Call for Papers: Architecture Journal Special Issue

Next-Generation Building Performance and Optimization

Dear Colleagues,

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), computational design, and digital twin technologies. As the demand for high-performance, low-carbon buildings grows, research focus has shifted from isolated efficiency measures to integrated frameworks linking early-stage design with long-term operation. This Special Issue invites contributions that advance the discourse on next-generation building performance and optimization, exploring how computational intelligence, sustainable strategies, and smart systems can reshape the building lifecycle. By combining theoretical inquiry with applied research, this Special Issue seeks to illuminate how emerging technologies are redefining design workflows and operational performance, effectively bridging pre-construction simulations with post-construction realities.

The aim of this Special Issue is to advance both theoretical and practical knowledge on the ways in which emerging technologies can be embedded into the design and operation of buildings. Submissions may highlight methodological innovations, case studies of energy-efficient and low-carbon strategies, and cross-disciplinary collaborations connecting architecture, engineering, computer science, and environmental studies. By positioning building performance within the wider discourse of sustainability and cyber–physical systems, this Special Issue will provide a platform for envisioning next-generation approaches in which design intelligence and operational feedback converge to foster a more resilient and sustainable built environment. We welcome submissions that investigate, but are not limited to, the following thematic areas:

• Integration of AI-driven generative designs for massing, orientation, and layout to improve daylighting, ventilation, thermal comfort, and carbon reduction;
• Predictive modeling and energy simulation in early-stage design;
• Use of AI and computer vision for occupancy analysis and behavioral insights;
• Adaptive building automation for HVAC, lighting, and environmental control;
• Machine learning applications for predictive maintenance and resource efficiency;
• Digital twins and IoT sensor networks for real-time monitoring, feedback, and optimization;
• Development of intelligent, data-driven, and responsive building systems;
• Sustainable strategies at the urban scale;
• Performance-based design approaches;
• Building Information Modeling (BIM) for integrated workflows;
• Building energy modeling for efficiency and carbon reduction.

Prof. Ming Tang
Guest Editor

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

• Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
• Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
• Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
• External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal’s social media, increasing their visibility.
• Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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