Visuo-Locomotive Complexity as a Component of Parametric Systems for Architecture Design

TL;DR

This paper introduces a behaviour-based visuo-locomotive complexity model that aids in designing built environments by anticipating user navigation experiences and enabling parametric manipulation of architectural features.

Contribution

It develops a novel complexity model for human-environment interaction and demonstrates its application as a parametric tool in architectural design for improved navigation.

Findings

Model effectively predicts cognitive performance during navigation.

Application in healthcare buildings shows improved wayfinding design.

Interactive tool supports behaviour-based architectural decision-making.

Abstract

A people-centred approach for designing large-scale built-up spaces necessitates systematic anticipation of user's embodied visuo-locomotive experience from the viewpoint of human-environment interaction factors pertaining to aspects such as navigation, wayfinding, usability. In this context, we develop a behaviour-based visuo-locomotive complexity model that functions as a key correlate of cognitive performance vis-a-vis internal navigation in built-up spaces. We also demonstrate the model's implementation and application as a parametric tool for the identification and manipulation of the architectural morphology along a navigation path as per the parameters of the proposed visuospatial complexity model. We present examples based on an empirical study in two healthcare buildings, and showcase the manner in which a dynamic and interactive parametric (complexity) model can promote behaviour-based decision-making throughout the design process to maintain desired levels of visuospatial complexity as part of a navigation or wayfinding experience.