Mindful architecture is poised to foster sustainable behavior and simultaneously mitigate the physical and mental health challenges arising from the impacts of global warming. Previous studies demonstrate that a substantial educational gap persists between architecture and mindfulness. However, recent advancements in text-to-image AI have begun to play a significant role in generating conceptual architectural imagery, enabling architects to articulate their ideas better. This study employs DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion—popular tools in the field—to generate imagery of mindful architecture. Subsequently, the architects decoded the architectural characteristics in the images into words. These words were then analyzed using natural language processing techniques, including Word Cloud Generation, Word Frequency Analysis, and Topic Modeling Analysis. Research findings conclude that mindful architecture from text-to-image AI perspectives consistently features structured lines with sharp edges, prioritizes openness with indoor–outdoor spaces, employs both horizontal and vertical movement, utilizes natural lighting and earth-tone colors, incorporates wood, stone, and glass elements, and emphasizes views of serene green spaces—creating environments characterized by gentle natural sounds and calm atmospheric qualities. DALL-E is the text-to-image AI that provides the most detailed representation of mindful architecture.

Biophilic design is an architectural concept that bridges the gap between modern buildings and the innate human longing for nature. In addition, it promotes physical and mental well-being while aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals. Recent research highlights that the architectural language used to describe the attributes of biophilic architecture remains unclear. Previous research has shown that text-to-image AI enhances architects’ ability to articulate their ideas more effectively. Therefore, this study aims to address the following research question: What are the architectural languages of biophilic design after architects use text-to-image AI? The initial step involves generating images of biophilic architecture by using three popular text-to-image AI tools: DALL-E 3, MidJourney, and Stable Diffusion. The 30 selected images were used to help architects develop the architectural language to describe the characteristics of biophilic design across 10 categories: Form, Space, Movement, Light, Color, Material, Object, View, Sound, and Weather. The terms obtained were analyzed using natural language processing (NLP) techniques, including word cloud analysis, frequency analysis, and topic modeling. The results indicate that the architectural language of biophilic design exhibits greater detail and clarity after architects utilize text-to-image AI. Nevertheless, in some instances, the language used to describe biophilic design is also constrained by the images generated by the text-to-image AI that the architects observe.

This study explores how architectural atmosphere can foster mindfulness constructs in response to the growing mental health crisis. Mindfulness, known for improving mental health, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being, is increasingly recognized as a potential solution to mental health challenges. However, research on how architectural atmosphere supports mindfulness is limited. This study systematically reviews architectural atmosphere features that promote mindfulness constructs, which includes awareness, openness, attention, focus, connection, and calmness. A literature review was conducted using the Scopus database, following PRISMA guidelines for transparency. Fifty-three articles were selected, focusing on mindfulness features in architectural atmosphere: awareness (4), openness (1), attention (28), focus (5), and connection (15). No studies were found on architectural atmosphere fostering calmness. The findings suggest that architectural atmosphere plays a significant role in supporting mindfulness, but further empirical studies are needed to validate these results in real-world contexts.

Amid continuous urban population growth and urbanization’s environmental and social challenges, livable cities have become a key priority for governments. Among the various factors influencing urban livability, architectural design integrating natural elements plays a critical role. Melbourne consistently ranks as one of the world’s most livable cities, with its Central Business District (CBD) serving as its core. Since a previous study has highlighted a research gap concerning the role of architecture in livable cities and indicated that the characteristics of biophilic architecture remain unclear, this study addresses the following question: What are the attributes of biophilic architecture in the CBD of the livable city of Melbourne? Subsequently, buildings exhibiting characteristics of Biophilic architecture were surveyed, and photographs capturing the most representative aspects of each building were documented. These characteristics were then coded and analyzed using statistics. The study found that Biophilic architecture is extremely rare in Melbourne’s CBD, with only four of 6375 properties (0.06%) identified as such. The most prominent attributes include connection to nature, natural color tones, and light modulation shaped by the city’s grid layout and strong sunlight. However, the dominance of concrete structures and heritage regulations constrains formal diversity. While Melbourne may not provide abundant examples, its context offers valuable insight into how urban form and policy shape biophilic expression. Future studies should extend this comparative approach to other cities to better understand context-specific adaptations of biophilic design.

Biophilic design has gained increasing importance in contemporary architecture due to its potential to enhance human well-being, environmental quality, and the integration of nature within built environments. While a growing body of literature exists, there remains a limited understanding of how biophilic architecture is visually expressed in diverse regional contexts. As the exterior of a building constitutes its most immediate expression, examining these characteristics is essential. This research gap raises the question of how exterior biophilic design characteristics are articulated in architectural practice within different geographic settings. To address this gap, this study examines the exterior architectural characteristics of biophilic design through selected case studies from Asia, Europe, and Australia, focusing on how these characteristics are manifested in each regional context. The research adopts a three-step methodological approach. First, on-site photographic documentation was conducted. Second, the collected photographs were systematically coded. Third, descriptive analysis was employed to examine the distribution of biophilic design characteristics in diverse regional contexts. Across all regions, biophilic attributes are most prominently manifested with natural colors, natural materials, and biomorphic or natural forms. In contrast, spatial attributes appear less consistently documented in photographs. This study is limited by its reliance on photographic analysis and a relatively small sample size. Future research should integrate multimethod approaches and expanded case studies to capture experiential and environmental dimensions of biophilic design beyond visual attributes.

Architectural atmosphere for spirituality holds potential to support the physical and mental health of post-COVID urban populations, and people now spend more of their lives within buildings even as opportunities for spiritual engagement recede. Yet evidence-based knowledge for designing such environments remains limited. This study aimed to identify the architectural atmospheres for spiritual constructs through a systematic literature review and practice-based interviews conducted following the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from Scopus-indexed publications and architects’ relevant expertise were analyzed using thematic content analysis, while word frequency and bivariate association analyses were employed to identify key architectural characteristics and their associations with spiritual constructs. The findings indicate that a holistic atmospheric approach should integrate spatial, perceptual, and natural features. Tangible atmospheric features such as space, natural materials, and object elements emerged as most prominent, alongside intangible features including illumination, acoustics, and temperature conditions. At the use-effect level, spatial experience and perception were most frequently reported. Positive spiritual constructs were linked to symbolic objects, sensory experiences, and lighting conditions, whereas negative spiritual constructs were primarily associated with temperature conditions. Future studies should extend inquiry across diverse linguistic, cultural, and temporal contexts while empirically validating the proposed framework in real-world environments.