Modeling Spatial Compositions with Network-Based Spaced Layouts

A significant challenge in building information modeling (BIM) concerns support for modeling multiple views of buildings to meet diverse data needs of architectural, structural, or building services domains. The focus in this paper is on extending an existing schema for network-based space layouts with spatial composition modeling capabilities. The schema has been introduced in previous work to support modeling of multiple space views. Network-based space layouts are generated from space data that are created in BIM authoring systems. Selected, view-specific, spatial relations between objects in a layout are modeled as a spatial relation network. An architectural designer may use graph algorithms to find the shortest path in the spatial relation network of a pedestrian circulation layout between a workplace and a building exit. Likewise, a lighting control system designer may query a spatial relation network of a lighting layout to determine luminaires that are near a workplace. Multi-view space models may be composed of layouts with view-specific spatial relation networks. However, spatial compositions are currently not modeled explicitly. The schema is, therefore, extended with topological spatial relations which include:containment, overlap, equality, touch, and disjoint relations. With these relations, it is feasible to relate objects in different layouts. They are derived from object geometries with clash classification functions that are provided by a commercial solid modeling engine. Examples from pedestrian circulation and lighting domains illustrate rich spatial composition of network-based space layouts and their benefits for building design.