International Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology
The International Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology (IJAET) is a peer-reviewed open-access journal that explores the convergence of architecture, engineering, and emerging technologies. It publishes original research and reviews focused on digital design, AI-driven construction, sustainable materials, building performance, and smart built environments. With an emphasis on interdisciplinary innovation and global collaboration, IJAET provides a platform for advancing knowledge that drives the next generation of resilient, energy-efficient, and human-centered buildings.
All the published articles are licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Embodied Carbon of Mass Timber Buildings in the United States: A Systematic Review of Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) Evidence
This review synthesizes peer-reviewed life-cycle assessment (LCA) studies evaluating the embodied carbon and global warming potential (GWP) of mid-rise mass-timber buildings in the United States. Prompted by regulatory changes in the 2021 International Building Code that permit taller timber construction, the review focuses on the policy, market, and environmental context. A rigorous, structured protocol incorporated comprehensive database searches, systematic screening, clearly defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and critical methodological appraisal. 30 peer-reviewed studies were identified that quantitatively assessed embodied carbon, GWP, and biogenic carbon flows in mass-timber systems, typically in comparison with reinforced concrete and steel alternatives. The reviewed literature demonstrates that mass-timber buildings exhibit lower GWP than conventional construction systems. Reported reductions range from 10–20% to 20–60%, depending on system boundaries, functional units, and modeling assumptions. Representative findings indicate cradle-to-gate reductions of 19–41% and cradle-to-grave reductions of 34–51%. Greater reductions are observed when biogenic carbon storage and end-of-life (EOL) recovery or recycling credits are considered. This review critically examines methodological variability across the evaluated studies. Principal sources of divergence include inconsistent system boundaries, heterogeneous functional units, non-standardized biogenic carbon accounting methods, and uncertain EOL scenarios. Regional factors, such as energy-grid composition, transportation, forest management, and climate conditions, further influence outcomes and limit direct comparability. The findings substantiate the embodied-carbon mitigation potential of mass-timber construction while underscoring the need for harmonized LCA methodologies, transparent reporting, region-specific data sets, and improved treatment of uncertainty to inform robust design and policy decisions.
Embodied carbon, Mass timber construction, Biogenic carbon accounting, Life cycle assessment (LCA), Global warming potential (GWP).
Copyright (c) 2026 Piyush Khairnar, Banan Alzoubi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Reading on Cultural Identity in Contemporary Turkish Architecture: Interpretive Strategies in the Works of Turgut Cansever and Nevzat Sayın
Contemporary Turkish architecture has endeavored to shape itself in a distinctive quest for identity between universal values and local cultural identity since the founding of the Republic. Turkish architects have developed various approaches that reinterpret cultural identity to address this dilemma. This study examines the cultural and intellectual dynamics of the search for identity in Turkish architecture from the second half of the twentieth century to the twenty-first century through influential examples. The primary objective is to understand how architects have integrated cultural identity into architectural design processes and the strategies they employed. The methodological framework is Kenneth Frampton's critical regionalism discourse, as established in "Ten Points on an Architecture of Regionalism: A Provisional Polemic." Exemplary structures are analyzed through criteria determining cultural identity in architectural works. The study examines the works of Turgut Cansever and Nevzat Sayın, focusing on their approaches to translating cultural values into contemporary architectural language and their theoretical foundations. Cansever carries traditional Ottoman-Islamic heritage into modern context, while Sayın demonstrates highly context-sensitive approaches. Research findings reveal that both architects employ distinct yet complementary strategies in conveying cultural identity. Cansever grounds his approach in metaphysical understanding emphasizing organic wholeness, whereas Sayın proceeds from phenomenological sensitivity prioritizing contextual dialogue. The results demonstrate that successful integration of cultural identity emerges through balanced combination of these approaches. This study contributes by analyzing the relationship between cultural identity and contemporary architectural design within a theoretical framework, presenting a methodological foundation for future architectural design practice.
Critical regionalism, Cultural identity in architecture, Contemporary Turkish architecture, Contextual architecture and locality.
Copyright (c) 2026 Masoud Matinpour, Nazan Kirci https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Deep-Learning based Monthly Precipitation Forecasting with Implications for Urban Design and Water Management
Accurate precipitation forecasting is essential for disaster preparedness and climate-responsive urban planning such as drainage designing under increasing climatic variability. This study investigates an entropy-guided deep learning framework to improve monthly precipitation forecasting by integrating the Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Entropy Transform (MODWET) with a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) model. Unlike the conventional Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transform (MODWT), MODWET employs entropy to objectively determine the optimal wavelet filter and decomposition level, addressing a key limitation in wavelet-based preprocessing related to over- or under-decomposition of hydroclimatic signals. While the effectiveness of MODWET has previously been demonstrated for streamflow forecasting, its application to precipitation prediction has not yet been explored. The proposed framework is evaluated using monthly precipitation data from three hydrometeorological case studies close to urbane are, selected from the CAMELS dataset across the United States. Model performance is assessed using multiple statistical metrics, including NSE, RMSE, percent bias (PBIAS), and correlation coefficient (r2). In addition, the Partial Correlation Index (PCI) is employed to identify informative predictors and reduce input redundancy. Results show that the hybrid PCI–MODWET–GRU model consistently outperforms the standalone GRU model, achieving improved correlation (up to r2 = 0.78 at selected stations) and overall predictive accuracy. These findings highlight the potential of combining entropy-based wavelet preprocessing with deep learning models to enhance precipitation forecasting reliability, with direct relevance for urban and peri-urban water management and climate-responsive design applications.
Deep learning, Precipitation forecasting, Urban water management, Climate-responsive design, Entropy-based wavelet decomposition.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad R.M. Behbahani, Javad Teymoori https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Translate Computational Simulation Results of Natural Ventilation in Tall Office Buildings into Human-Centered Insights
Tall office buildings are increasingly designed with sustainability and occupant comfort in mind, and natural ventilation plays a critical role in achieving these goals. However, their height and exposure to complex, variable wind conditions introduce significant challenges, often producing uneven airflow patterns that limit effective air movement and directly affect human experience and behavior. Computational simulations are widely used to analyze the natural ventilation potential in buildings, as they provide comprehensive information on airflow behavior. Velocity contour visualizations quantify airflow distribution, yet their direct translation into human experiential and behavioral understanding remains limited, despite their interpretive insights. This study presents a visualization method using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to translate computational simulation results into design-oriented visualizations, including atmospheric diagrams and collages, that communicate relative experiential and behavioral tendencies rather than precise predictions of human behavior. AI serves as the primary tool, generating interpretable visualizations from prompts composed of keywords representing airflow behavior and insights derived from selected published simulation results on natural ventilation in tall office buildings. The proposed framework bridges quantitative technical data and experiential interpretation through a structured, two-stage embedding process, allowing airflow distributions and associated emotional and behavioral responses to be represented visually. The resulting images emphasize perceptual legibility and comparative interpretation to support design reasoning and pedagogy. Limited to simplified airflow conditions and experiential indicators, the framework provides an early-stage method that supports design exploration, architectural education, and communication by integrating quantitative analysis, qualitative experience, and architectural representation into a coherent visual reasoning process.
AI-Driven Optimization and Climate Resilience in Future Building Design
Copyright (c) 2025 Yohan Kim, Chang He https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Structural Monitoring of Long-span Curved Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Frame using Distributed Fibre Optical Sensor
The paper presents the process and results of the structural health monitoring of two long-span curved reinforced concrete frames using the distributed fibre optical sensor. Optical fibres were attached to the steel reinforcing bars to obtain temperature, strain, deformation, and cracking information for the beams and columns. The temperature measurements were used to adjust the strain readings, then obtain the stress, deformation, and crack width estimations. Five measurements along the history of construction were taken with the first data set as the baseline right after casting the beams. The remaining four are measurements at 14, 28, 89, and 288 days. The measurements revealed that both ends of the long-span beams only have limited lateral movement due to the high lateral stiffness of the columns. The maximum deflections of the two beams are estimated to be 29 mm and 45 mm, respectively, which satisfy the design requirements. The maximum crack widths of both beams are estimated to be much less than 0.3 mm. The presented work demonstrates the effectiveness of distributed fibre optical sensors in monitoring long-span reinforced concrete frames with limitations to be improved in the future implementations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jun Xia, Rengeng Zheng, Xiaodong Chen, Lihua Tan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Optimizing Urban Layout for Solar Mitigation and Microclimate Regulation in Hot-Arid Coastal Resorts: A Parametric Simulation Study
The rapid expansion of tourism infrastructure in hot-arid coastal regions exacerbates energy demands and environmental stress, yet evidence-based urban design guidelines for low-density resorts remain underdeveloped. This study investigates the influence of urban layout design (ULD) on façade solar exposure and microclimate regulation, using Egypt's Red Sea coast as a case study. Its purpose is to identify morphological strategies that reduce solar heat gain, lower cooling energy demand, and enhance outdoor thermal comfort while facilitating renewable energy integration. A systematic parametric approach was employed, using TownScope-3 to generate and simulate 252 urban layout scenarios. Key urban form parameters—including open-space ratios, building orientation, canyon aspect ratios, and building distribution—were varied to evaluate their effects on façade-level solar radiation. Statistical analyses established robust correlations between morphology and solar mitigation outcomes. Findings demonstrate that urban morphology is a decisive determinant of environmental performance. East-West linear layouts reduced annual façade solar irradiation by up to 29%, while compact, vegetated U-shaped clusters achieved reductions of up to 48%. Based on established correlations reported in the literature, these solar reductions correspond to estimated cooling energy savings of 23–32% and significant improvements in outdoor thermal comfort. Furthermore, by lowering ambient thermal loads, these passive strategies enhance the operational efficiency and feasibility of photovoltaic (PV) systems, positioning urban layout as a dual passive-active sustainability lever.
Urban morphology, Hot-arid architecture, Microclimate regulation, Solar radiation mitigation, Sustainable tourism resorts.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ruwaa Bahgat, Rabee Reffat, Shawkat L. Elkady https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Politicized Humanitarian Architecture in Al-Hol Camp: Urban Density, Spatial Segregation, and Carceral Design in a Refugee Settlement
Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria represents an exceptional case in the architecture of refugee settlements. Established in the 1990s, it dramatically expanded since 2016. Today, it hosts more than 60 nationalities, into a dense urban-like settlement while remaining tightly controlled through fences, checkpoints, and surveillance. Its governance and spatial organization distinguish it from conventional camps, showing how humanitarian aid and systems of control have become deeply intertwined in its physical design and daily operations. The camp’s population diversity Syrians, Iraqis, and foreign nationals has produced deliberate spatial segregation, with separate sectors enforcing a fragmented socio-spatial order. This design prioritizes containment and security over integration or self-reliance, reinforcing dependency on humanitarian aid and limiting opportunities for sustainable development. This paper examines Al-Hol through three interrelated dimensions: (1) its historical development and spatial expansion; (2) its dual character as both an urban settlement and a carceral design; and (3) its function as a politicized humanitarian infrastructure shaped by regional and international agendas. The study draws on camp layouts, drone footage, and demographic data. It argues that Al-Hol exemplifies “politicized humanitarian architecture.” Here, planning decisions transform the camp into a controlled environment. This blurs the boundaries between refugee camp, city, and prison.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hanan Alahmad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Markets as Mechanisms: The Role of Small Shops in Post-War Urban Recovery
In post-conflict settings, recovery is commonly measured by rebuilt infrastructure and restored governance, yet these metrics overlook subtler forms of resilience rooted in everyday life. This paper argues that the reopening of small shops and the revival of local markets constitute a distinct and measurable axis of recovery, one that restores economic function while reweaving social bonds, cultural memory, and communal dignity. Focusing on Syria, the study reframes commerce as a site of healing where souks and storefronts operate simultaneously as livelihoods, social spaces, and symbolic claims to normalcy and resistance. The paper’s novelty lies in linking Syria’s historical position on the Silk and Incense Routes with contemporary grassroots market restoration, producing a historically informed framework that treats market revival as both heritage practice and adaptive urban strategy. Methodologically, the research combines ethnographic observation, oral histories, and spatial mapping across detailed case studies—Zamalka and Mukhayyam Al-Yarmouk souks in Damascus and Al-Madinah souk in Aleppo—complemented by comparative analysis of Mostar and Beirut to identify transferable dynamics and divergent trajectories. Findings show that market reopening accelerates informal governance, stimulates micro-enterprise networks, and regenerates public sociability, producing resilience outcomes that conventional reconstruction metrics miss. The paper concludes by proposing policy recommendations for recovery planners and heritage practitioners: prioritize micro-retail capacity building, protect informal trading spaces, and integrate market-sensitive indicators into recovery assessments. The relaunch of commercial services, the study contends, does more than reactivate income streams; it reclaims daily life and reaffirms communal continuity in post-crisis settings.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sedrah Alayoubi, Kindah Mousli https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Interdisciplinary Synthesis in Architecture: A Comparative Study of Technological Innovation and Cultural Agency
In the evolving landscape of modern and contemporary architecture, the convergence of art, science, and technology has redefined traditional paradigms, challenged perceptions of space, and pushed the boundaries of structural innovation. This paper investigates how influential architects have integrated technological and material innovations to reshape both the practice and societal role of architecture. Adopting a comparative case study methodology, it examines the works of selected architectural masters whose approaches exemplify distinct modes of interdisciplinary engagement across art, technology, and culture. The analysis identifies three recurring features: the reconfiguration of authorship through collaboration, the emergence of novel spatial typologies enabled by digital design and advanced materials, and the repositioning of architecture as a mediator of societal and cultural change. By synthesizing these findings, the study advances a framework arguing that interdisciplinary design practices are not only transforming architectural production but also reshaping its broader cultural agency.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tapashi K. Das, Kishore Dutta https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Educating for Unbuilt Futures: AI as a Co-Speculative Partner in Climate-Resilient Architectural Pedagogy
Architectural education stands at a critical intersection of accelerating climate crises, technological transformation, and social complexity. At the center of this transition lies Artificial Intelligence (AI)—a defining technology reshaping both design processes and cognitive paradigms. Although AI is becoming increasingly embedded in architectural practice, its pedagogical potential remains predominantly instrumental, often limited to applications in form generation and performance optimization. This study reframes AI as a co-speculative pedagogical partner—a reflective agent capable of nurturing ethical, ecological, and contextually responsive design intelligence. Responding to contemporary challenges such as climate instability, resource scarcity, and spatial inequality, the research aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 11, and 13). A multi-layered qualitative methodology was adopted to: (i) synthesize theoretical perspectives from speculative design, cognitive science, and environmental philosophy; (ii) examine international frameworks (NAAB, RIBA, UNESCO) to understand how AI’s pedagogical dimension is articulated; and (iii) compare traditional studio pedagogies with emerging AI-augmented workflows. Together, these layers construct a reproducible framework for evaluating AI’s educational integration. The findings identify five interconnected competency domains—technological literacy, strategic design thinking, environmental sensitivity, ethical awareness, and collaborative agency—derived from recent studies and international educational frameworks. While these domains resonate with existing institutional standards, they also reveal the need for new pedagogical models that situate AI within broader ecological and ethical objectives. The study argues that AI can function as a medium for contextual intelligence—bridging computational logic with embodied, climate-responsive creativity. The proposed framework reimagines architectural education as a reflective and adaptive ecosystem where AI enhances, rather than replaces, human judgment. It fosters a synergistic dialogue between data-driven reasoning and embodied design intelligence, preparing future architects to act ethically, creatively, and ecologically within complex design environments.
Copyright (c) 2025 Elif Süyük Makakli https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Validation of a Gamified Circular Design Methodology through a Design Workshop
This research integrates theory with practice (thought and action) connecting real-life problems to theorical foundations, with the dual aim of solving a design problem in the circular economy (CE) and delivering new knowledge through experimentation. This paper stems from the observation that architects commonly rely on their personal experience while designing without adopting structured frameworks. The present study aims at validating a previously proposed circular design methodological framework in practice. To achieve this aim, the research employed a design workshop to test this design methodology. This is followed by an analysis of how non-expert architects in CE perceived and applied it. The study recorded participants’ interaction with the gamification sense implied in the methodology and assessed their ability to develop designs compatible with CE principles. Data collection included sketches, video recordings, observations, and written notes. The findings highlight the potential of the circular design methodology to support the design process in CE. Participants reported positive experiences, describing the methodology as flexible, easy to comprehend, enjoyable, time-efficient, and educational. The results validate the applicability of this circular design methodology, leading to setting a step-by-step guideline for its future implementation. Ultimately, the validation of this design methodology may promote wider dissemination and acceleration of the culture of circular design in architectural practices, even for non-expert architects in CE.
Copyright (c) 2025 Menatalla M.A.M. Ramadan, Aly H. Gabr https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
AI-Enabled Smart Buildings and Digital Energy Literacy: The DEL-EQ Framework for Equitable Adoption
The rapid rise of smart building technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and dynamic pricing systems is transforming energy use from a passive to an interactive process. While these innovations promise efficiency and sustainability, they also introduce new digital, cognitive, and ethical demands for building occupants. Traditional models of energy literacy, framed around cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions, no longer capture the competencies required in AI-driven systems. To address this gap, this article introduces the Digital Energy Literacy for Equitable Adoption (DEL-EQ) framework, which extends classical energy literacy by adding four critical dimensions: comprehension, interpretation, agency, and trust & ethics. A narrative and integrative literature review highlights how these dimensions interact with moderating factors at the individual, technological, and community levels. The novelty of DEL-EQ lies in situating digital energy literacy as both a technical and a justice-oriented capacity, thereby bridging social science and engineering perspectives. The framework offers actionable policy implications, including literacy thresholds, AI explainability, community-based training, and inclusive design. DEL-EQ thus provides scholars, designers, and policymakers with a conceptual foundation for preventing digital energy inequality and fostering the equitable adoption of smart building technologies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hafize Nurgul Durmus Senyapar, Ramazan Bayindir https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
BIM Integrated Framework for Efficient Information Exchange in Green Building Design: A Critical Review
Adequate implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in green building practices, known as green BIM, enables the multidiscipline team to efficiently exchange information to meet the overarching criteria of green building assessment tools (GBATs) like Malaysian Carbon Reduction and Environmental Sustainability Tools (MyCREST). However, issues of inaccurate information exchange during the green BIM process persist, resulting in a flawed decision-making process. Besides, compared to the environmental indicators, the socioeconomic aspect of sustainability has not been adequately considered in GBATs like MyCREST. Furthermore, the enhancement of information exchange in green BIM practice has been underexplored in the literature. This study critically reviews 200 articles published between 2008 and 2024 to identify the critical components for information exchange in the green BIM process. Then, a comparative analysis was conducted on five widely used GBATs to augment MyCREST Design. Afterward, established BIM standards and guides were scrutinized to identify the best practices of digital information exchange. As a result, the MyCREST-BIM Integrated Framework (MyBIF) was developed, encompassing core components like Augmented MyCREST Design, Technology Enablers, and Institutional Support. The developed MyBIF provides researchers and practitioners with valuable insights into real-time collaboration and efficient exchange of information in green building design.
Copyright (c) 2025 Chukwuka C. Ohueri, Jibril A. Bamgbade, Wallace I. Enegbuma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Adaptive Façade Strategies for Energy Efficiency: A Case Study Optimization in Cold and Semi-Arid Climates
The increasing global energy consumption in the building sector highlights an urgent need for energy-efficient design solutions. This study investigates the optimization of residential building envelopes in Bojnord, Iran—a city with a cold and semi-arid climate (BSk), characterized by harsh winters and relatively warm summers. A simulation-based methodology was adopted using parametric modeling and building energy simulation tools to assess envelope performance. Five façade strategies were selected for evaluation based on their climatic relevance, geometric adaptability, and feasibility within common construction limitations: optimized Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR), ventilated double-skin façades (DSF) with air insulation and shading, Voronoi-based shading systems, perforated panels, and variable-porosity façades inspired by traditional Iranian geometry. Adaptive versions of these strategies were also examined. Results indicate that optimizing the WWR to 20% significantly reduces energy consumption, while dynamic façade systems—particularly those with adjustable WWR—offer the highest energy savings, reducing total consumption by approximately 7.73% compared to the baseline model. Conversely, some fixed strategies such as static perforated façades led to increased energy use. The findings provide insights for architects and urban planners into the role of adaptive and climate-responsive envelope systems in achieving energy efficiency and thermal comfort in cold and semi-arid regions. Limitations related to material costs, control complexity, and long-term performance of dynamic systems are also discussed.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hanieh Gholami, Fatemeh Rezaei, Hanieh M. Ahmadi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Thermal Comfort Assessment of Temporary Shelters Used in Türkiye by CFD Analysis
This research assessed the thermal comfort conditions of temporary shelters in Türkiye using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index. A typical container-type shelter was selected as the model for the analysis. Simulations were conducted on July 21 at four different times: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software Ansys Fluent was utilized to perform the simulations. Eight shelters positioned in various parts of a standard shelter layout were analyzed. Two ventilation scenarios were considered: one with only the doors open, and another with both doors and windows open. While PMV quantifies the average thermal sensation on a scale from -3 (cold) to +3 (hot), in Scenario 1, the general scale of PMV is hot or exceeds the hot scale; besides, the number of situations classified as warm and slightly warm in Scenario 2 increases. In Scenario 1, PMV values were generally high and surpassed the thermal comfort threshold (+3-hot), especially during the morning and midday hours, while natural ventilation improved significantly, leading to lower PMV values, which are about +2(warm), and enhanced thermal comfort in Scenario 2. As a result, it is recommended to consider site-specific orientation, prioritizing layouts that maximize exposure to prevailing wind directions, particularly for living and sleeping areas, while also minimizing the exposure of heavily occupied zones to intense solar radiation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ayça Gülten, Seval Yolacti https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Ecodesign: Green Solutions for Design of Steel Building Envelopes
In recent years, the impact that man has on the environment has become increasingly evident, and the planet itself is starting to re-bel against this great and uncontrolled exploitation of its resources. The need to seek change by approaching a totally sustainable lifestyle is now obvious. Sustainability has in fact become a major player in today's society, infiltrating every area of it, including construction. In the construction field, man's impact is unfortunately inevitable, but it can be mitigated by developing new sustainable technologies, and it is precisely with these that we have had the opportunity to approach a new vision of architecture, arriving at what is called Ecodesign, a way of designing that respects the environment and the resources offered by Nature. The research was conducted on a new building, under construction, within the university campus of Fisciano, Salerno, designed mainly with a steel construction system.
Copyright (c) 2025 Giacomo Di Ruocco, Federica Frulio https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Corrigendum to: Human Footprint on Natural Systems: Missing Post-war Scenario in the Urban Context of Damascus
All regions in Syria have witnessed a decline in green spaces due to the spread of illegal logging operations and a decline in interest in agricultural wealth due to the Systems. Missing post-war Scenario in the Urban Context of Damascus,” the author would like to revise the Acknowledgement and Credits sections to better reflect the contributions of collaborating institutions. The revised sections are provided below: Acknowledgement [A]FA has been collaborating with the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Damascus and the Damascus-based Reparametrize Foundation as part of their ongoing project Recoding Post-War-Syria, Zamalka. Students have been selected from each institution to participate in the lab. Credits [APPLIED] FOREIGN AFFAIRS, IoA, University of Applied Arts Vienna / Reparametrize Studio These revisions do not affect the scientific content, results, or conclusions of the article. The author and the editorial team regret the omission and have now rectified the record.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Evaluating the Educational Impact of Studio-Based Design Methodologies in Architectural Courses
Architecture studios are essential in teaching design skills. Exploring how different design methodologies impact student performance helps improve education, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and better learning outcomes in architecture programs. The objective of the research is to examine the impact of various design methodologies on student achievement in architecture studios, identifying effective teaching approaches that enhance creativity, critical thinking, and overall performance in architectural education. The research involved 526 architecture students as participants. Data were collected using structured surveys to identify design methodologies and academic performance records. The software IBM SPSS Statistics version 17.0 was used to perform these statistical analyses including correlation coefficients, multiple linear regressions (MLR), ANOVA and paired t-test to examine the relationship between teaching methodologies and student achievement, providing insights into their impact on performance. Examined five factors: collaborative learning, iterative processes, instructor feedback, problem-solving skills, and time management. These factors were analyzed to determine their influence on student creativity, critical thinking, and overall achievement in architecture studio projects. The outcomes revealed a significant positive correlation among specific design methodologies and student achievement. Collaborative and iterative approaches showed the strongest impact on creativity and performance. Collaborative and iterative methodologies significantly enhance student achievement, highlighting the importance of effective teaching strategies in architecture studios.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hasibullah Khan, Ahmad J. Niazi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Awareness and Energy Conservation Behaviors: A Case Study of Institutional Buildings in Hail, Saudi Arabia
The growing challenges of carbon emissions and global warming necessitate global efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) faces significant challenges in ensuring a sustainable electricity supply in buildings, including high energy demand driven by extreme climate conditions, heavy reliance on fossil fuels, and inefficiencies in energy distribution and consumption patterns. This study explores the relationship between employee awareness, energy conservation behaviors, and electricity consumption in three architecturally identical institutional buildings in Hail province, which exhibit significant variations in energy use. Using a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative approaches, structured questionnaires were distributed to 27 employees, with 21 responses analyzed through SPSS using a five-point Likert scale. Results reveal that behavior, rather than awareness, is the primary driver of energy consumption, as Building 3 exhibited the highest energy-saving behaviors despite moderate awareness levels. Workplace norms, peer influence, and reinforcement mechanisms significantly impact energy-saving actions, while awareness alone proves insufficient in fostering consistent behavioral engagement.
Copyright (c) 2025 Abdelhakim Mesloub, Mohammed A. Alghaseb, Nawwaf Al-Sabhan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Optimizing Residential Energy Efficiency Through Strategic Landscaping in Hot-Arid Regions
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a hot and arid climate, with the maximum summer temperature above 50°C. This high temperature can significantly hinder energy generation and usage since air conditioning is extensively used during the summer and is the primary cause of energy consumption. These researchers have to develop innovative solutions to overcome the above issues, as these would help decrease energy usage and improve the microclimate. In this study, the researchers have determined the efficiency of having green spaces to improve outdoor thermal comfort and decrease energy consumption in residential complexes that were developed by KSA’s Ministry of Housing (M.o.H). For this purpose, they have used a hybrid model that combined field data analysis and simulation modelling techniques to determine the effect of strategic landscaping on the microclimate and subsequent energy consumption. Their study showed that the integration of green spaces leads to a 3% decrease in annual energy consumption. The results noted in this study implied that the above interventions could improve thermal comfort in hot and arid conditions as they decreased the outdoor temperatures by 1.5°C and increased relative humidity in the area by 10% during the major summer months. The findings highlight how planned landscaping can help address environmental and energy challenges in areas with extreme climates.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Aldersoni https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Estimation of Wind Effects on High-Rise Structures by the Global Load Effects and Database-Assisted Design Methods
Structural wind effects on high-rise buildings subjected to extreme directional winds can be determined by one of three methods: (i) HFB (high frequency balance), used only for buildings with very complex shapes or with many fine-scale features, (ii) GLE (global load effects), commonly used in current commercial wind engineering laboratory practice, and (iii) the DAD (Database Assisted Design) method. The purpose of this paper is to consider the advantages and drawbacks of the GLE and DAD methods, both of which use the multi-channel pressure scanning system. Following these methods’ brief description, it is noted that the GLE method has over DAD the advantage of significantly lower computational time requirements. This is shown to be due to GLE’s basic assumption that the peak Demand-to-Capacity Indexes (DCIs) of all the building’s structural members occur at the same time. It is then shown that this assumption is incorrect, and that it results in the GLE method’s underestimation of all the structural members’ DCIs, inter-story drift ratios, and top floor accelerations. In contrast, the DAD method is shown to satisfy all applicable strength and serviceability performance criteria. However, the computational resources required for DAD’s use exceed the resources typically available to small or mid-sized structural design offices. Recent research results concerning the DAD method are then noted, and various approaches are proposed to the reduction of the DAD method’s computation time requirements by up to two orders of magnitude.
Copyright (c) 2025 Emil Simiu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Predicting Building Primary Energy Use Based on Machine Learning: Evidence from Portland
Accurately predicting equivalent primary energy use (EPEU) in buildings is crucial for advancing energy-efficient design, optimizing operational strategies, and achieving sustainability goals in the built environment. This study aims to develop reliable prediction models for EPEU by leveraging a comprehensive and high-quality dataset from buildings in Portland, USA. To achieve this, a systematic machine learning framework is adopted, encompassing feature selection, data preprocessing, model training, and performance evaluation. Several state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms are applied, including Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), and Back-Propagation Neural Networks (BP). These models are trained using key features such as building type, gross floor area, construction year, and various operational characteristics that are known to significantly influence energy consumption patterns. The dataset is carefully cleaned and normalized to ensure model generalizability and minimize bias. Model performance is assessed using standard statistical metrics, including the coefficient of determination (R²), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). Among the tested models, ensemble learning methods—particularly RF and GBDT—consistently outperform others in terms of prediction accuracy, robustness, and stability across different building types. The results of this study not only highlight the potential of machine learning in energy prediction tasks but also provide actionable insights for architects, engineers, facility managers, and policymakers. By identifying the most influential variables and employing effective predictive models, this research supports data-driven decision-making processes aimed at improving building energy performance.
Copyright (c) 2024 Yin Junjia, Aidi Hizami Alias, Nuzul Azam Haron, Nabilah Abu Bakar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Evaluation of Thermal Environments in Central Urban Areas (CUAs): Analysis of Existing Focuses and Directions for Future Investigation
Central urban areas (CUAs) are particularly vulnerable to rapid environmental changes and contemporary emerging climatic threats, given their complexity of spatial patterns and intensity of human activities. Typically, CUAs exhibit high-density and heterogeneous morphological characteristics through the combination and interaction of various building blocks constructed across multiple ages, showcasing socio-cultural inheritance and ecological-environmental diversity. The scarcity of open spaces and the dense clustering of buildings in these CUAs impede outdoor thermal comfort and ventilation, reducing residents’ opportunities to conduct outdoor activities during extreme weather conditions. Given these circumstances, it is crucial to conduct systematic evaluations of thermal environmental performance in CUAs. Despite widespread global discussion on this topic, conflicting investigation results persist due to the variations in the observation spatial scales, research techniques, analytical approaches, evaluation indices, and socio-geographical contexts. Focusing on the relationships between urban morphological characteristics and outdoor thermal environmental performance, this paper provides an overview of existing related studies across multiple spatial scales and analyses the advantages and shortcomings of prevalent research techniques. The paper aims to outline a systematic framework for investigating the thermal environments in CUAs facing complex social situations and climatic challenges. The paper suggests that integrating both top-down and bottom-up perspectives is important for evaluating thermal environments in CUAs, while a multi-scale investigation should be conducted to identify the essential issues and the underlying mechanisms across various spatial scales. By adding insights from CUAs, the paper seeks to propose suggestions for future improvements in the domain of urban environmental evaluation.
Copyright (c) 2024 Qiu Jin, Wenjian Pan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Applying Multi-Objective Evolutionary Computation for Optimal Feng Shui Layout in Interior Design
Feng Shui principles have a profound impact in Asia, studies have shown that consumers often consider Feng Shui when purchasing property to arrange interior layouts. Balancing design requirements and cultural beliefs in the design process requires significant communication and calculation efforts, However, aside from repeated communication among Feng Shui experts, homeowners, and designers, there is currently a lack of efficient methods to incorporate Feng Shui into design. Therefore, this study establishes a decision model to provide layout recommendations for purchase property, design, and for existing property renovation planning. By references Feng Shui Compass School principles to assess the Feng Shui quality of dwelling interiors and considers spatial layout and area distribution rules to evaluate the feasibility of the solution. Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) is then applied to optimize Feng Shui and design conditions in real-world case studies. The results show that the application can effectively optimize and balance Feng Shui and design conditions in a short period of time, also provides homeowners and designers with clear strategies during purchase, design, and renovation to meet the needs related to cultural beliefs.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ting Lu Chiang, Yi-Kai Juan, Chao-Chiung Lee https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparative Analysis of Space Efficiency in Contemporary Tall Buildings: Residential, Office, Hotel and Mixed-Use Functions
This paper offers an in-depth comparative analysis of space efficiency in contemporary tall towers, specifically focusing on residential, office, hotel and mixed-use functions (166 cases in total). To the best of current knowledge, no study in the existing literature has focused on this critical and topical subject. The findings underscore the pivotal importance of central core planning and prismatic building forms, which emerge as crucial design elements for optimizing space efficiency across all building types. Central core planning ensures the strategic placement of essential elements like elevators and stairwells, thereby minimizing wasted space and maximizing usable floor area. Meanwhile, prismatic building forms, characterized by their straightforward geometric shapes, facilitate more efficient construction processes and space usage. Average space efficiencies of residential, office, hotel and mixed towers were 76%, 71%, 81%, and 71%, whereas core area to GFA ratio were 19%, 26%, 16% and 26%, respectively. Values fluctuated from the lowest of 55% and 4% to the highest of 94% and 38%. By exploring these dimensions, this research offers valuable insights for the architects and developers, guiding them in the creation of tall buildings that are not only architecturally impressive but also economically viable and highly efficient. This comprehensive analysis serves as a critical resource, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers core planning, structural integrity, and material choice in the design and construction of tall edifices. This holistic perspective is essential for professionals aiming to achieve the highest standards of efficiency and practicality in their architectural endeavors.
Copyright (c) 2024 Hüseyin Emre Ilgın, Özlem Nur Aslantamer https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Biobased Construction from Agricultural Crops: Paper 1 - A State of Play of Commercial Solutions in Europe
In response to environmental concerns and the global warming issue in particular there is a growing drive to decarbonise the building sector and transition it to more circular practices. Biobased construction materials, products and systems are an important low carbon and circular strategy as they can enable low to negative carbon construction and have strong circularity advantages notably being able to enter the bio cycle, using renewable, low to zero toxic resources and provide a range of other performance benefits, including moisture and vapour regulation. This novel research presents a unique state of play on the commercial application of biobased construction from selected agricultural crops, straw, miscanthus and hemp, focused on the European context. A desk-based review of known biobased material producers and manufacturers is undertaken, supplemented with semi structured interviews and site visits, to provide a comprehensive overview of the sector and detailed account of the types of biobased materials, products and systems that are being applied in buildings across Europe and beyond. The findings show that a diversity of agricultural crops are being utilised at different process, manufacture and construction technology levels, providing a range of tested and certified materials and products for application in mainly timber frame construction, but also some masonry solutions, and a growing number of modular systems. These operate in a diversity of supply chains and are being applied in a wide range of building types, both domestic and non-domestic, including multi story and complex buildings.
Copyright (c) 2024 Patrick Daly, Paula G. Barril https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Biobased Construction from Agricultural Crops: Paper 2 - Supply Chain Dynamics of European Case Studies
Energy security, economics and environmental factors are key drivers toward greater energy efficiency, decarbonisation and circularisation of the building sector. Bio-based construction provides a potential low carbon and circular strategy toward these aims, as these materials can sequester carbon, are derived from renewable and nontoxic sources and can be re circulated in either technical or bio cycles. This innovative research undertakes a state of play into select agri-crop biobased construction materials, products and systems across Europe focusing on their supply chain types and dynamics. The research is based on a multi case study applying a range of mainly qualitative research methods, including desk-based review, semi structured interviews and supplemental field work facilitating a high-level analysis of this sector and its supply chain dynamics. This novel research presents an overview of the sector and examination of supply chain dynamics in relation to key agricultural, process, manufacture and construction stages. The findings show an emerging biobased construction sector utilising a range of agri-crops to produce various materials, products and modular systems within diverse and innovative supply chains, with common and distinct features and aspects identified including; crop types and utilisation, processing requirements and methods, transport, handling and storage, construction application, the centrality of certification and testing to access markets and growing interest in carbon profiling and benefits.
Determining Payback Period and Comparing Two Small-Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Installed at the Top of Residential Buildings
In recent years, residential buildings have seen a notable increase in energy consumption. To address this, it is crucial for researchers to invest in renewable energy technologies, aiming to develop highly sustainable and nearly-zero energy buildings. Many countries are started to commit to this goal, seeking to phase out fossil fuels due to their harmful environmental effects. Wind energy stands out as a promising renewable resource, especially in areas with strong wind patterns. This study focuses on a case in Karaburun, Izmir province, Türkiye, where annual wind speeds range from 6 to 8 m/s and evaluates the performance of two types of small-scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) in reducing energy consumption in a three-story residential building, along with associated costs. Utilizing advanced simulation tools like ANSYS Fluent and DesignBuilder Software, the study examines Ice-Wind VAWTs and Savonius VAWTs. The findings reveal that installing 15 Ice-Wind VAWTs on the building's roof can reduce energy consumption by approximately 22.5%, with each turbine costing about $2000 and a payback period of around 14.57 years. Conversely, using 15 Savonius VAWTs can reduce energy consumption by 36%, with each turbine costing about $2300 and a payback period of around 8.93 years. These results indicate that the Savonius turbine offers a faster return on investment compared to the Ice-Wind turbine under the specified conditions. Overall, this study highlights the significant benefits and cost implications of integrating renewable energy solutions like VAWTs into residential buildings.
Copyright (c) 2024 Yousif Abed Saleh Saleh, Miguel Chen Austin, Cristina Carpino, Cihan Turhan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Human Footprint on Natural Systems: Missing Post-war Scenario in the Urban Context of Damascus
All regions in Syria have witnessed a decline in green spaces due to the spread of illegal logging operations and a decline in interest in agricultural wealth due to the need for construction with the growing population during the past decade. In addition to the burning and destruction of many of them due to the war actions that took place during the period of the Syrian crisis, a war that affected the urban, architectural, and human fabric of the city alike, Damascus lacks sufficient green spaces compared to the cement blocks and its external facades considering global climate change. This unjust urban expansion, accompanied by the impact of the fires caused by the war, damaged humans and environment, extending from the heart of the city to its countryside and contributing to the erosion of its Ghouta in particular, the lung and living breath of Damascus, According to what we observe today, the dominance of the cement mass in the city plan of Damascus, with the lack of balance between it and the green space of gardens, public spaces, and public places.
Solidarity and Sustainability in Architectural Engineering Technology
Copyright (c) 2023 Eleonora Laurini, Kindah Mousli, Sedrah Alayoubi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Eco-friendly Architecture in Developing African Countries: Design and Self-construction of a Playground in Kenya
Developing countries can seize the opportunity to direct their development by freeing themselves from the mistakes of already developed countries and rooting it towards environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The research has identified a method described in phases that becomes the guarantor of an eco-friendly architecture, which starts from the resources of the territory, enhances them, and returns cyclical processes to the territory that becomes the driving force of development. An initial phase of acquisition of knowledge about the territory is followed by an analysis of its criticalities and potential. Based on these results, the definition of the harvest map (tangible and intangible resources) is conducted, which also includes related construction solutions and the analysis of compatibility with the current production system, to improve it. This method was applied to a case study in Kenya, through the construction of a playground in the external area of a school located in an area adjacent to Makongeni Village, Malindi, Kenya. The playground was built with local wood and waste tires, involving the teachers and students both in the design and construction phases. Eco-friendly architecture can become a driving force for sustainable development. The development of a production system based on local resources makes it possible to produce jobs, with an increase in the well-being of the population, specializing local companies and workers to the detriment of foreign companies and imported materials.
Copyright (c) 2023 Stefania De Gregorio https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0