AI in space planning

Despite several decades of research and development into methods of applying artificial intelligence (AI) to the process of space planning, none of these techniques have entered common use by designers in their day-to-day practice. This is because space planning, while sometimes routine and repetitive, is still a creative process that requires a designer’s experience, knowledge, and intuition to do well. Thus, it has been a challenge for the computer software industry to develop automated tools that can fulfill the specific requirements of all designers. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in applying AI to space planning and other design problems. This interest has been driven by the emergence of new sophisticated algorithms like machine learning as well as easier to use computational design tools that make it possible for designers to directly work with these systems. This chapter presents an overview of the fundamental computational concepts, strategies, and approaches that have been developed to solve space planning problems since the invention of computers more than seven decades ago. Using these techniques, designers will be able to craft custom computational design workflows that meet the particular needs and interests of their design practice.