Bridging the Gap between Neuroarchitecture, Artificial Intelligence, and Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Mental Health in the Built Environment

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a systematic review exploring the intersection of neuroarchitecture, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainability, with a specific focus on their collective impact on mental health within the built environment. As urban populations grow, the need for architectural designs that integrate both environmental sustainability and psychological well-being has become increasingly important. Neuroarchitecture draws from neuroscience to design spaces that influence cognitive function, emotional states, phycology and behaviour , while AI provides advanced tools to optimize these spaces for both mental health outcomes and resource efficiency. This review synthesizes recent advancements in neuroarchitectural design, highlighting the role of AI in dynamically adjusting architectural elements based on real-time cognitive mapping data (e.g., EEG, fMRI, and wearable sensors). Additionally, the integration of AI with sustainable design principles allows for adaptive environments that not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance occupant well-being by minimizing stress and promoting cognitive clarity. The scientific contribution of this review lies in identifying critical research gaps, particularly the limited empirical studies connecting these three fields into a unified framework, and proposing future directions for the use of AI-driven neuroarchitecture-sustainable adaptive designs, that support mental health and sustainability. Ethical considerations related to data privacy and consent are also discussed, providing a comprehensive understanding of the potential and challenges in designing AI-driven neuroarchitecture-sustainable adaptive designs.

Keywords

• neuroarchitecture
• artificial intelligence
• sustainable built environment
• mental health