Green Cores as Architectural and Environmental Anchors: A Performance-Based Framework for Residential Refurbishment in Novi Sad, Serbia

Marko Mihajlovic (), Jelena Atanackovic Jelicic and Milan Rapaic
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Marko Mihajlovic: Department of Architecture, Faculty of Technical Sciences, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Jelena Atanackovic Jelicic: Department of Architecture, Faculty of Technical Sciences, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Milan Rapaic: Computing and Control Department, Faculty of Technical Sciences, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: This research investigates the integration of green cores as central biophilic elements in residential architecture, proposing a climate-responsive design methodology grounded in architectural optimization. The study begins with the full-scale refurbishment of a compact urban apartment, wherein interior partitions, fenestration and material systems were reconfigured to embed vegetated zones within the architectural core. Light exposure, ventilation potential and spatial coherence were maximized through data-driven design strategies and structural modifications. Integrated planting modules equipped with PAR-specific LED systems ensure sustained vegetation growth, while embedded environmental infrastructure supports automated irrigation and continuous microclimate monitoring. This plant-centered spatial model is evaluated using quantifiable performance metrics, establishing a replicable framework for optimized indoor ecosystems. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)-specific LED systems and embedded environmental infrastructure were incorporated to maintain vegetation viability and enable microclimate regulation. A programmable irrigation system linked to environmental sensors allows automated resource management, ensuring efficient plant sustenance. The configuration is assessed using measurable indicators such as daylight factor, solar exposure, passive thermal behavior and similar elements. Additionally, a post-occupancy expert assessment was conducted with several architects evaluating different aspects confirming the architectural and spatial improvements achieved through the refurbishment. This study not only demonstrates a viable architectural prototype but also opens future avenues for the development of metabolically active buildings, integration with decentralized energy and water systems, and the computational optimization of living infrastructure across varying climatic zones.

Keywords: interior refurbishment; daylight optimization; environment performance metrics; passive systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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