Topological Approximations for Spatial Representations

The Centre for Evolutionary Computing in Architecture (CECA) at the University of East London has focused for the last 5 years on methods of cognitive spatial descriptions, based largely on either behavioural patterns (i.e., Miranda 2000 or Raafat 2004) or topological machines (i.e., Derix 2001, Ireland 2002 or Benoudjit 2004). The former being agent based, the latter (neural) network based. This year’s selection of student work constitutes a combination of cognitive agents + perceptive networks, and comprises three theses. All three projects are in development and promise to be explored further. Their relevance cannot be underestimated at a time when so called ‘smart’ technologies seem to have been exploited and the demand for self-regulating ‘intelligent’ media is growing. This means for architects that they will need to understand the occupants’ perception and their behaviours in more depth by using such simulation methods.