An interactive model for the layout of buildings

Abstract

The TOPAZ model and its derivatives, TOPLAY and TOPMET which have been developed for sketch planning design of buildings, are presented and their use is illustrated by application to a 40 000 m 2 insurance building. TOPMET introduces a completely new approach to solve the inherently difficult quadratic assignment layout problem. The new approach is relatively simple and readily adaptable to microcomputer usage in an interactive form using colour graphics. It also exhibits artificial intelligence behaviour and offers further development possibilities. The paper concludes that while the sketch planning phase of multi-storey building design has received relatively little attention from computer modellers to date, the use of models such as those described in conjunction with inexpensive colour graphic microcomputers is now set for extensive development and application.