An interactive approach for generating spatial architecture layout based on graph theory

Abstract

This study proposes a graph theory based method for generating three-dimensional architectural layouts on the target of creating space that provides rich perceptual experience. The proposed approach incorporates the decisions of architects in the generation process to improve efficiency and avoid invalid results. Space is interpreted as a combination of volumes adjacent to, intersecting with or containing each other and is represented by a graph with nodes and edges. The study first generates an orthogonal orientation digraph (OODG), which denotes the relative positions of spaces and provides options for users to decide whether to continue generating the layout. Based on a given OODG, a combination of connected volumes is generated. The generation results show that the proposed method can generate space providing a rich experience when relations between volumes are properly set.