Development of a Dynamic Architectural Happiness Index for Environmental Simulation

Research outline

The aim of architectural design is to enhance users’ well-being (WB). Although some WB-related building rating systems, such as the WELL Building Standard, have been developed, these existing systems remain static. If WB can be predicted through dynamic environmental simulation, WB-oriented architectural design can be more effectively supported. This module aims to develop a Dynamic Architectural Happiness Index (DAHI) that can be calculated through dynamic environmental simulations. Leveraging the interdisciplinary expertise of Kyushu University, we will pursue (A) the formulation of the Index (DAHI) for architectural happiness, (B) the extension of a simulation tool to compute the index, and (C) experimental studies to investigate happiness in relation to the environment. Our goal is to understand and predict holistic architectural happiness that goes beyond comfort linked to single environmental elements.

Research backgoround

The aim of architectural design is to enhance users’ well-being (WB). Existing WB-related building rating systems are static, checklist-based tools, and no indicators are available that can be calculated through dynamic environmental simulations. If WB could be quantitatively predicted using such simulations, it would enable architectural design support that incorporates the perspective of WB. This module aims to develop a Dynamic Architectural Happiness Index (DAHI), which can be calculated within dynamic environmental simulations.

Research originality

The research requires not only comprehensive expertise in the field of architecture, but also knowledge related to well-being assessment for modeling the index, as well as insights from neuroscience for conducting experiments to investigate how environmental factors influence happiness. By leveraging the advanced research technologies and experimental facilities of Kyushu University, this module aims to elucidate and predict holistic architectural happiness—beyond the evaluation of comfort linked to single environmental elements.

Module members

Module Leader

ARIMA Yusuke

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Human-Environment Studies

Overall coordination and general research (Expertise: Thermal environment analysis, well-being assessment)

モジュール長

SUMIYOSHI Daisuke

Professor

Faculty of Human-Environment Studies

Examination of index factors (Expertise: Building services planning)

モジュール長

SUEHIRO Kaoru

Professor

Faculty of Human-Environment Studies

Examination of index factors (Expertise: Wooden architectural design)

モジュール長

Suemitsu Hirokazu

Associate Professor

Faculty of Human-Environment Studies

Examination of index factors (Expertise: Architectural environmental design)

モジュール長

KOGA Yasuko

Associate Professor

Faculty of Human-Environment Studies

Examination of index factors (Expertise: Daylighting and lighting environment analysis)

モジュール長

CHOI YOUN HEE

Associate Professor

Faculty of Human-Environment Studies

Extension of environmental simulation tools (Expertise: Thermal environment analysis)

モジュール長

YOO Sung-Jun

Associate Professor

Platform of Inter-/Transdisciplinary Energy Research (Q-PIT)

Extension of environmental simulation tools (Expertise: Airflow analysis)

モジュール長

MANAGI Shunsuke

Professor

Faculty of Engineering

Examination of index factors (Expertise: Well-being assessment)

モジュール長

URAKAWA Kunio

Professor

Faculty of Economics

Examination of index factors (Expertise: Well-being assessment)

モジュール長

OKAMOTO Tsuyoshi

Associate Professor

Faculty of Arts and Science

Experiment and analysis of physiological data (e.g., EEG) (Expertise: Neuroscience and physiological psychology)

Expected results and outcomes of the collaboration

The main objectives of this study are: (A) examining the factors and modeling of Dynamic Architectural Happiness (DAHI), (B) extending dynamic environmental simulation tools, and (C) conducting experimental studies on environmental happiness. By the end of the module period, the goal is to develop the first version of the DAHI and implement numerical simulations, aiming to make it practically applicable in design support and educational settings.

Representative research papers and achievements