Separating Topology and Geometry in Space Planning

TL;DR

This paper introduces a CAD-based approach for space planning that generates topological solutions from design constraints, aiding architects in the preliminary sketching phase without fixed dimensions.

Contribution

It presents a novel enumeration heuristic that produces all consistent topological solutions based on design constraints, separating topology from geometry.

Findings

Generates complete sets of topological solutions from constraints.

Supports early-stage architectural sketching without fixed dimensions.

Provides a systematic method for conceptual space layout planning.

Abstract

We are dealing with the problem of space layout planning here. We present an architectural conceptual CAD approach. Starting with design specifications in terms of constraints over spaces, a specific enumeration heuristics leads to a complete set of consistent conceptual design solutions named topological solutions. These topological solutions which do not presume any precise definitive dimension correspond to the sketching step that an architect carries out from the Design specifications on a preliminary design phase in architecture.