Issue
Issue 1
Volume 1
Issue 1
Published 7 July 2026
Articles
Issue contents
9 articles
Subterranean Air Design for Underground Parking in Sustainable Cities
Samira Akbarova
Pages 3-9
This study investigates the interdisciplinary relationship between subterranean environmental engineering and surface-level urban architecture, focusing on large-scale underground parking complexes in Baku, Azerbaijan. Utilizing the original "Spatial form—Integration—Climate resilience—Emergency resilience" analytical matrix proposed herein, a comparative analysis is conducted between the linear-extended facility beneath Winter Park and the compact, two-level coastal structure under Azadliq Square. The research evaluates how spatial morphology, structural geometry, and marine-coastal macroclimates dictate mechanical engineering solutions. Specifically, it assesses the fluid dynamics of longitudinal jet fan arrays versus hybrid ducted frameworks, the aesthetic and ecological integration of above-ground ventilation nodes as small architectural forms, and the deployment of ISO 12944 C5-M (Marine) corrosion protection to counter aggressive Caspian Sea salinity. The empirical findings demonstrate that integrating scenario-based Building Management Systems yields a 40–55% contraction in operational energy loads. Furthermore, the study exposes a critical structural asymmetry in toxic gas evacuation dynamics—specifically hydrogen fluoride (HF) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions—during electric vehicle lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, revealing systemic gaps in current NFPA 502 and ASHRAE standards. Ultimately, this work establishes a validated methodological baseline for "Subterranean Air Design," proving that surface landscape typologies and climatic variables are primary determinants for the safety, operational resilience, and environmental sustainability of underground urban infrastructure.
Climate-Responsive Residential Design Across Azerbaijan’s Climate Regions: Linking Passive Traditions, Envelope Strategies and Energy Efficiency
Tarana Bakirova, Firuza Badalova
Pages 10-21
Residential construction in Azerbaijan is expanding alongside rising demand for heating and cooling, making energy-efficient housing design increasingly important. The country’s semi-arid coastal areas, hot lowlands, humid subtropical zones and mountainous settlements create different thermal conditions; therefore, one uniform housing model is insufficient. This article proposes a climate-responsive framework for energy-efficient residential buildings across Azerbaijan’s climate regions. The study synthesizes climate data, building-physics principles, passive design literature, envelope-performance studies and observations of traditional climate-adapted dwellings. It examines orientation, compactness, window-to-wall ratio, envelope continuity, thermal-bridge control, thermal mass, natural ventilation and efficient active systems. The findings show that passive strategies are most effective when combined with continuous envelope performance and region-specific planning. Traditional elements such as courtyards, shaded spaces, thick walls and controlled openings can inform contemporary design without direct imitation. The framework supports housing that improves thermal comfort, reduces operational energy demand and strengthens climate resilience under future climate pressures.
Bioclimatic Code of Absheron Vernacular Architecture: Towards Mahalla 2.0
Farida Gasimova
Pages 22-30
Abstract. Contemporary urban planning in Baku exhibits a critical misalignment between high-rise morphology and the severe microclimate of the Absheron Peninsula, exacerbating Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects and pedestrian-level wind turbulence. This study decodes the passive climate-control mechanisms embedded within the traditional mahalla of Baku's historic fortress, Icheri Sheher. Utilizing an integrated framework, the research combines in situ aerodynamic observations during peak Khazri winds, time-based photographic surveys of street-canyon shading, and macro-photographic evaluations of native Absheron limestone (aglay). The empirical findings demonstrate that the vernacular fabric operates as a calibrated environmental control system. Streamlined chamfered and rounded corners mitigate turbulence by minimizing stagnation pressure and flow separation. Deep street canyons, restricted Sky View Factors, and cantilevered shushebands optimize self-shading, lowering summer mean radiant temperatures. Additionally, the high capillary porosity of the 0.6–1.0 m thick limestone walls enables thermal mass dynamics and localized evaporative cooling, establishing effective thermal retardation. Extracting these parameters, this study introduces "Mahalla2.0"—a computational, data-driven design framework that structurally inverts the vernacular archetype. By replacing historical cantilevers with a progressively terraced building profile, the model preserves shaded pedestrian paths, neutralizes wind downdrafts, and safeguards indoor daylighting and ventilation for upper floors. Ultimately, this research repositions vernacular heritage as a transferable, algorithmic methodology for climate-resilient, high-density urban development in hot-arid regions.
Managing Creative Talent Flow in Graphic Design Education
Parviz Aliyev
Pages 31-43
This article examines the management of creative talent flow in higher education through the case of graphic design education. The relevance of the topic is determined by the transformation of the creative economy, the expansion of visual communication markets, the growth of branding, media design, digital platforms and artificial intelligence tools, and the increasing demand for graduates who can convert creative potential into professional visual communication outcomes. The article treats creative talent not as a static personal quality visible only at admission, but as a managed educational trajectory formed through the interaction of curriculum, studio culture, teacher feedback, visual literacy, digital tools, project practice, public visibility and industry links. The study uses a qualitative case study of the Department of Graphic Design and Media at Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction. The empirical material includes curriculum analysis, first-year studio exercises, diploma projects, portfolio materials, a pilot survey of 20 teachers and 124 students, and interpretation of university-industry links. The findings show that talent flow cannot be managed through a single tool. Basic exercises diagnose visual thinking; studio projects develop conceptual and systemic design capacity; portfolio practice documents growth; exhibitions, competitions and industry contacts provide visibility and transition to the labour market. The article proposes an integrated model of creative talent flow management: selection, diagnosis, development, studio practice, public visibility, portfolio, industry linkage and professional integration. The model can support curriculum renewal, assessment design and professional transition strategies in university graphic design education.
Climate-Adaptive Brick Bonding Patterns for Parametric Façades and Energy-Efficient Buildings: The Azerbaijani Context
Zamina Rasulova
Pages 44-56
This article investigates the application potential of historical brick bonding patterns from Azerbaijan's architectural heritage in the design of contemporary parametric façade systems. The study aims to establish a scientific and methodological framework for integrating the geometric, structural, and climate-responsive characteristics of brick decorative systems developed in medieval Azerbaijani architectural schools into energy-efficient architectural design. Brick façade examples from the Aran, Nakhchivan–Maragha, Shirvan, Qazvin–Hamadan, and Tabriz architectural schools were analyzed using historical-typological and comparative research methods. The modular organization of ornaments, relief depth, light–shadow dynamics, air permeability, and surface morphology were further interpreted within the principles of parametric design. The findings indicate that the generative principles embedded in historical brick bonding systems can be translated into digital design workflows to support climate-responsive façade optimization, solar radiation control, daylight enhancement, and improved energy performance. The study proposes that historical architectural heritage should be regarded not only as an aesthetic reference but also as a functional source of performance-oriented design knowledge. The proposed methodological framework provides a basis for developing energy-efficient parametric façade systems adapted to the diverse climatic zones of Azerbaijan while preserving regional architectural identity.
Current Research into Sustainable Architectural Design: A Structured Critical Literature Review
Ayten Rahmanova
Pages 57-71
The aim of this study is to systematize contemporary scientific approaches to sustainable architecture, identify its principal directions of development, and reveal current research trends and gaps in environmentally oriented architectural design. The study employs a structured critical literature review supported by comparative and qualitative thematic analysis. The review includes seminal monographs and recent peer-reviewed publications indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The selected literature was classified into the major domains of sustainable architecture, including bioclimatic design, energy- efficient buildings, sustainable urban development, adaptive reuse, vernacular architecture, digital design technologies, and artificial intelligence. The findings demonstrate that sustainable architecture has evolved from a set of isolated environmental strategies into an interdisciplinary framework integrating ecological, technological, economic, and social dimensions. The most rapidly developing research areas include circular economy principles, nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB), Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence and machine learning, adaptive reuse of existing buildings, and the integration of vernacular architectural principles into contemporary design. The review also identifies several research gaps, particularly the limited integration of life cycle assessment, BIM, artificial intelligence, and human-centered design within a unified methodological framework. The scientific novelty of this study lies in the comprehensive systematization of contemporary approaches to sustainable architecture and the development of an integrated conceptual framework that synthesizes ecological design principles, digital technologies, and current sustainability trends. The findings provide a valuable foundation for architectural practice, educational programs, and the further development of regulatory frameworks and sustainable urban development strategies.
Urban Resilience, Heritage Preservation, and Sustainable Reconstruction in Antakya After the 2023 Earthquake
Nuray Ahmadova, Fatma Cana Bilsel
Pages 72-85
Post-disaster reconstruction in historic cities requires more than replacing damaged buildings; it must reconcile structural safety, environmental performance, social recovery, and continuity of place identity. This article examines Antakya after the 6 February 2023 earthquakes as a case through which contemporary problems in architecture and urban design can be evaluated. Using a qualitative, concept-driven review of the city’s historical development, disaster-related vulnerabilities, and reconstruction priorities, the discussion links urban resilience, heritage conservation, sustainable architecture, public space, green infrastructure, community participation, adaptive reuse, and digital planning. The analysis identifies that the scale of destruction resulted not only from seismic exposure but also from accumulated weaknesses in construction quality, regulatory enforcement, land-use planning, infrastructure, and social equity. It argues that reconstruction should avoid both the total erasure of the damaged urban fabric and the literal replication of pre-disaster conditions. Instead, the urban palimpsest is proposed as an integrative framework for retaining significant historical layers while introducing earthquake-resistant construction, climate-responsive systems, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive planning processes. The article concludes that Antakya’s recovery can provide a transferable model for historically layered, hazard-prone cities when safety, sustainability, cultural memory, and community needs are addressed as interdependent design priorities.
The Transformation of Historic Environment Design in The Context of Overtourism: A Comparative Analysis of Global Experience and the Specifics of Icherisheher (Baku)
Farid Karimov
Pages 86-98
The article focuses on the transformation of the design of the historic urban environment under conditions of excessive tourist pressure (overtourism). Based on a comparative analysis of European experience (Venice, Dubrovnik, and Barcelona) and the specific spatial structure of Icherisheher (Baku, Azerbaijan), the study examines urban design, inclusive design, and smart technologies as tools for regulating pedestrian flows. The author analyzes the conflict between preserving the authenticity of UNESCO heritage sites and the need to create an adaptive, accessible, and comfortable environment for tourists and local residents. Particular attention is paid to the problem of vehicular traffic within the protected area and to identifying solutions that ensure priority for pedestrians and residents. The study proposes a conceptual model of the “soft” regulation of the capacity of historic space through environmental design elements, making it possible to minimize anthropogenic degradation and prevent the gentrification of a living historic center.
Visual Communication in Graphic Design: Principles of Effective Information Transmission
Aysel Abasova
Pages 99-107
Visual communication is effective when a designed message can be identified, interpreted, and acted upon with an appropriate level of cognitive effort. This article develops an integrated framework for explaining that process in graphic design. It combines semiotics, Gestalt perceptual organization, cognitive load theory, information theory, visual hierarchy, and recent research on human-AI co-creation. The study uses an integrative conceptual review of 29 foundational, empirical, and contemporary sources. Concepts were coded by their function in the communication process and then mapped across five analytical layers: communication context, semiotic encoding, visual organization, perceptual grouping, and cognitive regulation. The synthesis produces two results. First, it proposes a mechanism-based model that links design decisions to communication outcomes such as accuracy, response speed, recall, and trust. Second, it defines a task-based evaluation workflow that combines performance measures, eye-tracking evidence, perceived mental effort, accessibility checks, and human oversight of AI-supported production. The analysis shows that no isolated principle, including contrast, balance, proximity, or simplicity, guarantees effectiveness. Their value depends on audience, task, cultural meaning, and the interaction between salience and cognitive demand. The framework contributes coherent vocabulary for design analysis and offers a practical basis for teaching, evaluating, and iterating visual communication without reducing design quality to aesthetic preference alone.