Climate responsive interior design for sustainable development a bibliometric and scoping review

Abstract Within the framework of urban sustainability at the architectural scale, climate-responsive and sustainable interior design has become increasingly pivotal. While existing research addresses indoor environmental quality (IEQ) through parameters such as thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort, these studies often remain fragmented and focused on isolated performance metrics. Furthermore, there is a significantly limited amount of research that integrates human-centric perspectives with data-driven methodologies within the domain of climate-responsive interior design. To address this literature gap, the present study utilizes a dual-methodological framework, synthesizing bibliometric analysis with a comprehensive scoping review to evaluate the current state of the discipline. Bibliographic data were systematically retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases and analyzed using VOSviewer software. While the bibliometric analysis ( n = 101) identified prominent keywords, influential sources, and thematic clusters, the scoping review yielded qualitative insights into prevailing conceptual frameworks and methodological approaches. Three key summary themes emerged from this analysis: (1) data-driven and AI-supported environmental design; (2) beyond energy efficiency, the visual, biophilic, and social dimensions of sustainable design; and (3) adaptive, conservation, and reuse-responsive design. The entire review process was examined using a scoping review analysis ( n = 21) in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with a focus on interior design, climate-responsive design, and IEQ at the scale of interior spaces. Ultimately, by introducing the IMMID (Integrative Mediator Model of Interior Design) framework, this study analytically positions the interior scale not as a passive backdrop but as an active mediating layer between environmental performance and experiential outcomes. This integrative mechanism directly advances macro-level sustainability objectives, especially UN Sustainable Development Goal 11.