Interactive Space Generation through Play

In this paper we report on recent developments in ARTHUR: an approach to support complex design and planning decisions for architects together with the simulation of pedestrian movement and the integration of existing CAD tools on the design table. Following a brief introduction, past and current work that has taken a similar approach will be reviewed. Next we describe a scenario that integrates agent-based simulations of pedestrian movement with space creation, and then give an overview of the system before finally discussing findings related to recent user evaluation studies of the system. This paper suggests that the integration of simulated pedestrian movement on the design table, while going through a cycle of reflection-in-action, plays a vital role in exploring possible design solutions and encourages new and different ways of thinking about design problems.