Towards a multi-agent system for visualising simulated behaviour within the built environment

This paper describes the outline of a multi-agent system approach for visualising simulated user behaviour within a building. This system can be used to support the assessment of design performance. Visualisation is of critical importance in improving the readability of design representations. Performance indicators of buildings depend on user reactions to design decisions. Architects are often faced with the problem to assess how their design or planning decisions will affect the behaviour of individuals. Various performance indicators are related to the behaviour of individuals in particular environments. One way of addressing this problem is to develop models which relate user behaviour to design parameters. For example, simulation models of pedestrian behaviour could be developed to support planning decisions related to the location of facilities in shopping malls, not yet existing. Agent technology will be implemented to develop a framework for building performance simulation. People moving across simulated space of a building environment are represented in terms of autonomous agents. Agents positioned within an environment have sensors to perceive their local neighbourhood and some means with which to affect the environment. The choice of a multi-agent system is motivated by its promise to simulate autonomous individuals and the interaction between them.