Advancing natural ventilation in sustainable architecture: mechanisms, innovations, and climate-responsive design for energy-efficient buildings

This review thoroughly evaluates natural ventilation (NV) as a sustainable building design approach for air quality improvement while energy consumption reduction. The research combines findings from multiple climatic regions to identify essential design principles together with architectural features and climate-specific modifications. The research combines architectural engineering environmental science perspectives to assess performance indicators which include air change rate, temperature reduction and energy savings. The paper evaluates recent developments in high-resolution computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling together with AI-driven real-time control and hybrid ventilation strategies while analyzing challenges that stem from environmental dependence and technical constraints and policy gaps. The research uses a systematic literature review method to achieve extensive coverage of traditional methods as well as newly emerging trends. The assessment evaluates economic and environmental variables through life cycle assessment and life cycle costing to guide better decision-making processes. The study presents a future-oriented technological innovation plan and implementation framework which serves as a unified guide for designers and engineers and policymakers who want to incorporate natural ventilation into climate-resilient occupant-centered buildings.