Search Results (39)

Blue–green infrastructure is widely recognized for mitigating the urban heat island effect. However, most existing ENVI-met 5.6.1 studies focus on average thermal conditions and overlook fine-scale spatial gradients. This study investigates the urban park in Luoyang City by integrating high-resolution 3D ENVI-met simulations, multi-source data, and field measurements to quantify thermal gradients between park interiors and surrounding built-up areas. A midline cut-off approach was applied to extract horizontal and vertical thermal profiles. The results show that (1) temperature and physiological equivalent temperature (PET) differences are most pronounced at park edges and transition zones, where vegetation and water bodies serve as natural cooling buffers; (2) urban form indicators, especially the building coverage and open space ratio, significantly impact wind speed and the PET, with greenery improving thermal comfort via shading and evapotranspiration, while impervious surfaces intensify heat stress; (3) the park exhibits a distinct cold island effect, with the average PET in the core area up to 12.3 °C lower than in adjacent built-up zones. The effective cooling distance, which is identified through buffer-based zonal statistics, rapidly attenuates within approximately 200 m from the park boundary. These findings offer a novel spatial perspective on thermal regulation mechanisms of urban landscapes and provide quantitative evidence to guide the design of climate-resilient green infrastructure. Full article

This paper discusses the adoption of biomimicry and eco-friendly materials as overarching concepts in interior design education. It aims to investigate how biomimicry and eco-friendly materials can be integrated into the existing and established interior design program curriculum. Changes in green and sustainable design concepts used in student capstone projects, which incorporated the reiteration of learning objectives aimed at enhancing student learning outcomes, were identified. This investigation addressed a gap in knowledge by analyzing the influence of nature-inspired designs on students’ problem-solving abilities and creativity. It employed a qualitative case study approach to analyze selected designs that employed biomimicry concepts in functional interior spaces, followed by a visualization stage, in which 3D-printed models were created from recycled and eco-friendly materials, closing the loop on sustainability applications. The study revealed that biomimicry and eco-friendly materials are valuable components of various design curricula, particularly in the fields of environmental studies, architecture, and interior design. This research underscores the urgent need to comprehensively integrate biomimicry and eco-friendly materials into design curricula, fostering a new generation of sustainability-conscious designers equipped to lead transformative change in the future of interior design and beyond. Full article

Countries worldwide have implemented regulations on the green coverage ratio of new buildings to address the urban heat island effect. For example, Taipei City mandates that the green coverage rate of new buildings must be between 40% and 70%, while Singapore requires a green coverage rate of 100% or higher. Consequently, building greening is now a regulatory requirement rather than a preference. This study focuses on developing an indoor light-emitting-diode (LED) hydroponic inverted planting system to utilize ceiling space for expanding green areas in buildings. The light source of this system is suitable for both plant growth and daily lighting, thereby reducing electricity costs. The watertight planting unit does not require replenishment of the nutrient solution during a planting cycle for small plants, which can reduce water consumption and prevent indoor humidity. The modular structure allows various combinations, enabling interior designers to create interior ceiling scapes. Additionally, it is possible to grow aromatic plants and edible vegetables, facilitating the creation of indoor farms. Consequently, this system is suitable for high-rise residential buildings, office buildings, underground shopping malls, and indoor areas with limited or no natural light. It is also applicable to hospitals, clinics, wards, and care centers, where indoor plants alleviate psychological stress and enhance mental and physical health. Full article

The villa of the Veneto is a complex that includes the manor house, the agricultural buildings, as well as the green spaces of the garden, the orchard and the fields. The research presented in this article focuses on the case of Villa Giusti-Puttini at Santa Maria in Stelle (Verona, Italy), with the aim of unravelling the history and state of conservation of the villa’s park, which has never been studied before. The research has been carried out by interconnecting the historical archival documentation (written documents and maps) with the current state, always considering the possible interpretations suggested by the specialised related bibliography. The result has been the identification of the elements of permanence and transformation of the territory and landscape of the villa. Elements such as its boundaries, interior paths, vegetation and watercourses make it possible to outline guidelines aimed at recovering the memory of this historic landscape which has been largely preserved over the centuries, and which constitutes one of the most significant heritage aspects of this area of Italy. In addition to providing in-depth knowledge of a specific object, this research can serve as an example for the study of other cultural landscapes. Full article

As global urbanisation is rising and public health challenges intensify, this systematic review is conducted at a critical time to explore and explain the associations between the parameters of green environments and nuanced adaptive neuroplasticity in the human brain to advance the development of health-focused sustainable cities and buildings in line with the concept of neurosustainability. This review includes studies involving participants of all ages and genders, with no restrictions on health conditions, exposed to green environments regardless of built environment comparisons. A systematic search of Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science identified relevant studies published up to November 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scale and ROBINS-I domains, and data were analysed narratively due to heterogeneity. Twenty-three studies were included, conducted across the USA, UK, Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Japan, and South Korea. Findings reveal that green environments are associated with positive, region-specific brain changes across the lifespan, surprisingly from before birth to late adulthood. While forests showed more significant effects than blue spaces or urban green spaces, residential greenness emerged as a consistently effective exposure, especially within a 300–500 m buffer around home addresses, provided that sky visibility is present. Notably, no studies have examined green architecture or biophilic interiors, although they are more proximal, are associated with greater exposure time, have antagonistic effects, and may potentially limit sky visibility, highlighting a key gap for future research. Limitations include heterogeneity in exposure definitions, methodologies, and targeted brain regions. Still, this review offers a novel synthesis, providing insight into how greening the built environment may sustain not only the planet but also the plasticity of the brain. This review is registered with INPLASY (INPLASY2024110103) and forms part of a doctoral research project funded by the Cambridge Trust in partnership with the Jameel Education Foundation. Full article

Wineries require a significant energy demand for cooling interior spaces. As a result, designing energy-efficient winery buildings has become a crucial concern for winemaking countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate six winery building models with bioclimatic designs, located in the Guadalupe Valley, Baja California, using data on thermal performances (indoor temperature and relative humidity) and energy consumption obtained through dynamic thermal simulation. A baseline winery building model was developed and then enhanced with bioclimatic strategies: a semi-buried building; an underground cellar; an underground cellar with the variants of a green roof, double roof, shaded walls, and polyurethane insulation. The last solution entailed the requirement of a reduction in cooling in the warm season by 98 MWh, followed by the one with a green roof, corresponding to 94 MWh. This study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of different architectural approaches, offering guidelines for the design of functional buildings for wine production, besides presenting energy-efficient solutions for wineries tailored to the climatic conditions of the study region. These findings highlight the importance of a function-based and energy-efficient architectural design in the winemaking industry, which leads to the definition of buildings with a compact arrangement of the functional spaces and a fruitful integration of the landscape through a wise adoption of underground solutions. Full article

Urban heat islands and increasing energy consumption in subtropical regions such as Taiwan present substantial challenges, particularly in densely populated areas where traditional green spaces are limited. To address these issues, vertical green systems (VGSs) have emerged as a sustainable solution to improve building energy efficiency and mitigate urban heat. This study investigates the impact of VGSs on building temperature regulation, specifically focusing on the effects of shading density and the distance from the building facade. Two experimental setups were assessed, with VGSs positioned at distances of 50 cm and 100 cm, and shading densities of 70% and 95%. Experiments conducted between May and September 2022, under full sunlight (average temperature of 33 °C), revealed that a VGS with a 95% shading density significantly reduced solar radiation to below 50 W/m². Additionally, it lowered interior temperatures by 0.5–2.1 °C and decreased surface temperatures by 5–12 °C when positioned 100 cm from the building. The VGS also enhanced temperature stability, maintaining interior temperature fluctuations within 1 °C compared to 4 °C in the control group. These results demonstrate that higher shading densities and increased distances from the building facade optimize temperature control and energy efficiency. The findings offer valuable insights for sustainable urban building design, suggesting that VGSs with greater shading densities and appropriate distances provide significant benefits in reducing solar radiation, surface temperatures, and interior temperature fluctuations. Full article

This study explores how the environmental conditions of sustainable classrooms influence the concentration and academic performance of students in university environments, integrating the use of sustainable design strategies. Within the framework of education for sustainability, the importance of sustainable urban spaces, buildings, interiors, and green infrastructure products in communicating and promoting scientific and environmental knowledge is recognized. Using a systematic mapping methodology, the research examines how real-time monitoring of environmental variables such as air quality, humidity, temperature, CO₂, particulate matter, and lighting, through the Internet of Things (IoT), can enhance learning. The study focuses on examining the impact of environmental factors on students’ academic performance, as well as exploring how sustainable educational spaces can promote greater awareness and favorable attitudes towards the environment. Based on an analysis of 454 articles and success stories on green educational infrastructure projects, the results reveal a significant correlation between optimal environmental conditions such as good ventilation and temperature control and increased student concentration and performance. This study also highlights the role of educational interventions, both formal and informal, that integrate sustainably built environments to reinforce occupants’ environmental engagement. The conclusion is clear: improving classroom environmental conditions, especially in terms of ventilation and temperature control, not only optimizes learning, but also acts as a powerful environmental education tool, fostering education for sustainable development and strengthening ecological attitudes among students. Full article

This study conducted research and discussion on the irrational layout of the corridor entry front room space in Chinese elderly facilities and proposed a design strategy for this spatial area. Based on a survey of elderly facilities and the general needs of the elderly, three design elements were added to the corridor front room space: windows, furnishings, and vertical greening. A model was built and eight different sets of pictures were generated; 28 subjects viewed the pictures according to their personal preferences while EEG data and subjective questionnaires were collected and analyzed. The results indicated that [Scene WF] was more popular among the elderly and that the demand for furnishings was higher among the elderly. The EEG results also showed that the energy in the frontal region of [Scene WF] was significantly higher than the other scenes. Significance was found between the AF3 and AF4 electrodes in the frontal region and the time and number of viewings (p < 0.01), as well as with subjective satisfaction (p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate that adding these three design elements to this space helped the elderly to have a more enjoyable experience, created a more pleasant and comfortable environment for the elderly, and improved the overall efficiency of the interior space. Additionally, the study provides valuable information for the design of future elderly facilities. Full article

Good architectural space design can bring positive emotional stimulation and relaxation to users, but few studies have investigated the quantitative indicators in architectural space design and their impact on user emotions. This study takes the right-angle sandwich interface system in architecture as an example to guide the next vertical greening simulation experiment by comparing the spatial quantitative differences in connection value, integration degree, and population agglomeration. Eighty adolescent volunteers were recruited into a control (artificial decorative wall) and experimental (green wall) group based on wall type. We compared their physiological and psychological indicators, including blood pressure and blood oxygen, and psychological indicators, including POMS and SIAI-S scales. Then, we made predictive factor judgements on vertical green elements. The quantification of the interior space of the building showed consistency in parameter changes, with the central area being the area of connectivity, integration, and crowd aggregation values. After the experiment, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate (p = 0.00) and a significant decrease in tension, anger, fatigue, depression, and panic (p = 0.00). The quantitative relationship between vertical greening elements and emotional promotion using stepwise linear exploration shows that the “vine” element is a significant predictive factor for diastolic blood pressure, T-A emotion, and SIAI-S values. The results enrich the indoor optimization and creation expansion paths of interface systems for various spatial experiences and further provide guidance for urban indoor green construction plans and green landscape facility planning via the emotional influence of indoor vertical space greening on young people. Full article

The advancement of new energy vehicles (NEVs) represents a strategic initiative to combatting climate change, mitigating the energy crisis, and fostering green growth. Using provincial panel data from China between 2017 and 2022, in this study, we applied machine learning techniques for sentiment analysis of textual reviews, used word frequency statistics to explore consumers’ views on the attributes of new energy vehicles, and constructed a consumer sentiment index to study the impact of consumer sentiment on NEV sales. Considering the dependence of NEVs on a charging station, this paper explores the nonlinear impact of the popularity of charging stations on the relationship between consumer sentiment and sales of new energy vehicles. The findings indicate the potential for enhancement in the areas of space, interior design, and comfort of NEVs. Additionally, consumer sentiment was found to facilitate the diffusion of NEVs, with this effect being heterogeneous across different educational backgrounds, income levels, and ages. Furthermore, the availability of per capita public charging stations was shown to significantly reduce range anxiety and encourage consumer purchasing behavior. Full article

One of the key concerns for present-day society is the need to build the environment in which we live in a sustainable way, using green solutions, but without losing the aesthetic values. The following study proves that, when applied in the right way, façade graphics support sustainability. Art glass placed inside the envelope significantly influences a number of aspects related to how a building functions, improving the quality of a given architectural space’s properties. Façade graphics have a considerable effect, as they control the intensity of light penetrating to the interior and provide support sunlight protection. Façade graphics act as a cover that controls how images filter through from the inside to the outside and from the outside to the inside. The graphics may be used to show messaging directed at the public. Art glass located in the external partition has a significant impact on several aspects of the functioning of an architectural object. In the preliminary examination, a few factors that determine the scope of such effect were identified, including the structure of the glass layer and of the image. The objective of this publication is to determine to what degree the structure of an image on glass, and the artistic means associated with it, influence the scope of the visual effect of a glass partition, as well as its functional properties, and how important for the reception of architectural space are the artistic values of glazing, in terms of its form, dynamics, composition, and colours, as well as the means by which the applied image impacts its surroundings. These means result from selection of suitable execution techniques and strategies for shaping the partition. The research concerns aspects of interconnection between graphics and the architectural space; its artistic, compositional, integrating, and covering role. The work is important in further research on the use of facade graphics in the utility and visual aspect. Full article

Environmentally friendly powder coatings which have the advantages of being VOC-free, low-cost, and high-efficiency with a high recovery rate have been attracting increasing research attention. The introduction of antibacterial agents into the powder coatings endows them with a capacity to kill bacteria and viruses on the surface of objects; additionally, this enables them to inhibit the indirect transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. Silver, possessing broad-spectrum, strong, and stable antibacterial properties, is considered to be a promising antibacterial material for use in coating applications. Carrier materials for active silver play an important role in its activity and stability. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on the effects of different types of carriers in such coating systems, especially in green powder coating systems. In this paper, we investigated two types of carriers for active silver agents: zeolite, i.e., Linde type A (LTA) zeolite and Y-type zeolite; clay-based materials, i.e., montmorillonite and vermiculite. All the agents showed high antibacterial activity, with antibacterial rates of over 99% as compared to commercial agents. Among the four agents, the Ag-LTA zeolite antimicrobial agent showed a reduction rate of over 99.99%; additionally, it maintained a reduction rate of 99% after seven washing cycles. Thus, this agent was demonstrated to have the highest effectiveness and high durability; these features can be attributed to the high silver content and small particle size. The LTA zeolite also provides a protective effect for silver ions, protecting them from reduction, due to the restriction of elemental silver formation within the confined interior space of the α-cage structure. The Y-type zeolite antimicrobial agent exhibited a slightly lower antimicrobial performance due to its higher silicon-to-aluminum ratio and its lower cation exchange capacity. Comparatively, antimicrobial agents utilizing clay-based carriers have lower cation exchange capacity, resulting in poorer antimicrobial effectiveness than zeolite carriers. In addition, silver loaded on clay-based materials is prone to detach from the carrier and undergo a reduction reaction, making the coating yellowish in color. This study first provides information on the roles of different types of carriers in powder coating systems; then, this information guides the selection of carriers for active silver for the development of efficient antimicrobial agents and coatings. Full article

Wood chipboard, common in interior spaces for applications ranging from furniture to decorative panelling, often falls short due to the presence of toxic adhesives, posing risks to both human health and the environment. This research delves into the potential transformation of wood chipboard into a 100% bio-based product. Previous research has shown the possibility of the partial replacement of petrochemical-based adhesives with bio-based adhesives. Hence, previous results do not reach the policy ambitions of the Green Deal of making the Green Transition to a bio-based economy. For chipboard production, logging residues from Latvian State Forests were systematically gathered within two months post-logging, comprising primarily Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris biomass, including branches, needles, bark, and various particles. A custom chipper and Vibrotehnik PM-120 hammer mill were employed for particle size separation into three fractions via sieving: <2.8 mm, 2.8–8 mm, and 8.0–10.0 mm, and combined with binders and hot-pressed into board samples. As a result, particle boards containing 100% bio-based carbon were achieved, demonstrating the possibility of excluding petroleum adhesives from chipboard production, paving the way for new research exploring bio-based binders and conifer bark. Full article

In architectural spaces, the ambiance created by lighting plays a significant role in influencing people’s emotions, often relying on the use of color and light. However, previous research has primarily focused on urban architectural spaces, with relatively less attention given to rural environments, especially the interior spaces of rural accommodation. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of colored lighting within rural accommodation interiors on people’s emotions and visual perceptions. Additionally, the study aims to establish an emotional dimension model to map the experimental results onto eight basic emotions, utilizing the PAD model for quantitative analysis. To achieve this goal, the researchers recruited 90 participants and divided them into six groups, each experiencing different combinations of indoor lighting scenes with varying colors. Participants evaluated their emotions and visual perceptions. The study results indicate that the combination of cool and warm white light with colored light significantly influences the arousal level of participants but has a relatively lower impact on pleasure levels, dominance and relaxation levels. In comparing the emotions experienced after exposure to cool and warm white light followed by colored light, warm white light elicited more positive emotions. Furthermore, colored light following cool white light diminished the sense of warmth in light, while yellow–blue light enhanced visual comfort and blue–red light increased attraction. Overall, the effect of colored lighting in rural accommodation interior spaces on improving negative emotions was relatively weak. Conversely, the combination of warm white light with blue–yellow or green–yellow light had a more significant effect on enhancing visual perceptions and reducing participants’ anxiety. This research provides valuable insights and references for designing the lighting ambiance in rural accommodation interiors and lighting design, with the potential to enhance the spatial experience of rural accommodations. Full article