Network thinking architectural design: Experimenting and working with relational models

The set-up of spatial configurations is an essential topic in architectural design. The logics behind this configuration of spatial networks are significant for architects as it denotes social as well as physical implications. If we accept that design is an experiential process, then experimenting and probing gain much prominence in the process. Experiments lead architects to discover, and then to redefine their design concepts. This study focuses on the potentials of analytical methods via graph theory based tools and how to apply network thinking in architectural design. The study questions the following: If spatial systems are regarded as networks, how do various network visualization and assessment tools are useful to extrapolate the inherent pattern and the logic? How do space syntax, graph theory based tools and diagrams aid the exteriorization of this logic? How does the architect think through these tools and learn from them? The topic will be expressed by presenting an experiment from architectural practice. This experiment deals with an iterative process of "a hotel specialized on the elderly and the disabled with rehab centre" (a mix-used building which includes a hotel, a rehabilitation centre and assisted-care apartments). In the design scheme relationships based on circulation scenarios of daily activities and services are modelled and animated by network related tools like Syntactic, the Space Syntax tool in Grasshopper, a plugin for the digital design platform Rhinoceros; a software for network visualization and evaluation Cytoscape, and a mind mapping software TheBrain. This experiment aims to explore how scientific; graph theory based tools feed design thinking and making. Exploring alternative ways to integrate theoretical and practical implications of network thinking in architectural design is valuable for those in the architectural education and in practice. Findings of the research show that, graph theory based tools provide a useful basis for architects both for making and thinking about architectural space by generating scientific and numerical data. The study concludes with an array of advantages in working with network models in architectural design, and suggests future methods for design analysis and design research with network mapping tools.