Book Description

The introduction of numerical methodologies to Architecture is very recent, however, the last ten years has seen the application of operations research to many of the problems of Architecture previously considered to be non-numeric. This paper reviews the panoply of these applications under the headings of simulation, optimization and design systems. Well established areas of application of simulation include building services (air-conditioning, lighting, acoustics, sunshading and shadows, thermal environment), vertical transportation in buildings, planning regulations, and to a lesser extent queuing and games. Simulation is now being used as a tool to gain insight into problem- solving in the architectural context. Mathematical programming and various heuristic optimization techniques have been used. Typical applications include layout planning, site development, house design, locating human activities, a/c duct design, materials selection and various environmental control systems. Design systems using a combination of simulation and optimization techniques are described. Clustering methods for the elucidation of system structure are mentioned. The paper concludes with comments on the problems of applying operations research techniques. An extensive list of references is included.