Sustainability in Energy and Buildings: Research Advances ISSN 2054-3743

Publisher Future Technology Press
Vol. 7 Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2020 - Short papers
 
Article TitleComparison of two approaches for evaluating a floorplan's ability to change: SAGA and AOM
Primary AuthorMakenzie Wilson, Brigham Young University, Clemson University
Other Author(s) Brandon Ross; Pieter Herthogs; Zoraya Rockow
Pages 1 - 9
Article ID seb20s-005
Publication Date 26-Nov-20
AbstractAn open floorplan is often cited as a key factor in the ability to adapt a building. This paper compares and contrasts two recently created approaches for quantifying the adaptability of floorplans. The Spatial Assessment of Generality and Adaptability (SAGA) method is based on graph theory and can be used to calculate the 'generality' and 'adaptability' of floorplans. Generality is the passive ability to accommodate different programs, whereas adaptability is the ability to accommodate different programs through active change. SAGA focuses on the configuration of spaces in a floor plan and their relationships with each other. The second method, Areal Openness Model (AOM), utilizes basic arithmetic, geometry, and a set of user-defined value judgements to calculate the Openness Score (OS), Weighted Openness Score (WOS), and Openness Potential (OP) of floorplans. OS indicates the lack of obstructions (walls, columns, chases) in a floorplan. WOS is a composite indicator which considers the number of obstructions and the difficulty of removing them. OP is the arithmetic difference between OS and WOS and indicates the potential of a floorplan to become more open. The authors used five case study buildings from university campuses in the USA to compare and contrast the SAGA and AOM approaches. This paper's objective is to evaluate if the methods are complementary or redundant.

 View Paper