Reframing Industrial Architecture for Industry 5.0: Architectural Design Requirements from a Generation Z Perspective

Bazghandi, Farjad; Salehi Nia, Majid; Jahanbakhsh, Abbas; Samavatyan, Hossein

doi:10.22034/ijumes.2026.2098170.1397

Reframing Industrial Architecture for Industry 5.0: Architectural Design Requirements from a Generation Z Perspective

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Farjad Bazghandi ¹

Majid Salehi Nia ²

Abbas Jahanbakhsh ³

Hossein Samavatyan ⁴

¹ Ph.D. Student, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

⁴ Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

10.22034/ijumes.2026.2098170.1397

Abstract

The transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 requires industrial architecture to move beyond technological infrastructure toward human-centered, sustainable, resilient, and adaptable production environments. However, limited empirical research has translated Industry 5.0 principles and Generation Z-related values into measurable architectural requirements. This study identifies and validates architectural requirements for Industry 5.0 production facilities. A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design was employed. Architectural requirements were identified through literature review and qualitative analysis of open-ended responses and interviews, then evaluated through a cross-sectional survey of 307 employees in an automotive production environment. Exploratory factor analysis reduced the initial 70-item structure to 62 items and identified nine dimensions: Performance Outcomes, Attachment & Retention, Functional Fit, Flexibility & Adaptability, Collaboration & Social, Technology Integration, Autonomy & Control, Physical & Environmental, and Human-Centered & Wellbeing. The re-specified measurement model demonstrated acceptable reliability and fit (KMO = 0.886; Cronbach’s α = 0.92–0.94; RMSEA = 0.048; CFI/IFI = 0.93). The findings indicate that industrial architecture should address not only functional efficiency but also spatial participation and justice, environmental quality and safety, flexibility, collaboration, technology integration, autonomy, and human well-being. These priorities can be translated into modular and scalable production spaces, adaptable layouts, accessible welfare facilities, collaborative and learning spaces, clear wayfinding, and responsive environmental-control systems. The study demonstrates how architecture can operationalize Industry 5.0 principles by integrating production performance with workers’ physical, social, psychological, and technological needs. Future research should validate the proposed structure using larger independent samples, direct generational comparisons, and diverse industrial and geographical contexts.

Graphical Abstract

Reframing Industrial Architecture for Industry 5.0: Architectural Design Requirements from a Generation Z Perspective

Highlights

• A sequential exploratory mixed-methods framework links Industry 5.0 values to validated architectural design requirements.

• Qualitative coding and a survey of 307 production employees identify and prioritise nine architectural dimensions.

• The measurement model is confirmed (KMO = 0.886; Cronbach’s α 0.92–0.94; re-specified CFA with RMSEA = 0.048, CFI/IFI = 0.93).

• Generation Z prioritises human, social, environmental and adaptive qualities alongside conventional functional requirements.

• Industry 5.0 factories should be modular, flexible, human-centered and environmentally responsive human–technology ecosystems.

Keywords

Adaptive workplaces

Generational values

Human-centered design

Productivity in industrial workplaces

Spatial justice

Workplace attachment

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