Using fuzzy inference system for architectural space analysis

Though architectural space is the main source and the only indispensable component of any architectural construction, in many cases its boundaries are uncertain, leading intuitive spatial design. Creating a mathematical model of architectural space with concrete results will offer many possibilities for design process in analysing spatial organization, independently from in architect's experience and intuitions. This paper presents a fuzzy inference system based spatial analysis model for spatial analysis for architectural design which brings many advantages to design process. The aim of this article is to investigate the potential of a fuzzy system with a Mamdami inference engine, considering different numbers of membership functions. Two venues have been selected and the fuzzy inference system based spatial analysis model is applied. For better judgement, outcomes of the model have been compared to depthmap analysis model. The results of the model indicate that fuzzy inference system based spatial analysis model performs very well, even with the limited and imprecise data. Such prototype can evolve into a tool for identifying spatial formations for improvements during the architectural design process. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.