Layout
Eng. Opt., 2002, Vol. 34(5), pp. 461–484
ARCHITECTURAL LAYOUT DESIGN OPTIMIZATION
JEREMY J. MICHALEKa,*, RUCHI CHOUDHARYb and PANOS Y. PAPALAMBROSa a Optimal Design Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2125, USA; bCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2125, USA
(Received 28 August 2001; In final form 26 February 2002)
This article presents an optimization model of the quantifiable aspects of architectural floorplan layout design, and a companion article presents a method for integrating mathematical optimization and subjective decision making during conceptual design. The model presented here offers a new approach to floorplan layout optimization that takes advantage of the efficiency of gradient-based algorithms, where appropriate, and uses evolutionary algorithms to make discrete decisions and do global search. Automated optimization results are comparable to other methods in this research area, and the new formulation makes it possible to integrate the power of human decision-making into the process.
Keywords: Optimization; Architectural design; Floorplan; Layout
1
INTRODUCTION
Spatial configuration is concerned with finding feasible locations and dimensions for a set of interrelated objects that meet all design requirements and maximize design quality in terms of design preferences. Spatial configuration is relevant to all physical design problems, so it is an important area of inquiry. Research on automation of spatial configuration includes component packing [11–13], route path planning [18], process and facilities layout, VLSI design ½16; 17, and architectural layout [3–10]. Architectural layout is particularly interesting because in addition to common engineering objectives such as cost and performance, architectural design is especially concerned with aesthetic and usability qualities of a layout, which are
ARCHITECTURAL LAYOUT DESIGN OPTIMIZATION
JEREMY J. MICHALEKa,*, RUCHI CHOUDHARYb and PANOS Y. PAPALAMBROSa a Optimal Design Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2125, USA; bCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2125, USA
(Received 28 August 2001; In final form 26 February 2002)
This article presents an optimization model of the quantifiable aspects of architectural floorplan layout design, and a companion article presents a method for integrating mathematical optimization and subjective decision making during conceptual design. The model presented here offers a new approach to floorplan layout optimization that takes advantage of the efficiency of gradient-based algorithms, where appropriate, and uses evolutionary algorithms to make discrete decisions and do global search. Automated optimization results are comparable to other methods in this research area, and the new formulation makes it possible to integrate the power of human decision-making into the process.
Keywords: Optimization; Architectural design; Floorplan; Layout
1
INTRODUCTION
Spatial configuration is concerned with finding feasible locations and dimensions for a set of interrelated objects that meet all design requirements and maximize design quality in terms of design preferences. Spatial configuration is relevant to all physical design problems, so it is an important area of inquiry. Research on automation of spatial configuration includes component packing [11–13], route path planning [18], process and facilities layout, VLSI design ½16; 17, and architectural layout [3–10]. Architectural layout is particularly interesting because in addition to common engineering objectives such as cost and performance, architectural design is especially concerned with aesthetic and usability qualities of a layout, which are