Dynamic layout design given a scenario tree of probable futures

Abstract

This paper introduces a dynamic layout design model which explicitly takes into consideration the probabilistic nature of the future requirement sets. It allows the designer to input a scenario tree of probable futures. For each future, the designer specifies shape requirements for the various cells and the building, the intercell interactions, as well as linearized costs for displacing cells from their location in the previous future to their location in this future. The designer is further required to propose a design skeleton for each future. When solved, the model generates a layout for each future. The resulting layout tree minimizes an objective combining the intercell interaction cost in each future and the interfuture relayout cost. This linear programming model can be solved to optimality in a few minutes for medium-sized cases using commercial software on a workstation. When implemented in an interactive layout design environment, it permits the designer to investigate multiple design skeletons and scenario trees during a design work session, thus allowing him to generate a number of robust layout trees.