Transportation factors had no statistically significant effects, indicating that their spatial distribution is driven primarily by endogenous cultural mechanisms rather than external economic drivers. This study fills the gap in research on the spatial distribution of religious sites in Northeast China. By integrating multiple methods, a quantitative demonstration of the coupling mechanism of multiple factors was conducted, providing scientific support for religious cultural heritage protection policies and sustainable development strategies amid rapid urbanization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation)

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31 pages, 14355 KB

Open AccessArticle

Deconstructing Seokguram Grotto: Revisiting the Schematic Design

by Chaeshin Yoon and Yongchan Kwon

Buildings 2025, 15(24), 4546; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15244546 - 16 Dec 2025

Viewed by 1864

Abstract

While the Seokguram Grotto is celebrated in art history for its sculptural mastery, its architectural identity as a constructed stone dome—distinct from excavated caves—remains under-researched. Existing studies have largely relied on geometric analyses based on irrational numbers, which lack a historical basis. This study aims to reconstruct the logical design process of Seokguram by distinguishing between architectural planning and the realities of construction. Methodologically, we employ the concept of design constraints to analyze the grotto’s dimensional system and scene perception. We identify external constraints, such as the recorded dimensions of the Bodhgaya Buddha and cosmological symbolism (rectangular antechamber and circular posterior), and internal constraints, specifically the need for complete visual coordination between the Buddha’s head and the detached nimbus stone. Our analysis reveals that the designers negotiated these constraints through an iterative process. Key findings demonstrate that the pedestal’s height and position were adjusted, and the arched headstone was strategically designed as a threshold to ensure the perfect alignment of the Buddha and the nimbus from the viewer’s perspective. Furthermore, contrary to previous hypotheses proposing the use of irrational numbers (e.g., √2), this study proves that the grotto follows a proportional system based on integer modules (with 12 cheok as the main module) and binary division, which facilitated practical construction. In conclusion, Seokguram is not merely a product of aesthetic intuition but a masterpiece of rational design. In contrast to the vertical transcendence of Western Cathedrals, Seokguram Grotto embodies tectonics of empathy, prioritizing human-scale intimacy and visual harmony. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation)

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19 pages, 5622 KB

Open AccessArticle

History of Open Space and Physical Activities of China’s Danwei Neighborhood: The Case Study of Community Hua

by Hanxiao Heng, Xuan He and Nina Mo

Buildings 2025, 15(21), 3953; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15213953 - 2 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1811

Abstract

The danwei community emerged as a basic socio-spatial unit in China’s urban landscape, primarily constructed in the mid-20th century. Today, amid population aging and the deterioration of service facilities supporting health environment, the mental and physical conditions of danwei residents are increasingly challenged. Through an investigation of the built environment history and physical activity patterns in Community Hua, a typical case of former danwei community in Chengdu, China, this paper indicates that danwei communities have accumulated health-promoting legacies rooted in their historical spatial planning and collective lifestyle. The tangible legacy includes an open space system centered around green facilities, while the intangible legacy encompasses a diverse range of well-organized sports and cultural events. Following the reform of unit society in China in the late 1990s, these health-promoting legacies continue to exist within the danwei communities. Consequently, this study suggests that future renewal of open spaces within danwei neighborhood should be based on community history, thus the spatial legacy benefiting residents’ health can be preserved and utilized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation)

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15 pages, 19436 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preserving Europe’s Post-War University Buildings: Towards Integrated Conservation and Management Plans

by Giuseppe Galbiati, Franz Graf and Giulia Marino

Buildings 2025, 15(21), 3824; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15213824 - 23 Oct 2025

Viewed by 1124

Abstract

The construction of post-Second World War university buildings represents one of the most distinctive architectural phenomena of the twentieth century. These buildings rapidly gained international recognition for their innovative design and construction techniques, while also embodying the social and political aspirations of their time. Today, however, nearly five decades after their completion, they face new challenges related to energy retrofitting, spatial renovation, and functional adaptation. As a result, the architectural integrity of many European post-war universities is increasingly at risk. Extensive renovations, abandonment, and even demolitions are becoming more frequent, often in the absence of coherent management frameworks or long-term conservation strategies. To address these issues, this study adopts a three-phase methodological framework consisting of (1) historical research, (2) critical–comparative analysis of conservation and management strategies, and (3) in situ investigation. Through the examination of multiple case studies across Europe, the research finds that, although Conservation and Management Plans (CMPs) are internationally recognized as effective tools for safeguarding heritage, they have been implemented in only a limited number of cases. The analysis reveals significant variations in strategic approaches and expected outcomes, resulting in a highly heterogeneous panorama. The challenges and limitations that have led to the current situation are also discussed. By providing a large overview of the current practice, the paper aims at demonstrating the urgent need to develop new, more comprehensive CMPs. These plans should integrate objectives relating to energy efficiency, heritage preservation, and adaptive reuse. Multidisciplinary approaches are thus advocated over the fragmented, mono-objective plans that remain prevalent today. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural History, Modern Built Heritage, Conservation Repair and Renovation)

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