Architecture, Volume 5, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 20 articles

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems facing rapid degradation. This research explores architectural design solutions for bio-enhancing modular prototypes to support coral attachment and growth. Inspired by coral polyps, nine biomimetic designs were created using Maya and Rhinoceros 3D to optimise surfaces for coral settlement. A total of 75 prototypes (15 × 15 cm) were fabricated, incorporating four materials—PETG, concrete, oyster concrete, and clay—and seven colour variations—sand, translucent green, translucent brown, red, pink, grey, and reddish. The findings indicate that 3D printing with PETG was the most efficient fabrication method but required structural support and long-term underwater testing, while oyster concrete demonstrated potential for self-sustaining structures. This study highlights the role of architectural design in marine restoration, promoting biodiversity and resource-efficient solutions. By integrating corals into the design, these structures can self-grow and adapt, reducing material consumption and long-term maintenance. Full article

Construction is considered an ecosystem that incorporates many technical, legal, and practical aspects. This article focuses on the practical side of construction, specifically on the use of BIM (building information modeling) during the design phase. In the construction industry, BIM ensures better collaboration and project management by centralizing all information on the same platform. It allows each project stakeholder to exchange documents in real time and contribute to resolving any unforeseen issues or constraints that are encountered. Following an extensive literature review, it has been demonstrated that a lack of communication and collaboration among stakeholders is considered one of the major obstacles to the widespread use of BIM in architectural offices and agencies. The main contribution of this work is to clarify the roles of stakeholders and the rights and temporalities of access, consultation, and modification of the digital BIM model. To achieve this, a collaborative engineering method was applied to propose organizational models for the work of construction stakeholders who are using a collaborative engineering approach during the initial stage of a project (design phase), in order to define the roles of stakeholders and their access to the BIM model. Full article

Housing informality (HI), and particularly unauthorized modifications, are a widely spread phenomenon in Morocco’s rapidly growing coastal suburb of Harhoura, Rabat. While previous research has already focused on the socio-economic aspects of informal adaptations in affordable and middle-class housing contexts in Morocco, it leaves a gap regarding how HI is expressed in affluent settings independently and in relation to the other contexts. This research aims to visually capture how residents adapt their housing through unauthorized modifications. The research objectives are to analyze informalities that are unique to affordable, middle-class, and affluent housing and to examine if there are any shared HI patterns that transcend socio-economic contexts. This paper utilizes a mixed-methods approach by superposing fieldwork data, including the recollection of existing buildings and authorized archival data, with the help of a referential grid based on three case studies in Harhoura, Rabat, affordable, middle-class, and affluent settings, which enables effective individual and communal spatial-morphological analyses. The findings reveal distinctive and shared patterns from one side and propagation dynamics from the other, including important concepts, such as mirroring (the replication of similar informalities) and contrast (the implementation of informalities in contrast with the existing ones), between the different socio-economic contexts, which suggest higher transcending shared needs between them. By showcasing that people of diverse socio-economic means adapt their homes in strikingly similar ways, this study discredits the assumption that poverty is the primary driver of renovation approaches. This broadened lens enriches our understanding of how urban housing evolves and points to the urgency of inclusive strategies addressing key housing priorities for all. Full article

Post-disaster resettlement often faces abandonment and modification; yet, the factors influencing long-term residential satisfaction, especially within diverse communities, remain underexplored. This study examines how satisfaction evolves over time in relation to socio-economic status and community participation comparing the underprivileged Thami community in Panipokhari and the privileged Brahmin community in Jillu Integrated Settlement of Nepal. Using a mixed-method case study approach, this research integrates quantitative satisfaction scores with qualitative insights from surveys, interviews, and observations over three years. Findings reveal diverging satisfaction trends: Jillu’s satisfaction remained stable (3.55 to 3.43 from 2021 to 2023), whereas Panipokhari’s declined (3.27 to 2.33) due to unmet housing needs and limited participation. Correlation tests and qualitative interviews confirmed that while all five key factors—housing design, thermal comfort, water, cultural appropriateness, and architectural aesthetics—influenced satisfaction, their importance varied. These findings challenge “one size fits all” top-down resettlement models, demonstrating that housing adaptability and participatory decision-making are more critical than structural adequacy alone. The study underscores the need for flexible, community-driven housing strategies within the Build Back Better (BBB) framework. By integrating the housing satisfaction theory, the housing mobility theory, and the BBB framework, it advances understanding of socio-economic agency in shaping post-disaster housing outcomes, providing insights for sustainable and inclusive resettlement policies. Full article

Mental health challenges among university students and staff are a pressing concern globally and in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Despite adopting frameworks like the Okanagan Charter to promote health and well-being, there is a lack of empirical research on how campus landscapes contribute to mental health promotion. This is a preliminary study based on a Ph.D. research project aiming to investigate the role of campus landscapes in supporting relaxation and internal recovery through everyday activities. We conducted a comparative multi-case study involving 66 participants from the University of Auckland, Lincoln University, and the University of Otago, exploring how they use and prefer campus landscapes for relaxation. Our findings indicate that ‘enjoying nature’ is the most preferred relaxation activity, with participants engaging both actively and passively with various spaces such as gardens, open lawns, and forested areas. Additionally, in campus settings, the proximity of relaxation spaces appears to be more important than design quality because of the limited time during working hours, which points to the importance of thoughtful campus planning. This study also found that university staff are often overlooked in discussions about healthy universities, despite their significant role in the campus setting. Overall, this study highlights the importance of biophilic design principles in creating health-promoting campus environments and offers initial insights for integrating natural elements into campus planning to enhance mental health and well-being. Full article

This study presents a detailed analysis of the doors found in traditional buildings located in the historical Konuralp region of Düzce. Within the scope of the research, three structures were selected from the traditional neighborhoods of Konuralp, focusing on those that have preserved their original architectural features. The analysis encompasses the functions of the doors, their opening directions, horizontal and vertical alignments, dimensions, and material properties, as well as decorative and ornamental characteristics. Location information and photographs of the buildings, along with the distinctive features of each door, were documented through comprehensive inventory studies. The results of the study reveal the structural and aesthetic qualities of the doors belonging to traditional Turkish houses and emphasize the necessity for restoration and preservation efforts for doors that have experienced deterioration. This study aims to contribute to the preservation of the traditional architectural heritage in the region. Furthermore, it suggests that appropriate conservation strategies should be developed to transmit the construction techniques and unique characteristics of these doors to future generations. In this context, the study aims to serve as a resource for documenting and preserving traditional structures in the Konuralp region and provides a scientific foundation that can be used as a reference in similar research studies. Full article

Pedestrian walkways are essential elements of university campus design and urban planning. The function of campus walkways is not only safe walking but also to hold many social activities like interacting and socializing. This paper aims to assess design criteria of successful walkways in the middle eastern arid campus. To achieve the aim, a mixed research methodological approach is adopted whereby a number of qualitative and quantitative methods like naturalistic observation on a case, in-depth interviews, and questionnaire survey are employed to gather data. The study outcomes include a framework of 10 design assessment criteria of successful campus walkways. The shortcomings of middle eastern campus walkways are ranked according to their importance whereby the most and least important shortcomings are identified as the “lack of barrier free environment” and “lack of greeneries along the walkways”, respectively. Full article

The subject of the research is the attractive Kościelna Street connecting two prestigious districts of the city of Poznań (Jeżyce and Sołacz). The oval ring layout of the street with its characteristic green separation strip sets the tone for the entire district. The urban layout, preserved for almost 300 years, is tied to its pioneers—settlers brought from Bamberg (Upper Franconia, Bavaria). The problems of maintaining the historical identity of the place and its inhabitants as well as the identity of the architecture (transformation from farmstead to frontage layout) are highlighted. The phenomenon of gentrification is the background to the deliberations. A chronicle of events over three centuries allows it to be described as creeping. Nevertheless, three types of gentrification have been examined: economic, social and symbolic (cultural). Research methods in the context of the multidisciplinary nature of the issue, emerging dilemmas and an overview of street attractiveness research are discussed. A method based on the Net Promoter Score has been used as an aid to determine the attractiveness of an architectural structure. The importance of social and symbolic aspects has been pointed out so that gentrification does not become rapacious. Full article

In recent decades, architectural design has increasingly shifted its focus from insulated, sealed, and highly technological building envelopes to more responsive façade strategies tailored to local climatic and socio-cultural conditions. This evolution reflects the growing recognition of the façade, not merely as a surface or skin, but as a vital spatial and functional element which responds to rising demands for spatial appropriation, individuality, climate adaptability, and a dynamic relationship between urban and architectural scales. Given its inherent complexity, this approach to façade design requires extensive theoretical and historical exploration, complemented by critical and typological analysis, to address the contradictions inherent in contemporary architecture. This article explores the theoretical and applied dimensions of the space-containing façade, analyzing its precedents, interpretations, and applications within collective housing design. By tracing pivotal developments in twentieth-century architecture, it highlights the transitional role of the façade as a spatial, climatic, and social interface. This combined perspective is framed within broader theoretical discussions, including the tension between tradition and modernity, the interplay between architecture and context, the emergence of bioclimatic design, and shifting notions of privacy. Within this framework, this study seeks to illuminate how housing façades can foster urban engagement and collective living while balancing formal considerations with performance demands to shape more adaptable and sustainable future environments. Full article

Aspects of increasing digitalization reinforce tendencies to normalize youth, which is reflected in underestimating and misinterpreting mistrust and stress. Creative means of interacting in public urban situations encourages physical and object-related interventions between people. According to the present hypothesis, experiences in the context of these interventions have the potential to help meet growing individualization requirements. However, these requirements are increasingly underestimated and require appropriate trial treatment spaces. We analyze the possibilities of changing social relations in the public–urban spatial structure with the help of the resonance concept. We understand public–urban spatial structures of temporary appropriation as a relevant phenomenon for the ongoing socio-spatial construction of urban reality. By analyzing the resonance levels of appropriation processes, both the proportional world relations and the respective subjective experience can be described: subjects enter into a resonant relationship with objects that represent the outside world by allowing themselves to be affected and emotionally touched and are open to a reciprocal transformation. This article will examine the extent to which the consideration of the premises derived from resonance theory can lead to changed preconditions and expanded points of reference in the field of urban and spatial planning. In relation to the theme of this Special Issue, we hope to open up a discussion about possible perspectives on inclusive urban spatial practice based on resonance and an expanded definition of sociality. Full article

Urban visual pollution, mainly driven by outdoor advertisements, is becoming increasingly prevalent in built environments. While urban visual pollution and outdoor advertising have been thoroughly examined in the Global North, less is known about these issues in the Global South. Therefore, this study examines the prevalence and impact of outdoor advertising in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focusing on both its forms and the perceptions of residents and commuters. The study employed key informant interviews, field observations, and surveys. The results show a significant increase in outdoor advertisements with 78% of respondents noting a recent rise and 62% feeling overwhelmed by their abundance. Additionally, the study reveals the negative effects of outdoor advertisements on urban aesthetics, as 82% of respondents believe these advertisements diminish the visual appeal of the city. The study underscores the perception of visual pollution, particularly in densely populated areas, where advertising clutter compromises the urban environment. Key contributing factors include a lack of regulation, poorly placed outdoor advertisements, inconsistent design, excessive size and brightness, and overcrowding. This study suggests the need for improved regulatory frameworks and community engagement in outdoor advertising to enhance the visual quality of urban spaces in developing countries like Ethiopia. Full article

Urban studies research has increasingly focused on placemaking and place attachment in public open places. While several studies have explored how immigrants interact with these places, this study investigates how cultural differences affect immigrants’ place attachment, providing a deeper understanding of inclusive urban design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 students from India, Iran, China, and Australia, in Southport, a preferred neighborhood for immigrants on the Gold Coast, Australia. NVivo software was used to analyze the data and extract themes. The findings highlighted that, despite universal factors such as natural environments and social opportunities, cultural factors are crucial in shaping individuals’ experiences. Full article

This paper presents a systematic post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of a gated apartment building in Onaizah, Qassim, Saudi Arabia, focusing on resident satisfaction and building performance. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative data from questionnaires and qualitative data from walkthrough observations and interviews to assess various performance aspects, including thermal comfort, visual comfort, acoustic performance, and safety. Results indicate that residents generally expressed satisfaction with thermal comfort, visual comfort, and indoor air quality. However, concerns were highlighted in areas such as safety and security, design adequacy, and construction support services. These findings reveal that while the building meets many occupant needs, there are critical areas requiring improvement. This study underscores the importance of incorporating POE as a valuable tool for assessing building performance and informing future design and management strategies in residential developments. Finally, this study’s methodology excelled in analyzing the quality and performance of residential building elements, which contributes to enriching the literature related to facilities management. It explains the research strategy followed to provide an organized and reliable framework that can be used to evaluate performance and quality in residential buildings. Full article

The restoration of historical landscapes is crucial for preserving the cultural heritage. This study focuses on the cemetery of the former royal Tatoi estate, a historical site severely damaged by a wildfire in 2021. The fire almost completely eradicated the vegetation on Palaeokastro hill, necessitating a comprehensive vegetation restoration strategy. This research aims to restore the natural environment and historical landscape landmarks and improve future fire protection conditions. This study emphasizes creating a firebreak zone through thinning vegetation, aiding natural regeneration, and planting new seedlings, particularly Aleppo pines and cypresses. We recommend thinning interventions to reduce tree density, which improves the health of the remaining trees and lowers the fire risk. Additionally, the restoration of historical pathways, including cypress-lined routes, is proposed to preserve the cultural landscape. This study underscores the importance of maintaining the historical integrity and enhancing the resilience of the landscape against future fires. Full article

Since the Industrial Revolution, climate change has intensified due to rising greenhouse gas emissions, leading to severe environmental impacts. Given the building sector’s significant contribution to climate change, the circular economy has emerged as a key mitigation strategy. Despite political support and some advancements, significant barriers persist in the building sector’s transition to the circular economy. This article explores the pivotal role of stakeholders as essential agents of change, highlighting the necessity of a concentrated effort on stakeholder engagement in the building sector’s circular economy transition. Using an online questionnaire, this article evaluated the current status of the building sector, as well as stakeholders’ awareness, roles, and perspectives on the transition. The results revealed that while stakeholders are aware of their environmental impacts, knowledge gaps persist, particularly in waste management and circular economy practices. The stakeholders recognize that the transition is happening, but there is a sense of uncertainty about its effectiveness due to substantial barriers. Despite these barriers, there is an increasing commitment toward the practices of the circular economy, underscoring the need for policy development, infrastructure provision, and training programs to support the transition. This article contributes to the literature by providing insights into key stakeholders’ perspectives and offering actionable strategies to enhance engagement for a more effective transition to the circular economy in the building sector. Full article

This study explores the acoustic properties of European Churches, influenced by architectural design, historical context, and spatial configurations. A comparative analysis of 83 Churches from different regions and periods combines literature reviews and empirical data to understand the interplay between architecture and acoustics. Key geometric parameters—volume, surface area, length, height, and aisle count—were compared with acoustic metrics to provide a comprehensive view of these sacred spaces. The study identified the key factors influencing acoustic characteristics, uncovering significant variability within the same architectural style. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) further highlighted distinct patterns and outliers, showing that Gothic, Neoclassical, and modern architectural styles possess unique acoustic signatures. These findings challenge the assumption of uniform acoustics within similar styles, revealing that even minor architectural differences can substantially impact sound behavior. Outliers were particularly informative, representing Churches with unique acoustic properties, which shed light on how specific design elements affect sound propagation. The study underscores the complexity of the relationship between architecture and acoustics in Churches and suggests that further research should consider both quantitative measures and subjective experiences to fully capture the acoustic environment of these historic spaces. Full article

Urban energy simulation research has been explored to forecast the impact of urban developments on energy footprints. However, the achievement of accuracy, scalability, and applicability is still unfulfilled in addressing site-specific conditions and unbuilt development scenarios. This research aims to investigate the integration method of urban modeling, simulation, and machine learning (ML) predictions for the forecasting of the solar radiation of urban development plans in the United States. The research consisted of a case study of Smart Growth development in the southern Kansas City metropolitan area. First, this study analyzed Smart Growth regulations and created urban models using parametric Building Information Modeling (BIM). Then, a simulation interface was created to perform simulation iterations. The simulation results were then used to create ML models for context-specific solar radiation prediction. For ML model creation, four algorithms were compared and tested with several data diagnosis techniques. The simulation results indicated that solar radiation levels are associated with block and building configurations, which are specified in the Smart Growth regulations. Among the four ML models, XGBoost had higher predictability for multiple urban blocks. The results also showed that the performance of ML algorithms is sensitive to data diagnosis and model selection techniques. Full article

This research concerns the exterior lighting of historic buildings and cultural heritage monuments. Its objective is to organize a methodology for the study of facades, to record the individual or grouped morphological and decorative elements of the facades, and to organize the steps to achieve a presentation of different ways of lighting these elements. This presentation is made by an experimental digital lighting simulation, leading the researcher to discover the relationship between light and the architectural element being illuminated. Finally, the results of the simulations are evaluated by experts in the field of lighting, who attest to the emotions generated by the observation of the different lighting scenarios, while an attempt is then made to synthesize these results on an entire building facade, to determine whether this synthesis of the individual lighting effects is practicable. The analysis of the results reveals the trends in each lighting scenario, leading to a variety of emotions, whether they arise from a specific morphological element or from the entire facade. Full article

Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms have long been used by architects to find objective solutions to complex building problems involving trade-offs implicit in sustainable building design. At a larger scale, urban designers have created a variety of tools to improve sustainability in urban-and-larger scale design. However, to date, fewer studies have focused on improving sustainability outcomes at the “in between” scale of the neighborhood and urban site. Existing scholarship on optimization at this scale has tended to take a narrow view of sustainability. We seek to expand the implementation of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms to this sometimes overlooked scale while taking a broad view of sustainability which includes social, environmental, and economic design factors. In doing so, we argue this optimization method is uniquely well suited to help designers balance the sometimes competing demands of multiple axes of sustainability which are applicable to design at this larger-than-building scale. In demonstrating the application of such an algorithm to a hypothetical problem in Chicago, we find the method offers a promising way of narrowing potential design solutions. Finally, we discuss the suitability of the solutions generated, the virtues and shortcomings of the method, and offer areas for future study. Full article

The level of detail (LOD) differentiates multi-scale representations of virtual 3D city models; however, the LOD tends to relay primarily the geometric details of buildings. When the LOD extends to other datasets, such as vegetation, transportation, terrain, water bodies, and city furniture, their LODs are not as clearly defined. Despite the general acceptance of this categorization, existing LOD formats also neglect non-geometric attributes. Integrating geometric and attribute data enables geometrically accurate and data-rich 3D models, ensuring that representations are as accurate as possible and that analyses contain as much information as possible. This paper proposes a family of LOD definitions considering both geometric and attribute data based on the geometric complexity and difficulty of obtaining, archiving, processing, and distributing the data. These definitions are intended to apply to all datasets by determining divisions in the LOD typically experienced across urban 3D model elements and their associated datasets, including buildings, vegetation, roads, relief, water bodies, and city furniture. Universally applicable definitions for datasets allow individuals to recreate studies or representations of 3D models to ensure the relevant data are present. These definitions also assist data providers in evaluating their data infrastructure and further strategizing and prioritizing updates or upgrades. Full article