Using space syntax as a tool for architectural design

Architectural design is a sophisticated process that advances from abstract thought to concrete design. In this process, the designed product is shaped and impacted by the unique experiences, observations, perceptions and characteristics of the designer, while the design work of the architects develops through the utilization of various design tools and the designer's own architectural knowledge, one that is fed from a variety of disciplines and fields. It is this scientific knowledge that directs the innate intuitions of the designer. This 'evidence-based design'' approach is thus an attempt to bring science based knowledge into design. This study focuses on the contribution of scientific knowledge in the architectural design process and explores the potentials and advantages provided by using space syntax as a tool in this complex design process. The aim of this work is intended to serve as a decoding of the invisible characteristics of space by focusing on the configurational theory of space. To undertake this work, we established a three-staged design workshop as a means \ to evaluate the potentials of space syntax in the design process. Workshop participants (five architects and one interior designer) were given a design problem and this problem was examined during oneto-one meetings with the participants. Workshop participants were asked to design a living space for a specific site and with predetermined proportions. The workshop was divided into three stages. In the first stage the designer was asked to consider some issues related to life in a residence and the design of living spaces. In the second stage, the designer was asked to specify a set of home design relationships within a concept/action set, which includes residence-based activities (living, cooking, etc.), spaces (garden, balcony, etc.), measurable parameters (sound, light, etc.), and concepts (visibility, privacy, etc.). The third stage of the workshop focused on the space-making process. During this stage, the designers were expected to create a living space that reflected his/her design concepts. At the completion of these three stages, syntactic analyses were carried out on the designed spaces. In these analyses, the spatiality of the designer's preferences was explored and the potentials of designed spaces were discussed. The findings of the study showed that space syntax succeeds in creating a link between science and design by transferring science-based knowledge into design process and produces graphical and mathematical data that the designer can use in testing his/her design proposals.