Space Layout Planning using an Evolutionary Approach1

This paper describes a design method based on constructing a genetic/evolutionarydesign model whose idea is borrowed from natural genetics. Two major issues from the modelling involve how to represent design knowledge for the evolutionary design model and the usefulness of the model for design problems. For the representation of design knowledge in the model, a schema concept is introduced. The utility of the model is based on its computational efficiency and its capability of producing satisfactory solutions for the given set of problem requirements. The design problem used to demonstrate the approach is a large office layout planning problem with its associated topological and geometrical arrangements of space elements. An example drawn from the literature is used.