Talk and Proceeding: Predicting Material Composition of Walls and Floors using Machine Learning

Wurzer, Gabriel; Ferschin, Peter; Erb Gavrilovici, Ingrid; Kovacs, Bálint István; Kovacic, Iva; Bindreiter, Stefan; Rast, Lukas;  Rechberger, Helmut; Rivic, Stefani; Mattersberger, Fabian; Kneidinger, Peter; Ragossnig, Arne; Maurer, Oliver; Lorenz, Wolfgang E. 
{wolfgang.lorenz|arnold.faller|gabriel.wurzer} (at) tuwien.ac.at
www.dap.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Machine Learning, Urban Mining, Material Compositions, Data Hub

Nov., 2025

• abstract book

Vale, Mário; Ferreira, Daniela (Eds.)
IGOT – University of Lisbon (Publisher)

Keywords: Architectural Design Automation, Evidence-Based Design, Algorithmic Planning, Building Science, Machine Learning

2025

• ISBN-13 : 978-3384625434

Abstract.

In the context of Urban Mining, it is essential to know the material composition of the building stock. In our project M-HUB (Data hub for the collection and viewing of material compositions of the building stock of the City of Vienna), we have thus worked on ways of learning material compositions from samples taken in buildings of various periods. We employ machine learning (e.g. random forests) to predict wall and floor compositions and use these in connection with the building footprint for extrapolation. As shown, our results closely match the ground truth (more than 80 percent accuracy, depending on building period). As a matter of fact, we can infer the material composition of the urban building stock even for buildings that have not been surveyed. Additionally, we also sample building elements (e.g. windows, doors) that can be reused or repurposed; we learn to predict the existence of such elements in the same fashion. As to the applicability of our data hub, we target real estate developers, municipalities and planners. The first ones need an estimation of how much material and what kind (contaminants!) one would incur in renovation and demolition; municipalities might be interested in the same information, but on an aggregate level. And lastly, architects might also want to incorporate “waste” material or elements into their design, so as to decrease their carbon footprint (e.g. by using old bricks, wooden beams or doors and windows).

Wurzer, G., Lorenz, W.E. (Eds.)

tredition (Publisher)

Keywords: Architectural Design Automation, Evidence-Based Design, Algorithmic Planning, Building Science, Machine Learning

2025

• ISBN-13 : 978-3384625434

Abstract.

Research-driven education (“Forschungsgeleitete Lehre“) is common throughout TU Wien, be it in the form of seminars, labs or lectures. As such, the course “Algorithms in Planning” (259.669 SE, 3 ECTS) was nothing special: We looked at recent papers, did some background research on the State of the Art in Algorithmic Planning and compiled these results into written reports (i.e. papers). However, in contrast to regular hand-ins we used a conference system and compiled a proceedings instead of letting the good work go to waste. We also organized a (student-led) conference instead of an end presentation, so this is indeed special and not something that happens regularly at our university.

Bericht - Projektbericht

Bindreiter, S., Lorenz, W.E., Grabuschnig, L., Dengg, E. A., Wurzer, G., Pachauer, V., Ugljanin, N., Nageler, P., Rasper, P., und Fellner, J.

Bundesministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation und Technologie, Wien

Keywords: Circular Economy; Building Materials; Material Intensity; Inward Development; Simulation

2025

• https://www.tuwien.at/ar/ifoer/forschung/forschungsprojekte/m-dab2
• https://nachhaltigwirtschaften.at/resources/sdz_pdf/Testentwuerfe_AP3.pdf

 

Abstract.

Bei der Bewertung von Innenentwicklungspotenzialen wurde erstmals auch die Materialintensität der Innenentwicklung (anfallende Stoffmengen) für unterschiedliche Entwicklungsvarianten berücksichtigt. Dabei wurde ein Methodenset zur holistischen Bewertung von Potenzialflächen und verschiedene Entwicklungsvarianten und -szenarien zur ressourcenschonenden Innenentwicklung geschaffen.

Talk and Proceeding: 42nd eCAADe conference; Data-Driven Intelligence (Nicosia, Cyprus, 2024 | conference)
CumInCAD

Gabriel Wurzer, Nirmala Maja Salkic and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) dap.tuwien.ac.at
www.dap.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Cellular Automata, Urban Transformation, Web Tool

Sept., 2024

• paper

Abstract.

Urban transformation is key to achieving more livable and sustainable cities. However, modelling this evolution is highly non-trivial since there are many factors at play that manifest themselves in the built (or: non-built/restored) environment. In our most recent work, we have represented urban change as rules of a three-dimensional Cellular Automaton. With these rules we represent a variety of retrofitting options - additive (e.g. densification through roof extensions, facade greening, installation of solar panels) or subtractive (e.g. soil descaling), that lead to urban change as an emergent outcome. The editing of rules is embedded into a web-based visualization which acts as a test-bed and platform we have used in a design studio setting and can thus report on our lessons learned in that context.

Talk and Proceeding: 41st eCAADe conference; Digital Design Reconsidered (TU Graz | conference)
CumInCAD

Lukas Raabe, Francesca Andriolli, Wolfgang E. Lorenz and Gabriel Wurzer
{lorenz} (at) dap.tuwien.ac.at
www.dap.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Algorithmic Design, Kindergarten Architecture, New Design Perspectives

Sept., 2023

• paper

Abstract.

In the context of the design studio "Kindergarten meets Easy Rider", new and innovative ways of building kindergartens were examined. In more detail, we took the biking milieu with its demand for freedom and individualism as a starting point for rethinking kindergarten design. Quite stunningly, this strive for freedom and individualism is also important for the building clients (i.e. children), and more unexpected similarities such as group formation through inclusion and exclusion and a constant urge to “move” were found. In an architectural context of a kindergarten, this leads to new approaches on circulation and room disposition, which we want to report on using two case studies in this paper. For both approaches, generative algorithms were developed to support the design process.

Poster Presentation: SimAUD Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design (Hamilton, Ontario, Kanada)

Gabriel Wurzer, Niko Ugljanin, Stefan Bindreiter and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
{lorenz} (at) dap.tuwien.ac.at
www.dap.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: inner development potentials; material intensities; grid-based aggregation; GIS data

May 2023

Abstract.

M-DAB2 aims at localization, quantification, and qualification of inner development potentials and shall, for the first time, account for material intensities in inner development (amount of primary material) in the context of different development scenarios. Building on the extended data basis of the previous project M-DAB (FFG No. 873569), this project elaborates on potential profiles of different building and location types according to several parameters (e.g. building period, usage, construction class). The information for determining the profiles (but also of location qualities) comes from the GIS data of Vienna. All data are aggregated on the cells of a grid, where the cell size is determined by the zoom level 17. On this basis, similarities between cells in the city are then searched for. Further location qualities are used to restrict the selection.

Talk and Proceeding: 40th eCAADe conference; Co-creating the Future: Inclusion in and through Design (KU Leuven Technology Campus, Ghent/Belgium | conference)

Matthias Kulcke and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
{lorenz} (at) dap.tuwien.ac.at
www.dap.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Configuration, Mass Customization, Complexity, Gestalt

Sept., 2022

• paper

Abstract.

This paper describes the concept of integrating several complexity evaluation methods, previously developed and tested by the authors, into one product configurator through a technical prototype. In this case variations of an online configurator for design products based on a choice of these digital complexity evaluation methods developed between 2015 and 2020 are presented.

This research shows that an integration of complexity evaluation for several Gestalt qualities in one product configurator is feasible, though the amount of aspects of each of these qualities and the necessary effort to be invested to achieve an integration that is suitable for customer use may vary. The concept is illustrated using a simple test case, i.e. an online shelf configurator.

Talk and Proceeding: 40th eCAADe conference; Co-creating the Future: Inclusion in and through Design, (KU Leuven Technology Campus, Ghent/Belgium | conference)

Til Sommer, Gabriel Wurzer and Wolfgang E. Lorenz 
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) dap.tuwien.ac.at
www.dap.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Agent-Based Simulation; Urban Dynamics; Multimodal Transport; Sustainability

Sept., 2022

• presentation (video)
• paper

Abstract.

In most cities, cars remain the dominant mode of transport. This is a huge problem not only because of obvious effects such as congestion and pollution, but also because it causes health issues for commuters themselves which lead to further costs for the community. In our work, we have developed an agent-based simulation which offers mitigation strategies and tries to propose realistic lines of action for transport modes to more sustainable modes. Our approach can import from GIS or (raster) maps, thus acting as a planning tool for urban planners and city administrators; we also included the possibility for generating theoretical / idealized cities, as a testbed and theoretical tool for instructing policy makers. Our goal is to find an equilibrium between individual freedom in transport choice, financial effort required for maintaining the overall transport system and the health of the whole population.

Student Works; Design Studio 2020W

Wolfgang E. Lorenz and Gabriel Wurzer (Hrsg.)
{wolfgang.lorenz | gabriel.wurzer} (at) tuwien.ac.at
E259-01 Institute of Architectural Sciences,
Department of Digital Architecture and Planning,
TU Wien
www.dap.tuwien.ac.at/
128 Seiten (21x21cm)
ISBN: 978-3-9504464-9-4

2021, Vienna

contributions by: Rinor Ahmetaj, Giorgia Bonet, Emanuel Bührle, Sefa Abidin Dogan, Philine Flaig, Jehona Gashi, Christian Lehner, Stefan Neischl, Clara Pfaffinger, Gazmend Rashiti, Gabriel Wurzer, Alessandro Zanin

abstract: The design studio "designing a dynamic hospital for pandemics" took place in the winter term 2020/2021 at TU Wien, during the 2nd wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Its goal was to establish novel ways in which hospital architecture can react to a pandemic crisis, mostly in a permanent (built) manner rather than by using temporary measures. As such, the subject was unprecedented in TU Wien's curriculum. New ways of working together had to be established, since TU Wien was closed (everyone worked from the home office) and we did thus not have the usual physical desk crits but rather only ZOOM calls. As a matter of fact, we shifted the medium from presentations, drawings and models to papers, which we thought would give more structure to each and every students' contribution. The outcome is to be found in this collection of working papers.

Talk and Proceeding: 39th eCAADe conference; Towards a new, configurable architecture, (Novi Sad, Serbia, 2021 | hybrid conference)

Wolfgang E. Lorenz, Arnold Faller and Gabriel Wurzer
{wolfgang.lorenz|arnold.faller|gabriel.wurzer} (at) tuwien.ac.at
www.dap.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: point clouds, thermal detection, drone detection, participation

Sept., 2021

• presentation (video)
• paper

Abstract.

European cities like Vienna are characterized by strong growth and, as a result, by high demand for living space. Extending the attic is one way of meeting this demand. However, there is a lack of data to know which roofs are already expanded and to what extent. The city is interested in the data in two ways: firstly, in relation to the distribution of potentials (a possible change in population density, for example, has an impact on infrastructure and parking space) and, secondly, in relation to the material composition (city as a material resource). This paper provides a workflow to fill this gap of knowledge. The new methods of detecting attic extensions are described and a case study is given at the end to show workability.

Journal Paper: Slovak Journal of Civil Engineering, 28 (2020), S. 18 - 22.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/sjce-2020-0010

G. Wurzer, U. Pont, W Lorenz, S. Swoboda, A. Mahdavi
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Pixel/Voxel based approach, Summer overheating, Mitigation, Urban Greenary, Decision Support.

2020, Vienna

Abstract.

The prediction of microclimate effects within an urban context through simulations has previously been done through elaborate software packages that offer accurate results but require extensive domain knowledge and time for the preparation of a model. In day-to-day policymaking, however, these efforts may turn out to be a major limiting factor: Policymakers and city administrators need a quick tool that can predict the effects of urban interventions in a variety of possible scenarios rather than a full-fledged simulation study for a limited set of specific interventions. In our work, we have been seeking to address this mismatch in expectations by using the best of both worlds: We have approximated results from a full-fledged simulation that uses a Cellular Automaton running within a 3D city visualization. Policymakers can edit the urban context by changing cell types (placement of greenery, etc.), thus leading to scenarios that can be compared to the status quo. As a matter of fact, policymakers can use these comparisons to argue for measures that mitigate the effects of heat islands, without requiring extensive domain knowledge or the effort to prepare a simulation model.

Talk and Proceeding: 38th eCAADe conference; Anthropologic - Architecture and Fabrication in the cognitive age, (Berlin, Germany, 2020 | virtual conference)

Gabriel Wurzer, Wolfgang E. Lorenz, Julia Forster, Stefan Bindreiter, Jakob Lederer, Andreas Gassner, Mathias Mitteregger, Erich Kotroczo, Pia Pöllauer and Johann Fellner
{gabriel.wurzer|wolfgang.lorenz} (at) tuwien.ac.at
www.dap.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: material reuse; sustainability; waste reduction; Design and computation of urban and local systems – XS to XL; Health and materials in architecture and cities

Sept., 2020

• presentation (video)
• paper

Abstract.

If we strive for a de-carbonized future, we need to think of buildings within a city as resources that can be re-used rather than being disposed of. Together with considerations on refurbishment options and future building materials, this gives a decision field for stakeholders which depends on the current "building stock" - the set of pre-existing buildings which are characterized e.g. by building period, location and material composition. Changes in that context are hard to argue for since (1.) some depend on statistics, other (2.) on the concrete neighborhood and thus the space in which buildings are embedded, yet again others on (3.) future extrapolations again dealing with both of the aforementioned environments. To date, there exists no tool that can handle this back-and-forth between different abstraction levels and horizons in time; nor is it possible to pursue such an endeavor without a proper framework. Which is why the authors of this paper are aiming to provide one, giving a model of change in the context of re-using material resource of the city, when faced with numerous abstraction levels (spatial or abstract; past, current or future) which have feedback loops between them. The paper focuses on a concrete case study in the city of Vienna, however, chances are high that this will apply to every other building stock throughout the world if enough data is available. As a matter of fact, this approach will ensure that argumentation can happen on multiple levels (spatial, statistical, past, now and future) but keeps its focus on making the building stock of a city a resource for sustainable development.

Talk and Proceeding: CAADRIA 2020 - RE: Anthropocene, Design in the Age of Humans (Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, 2020 | virtual conference)

W.E. Lorenz, G. Wurzer
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Alternative land-use, Three JS, Visual Representation.

August, 2020

• presentation (video)
• paper
• web application

Abstract.

The rezoning process primarily deals with proposed changes on land-use and zoning plans. More and more often, the public is asked for its opinion and feedback. However, there are two main obstacles in today´s practice: On the one hand land-use and zoning plans, in general, only define the potential of areas and so do proposed draft plans; they usually say nothing about the implementation of land-use in the built space. On the other hand, the untrained majority can hardly grasp the current form of representation as two dimensional plans with accompanying written information. In order to enable a wider public participation (and understanding), the authors present FLÄVIZ, a 3D visualization of potentials on land-use and zoning plans.

A. Chronis, G. Wurzer, W.E. Lorenz, C.M. Herr, U. Pont, D. Cupkova, G. Wainer, editors
www.simaud.org/2020/
(Vienna/online; 25.05.2020 - 27.05.2020)

in Buchreihe "2020 Proceedings of the Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design", Buchreihen-Herausgeber: SIMAUD; herausgegeben von: The Society for Modeling and Simulation International.; SIMAUD, Wien, 2020, ISBN: 978-1565553712, 622 S.

zu den Proceedings

SimAUD 2020.

The 11th annual Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design (SimAUD) offers a platform to unite researchers and practitioners in the ?elds of architecture, urban design, urban planning, building science, and data science. SimAUD 2020 invites submissions across a range of topics related to simulation with a special emphasis on methods that bridge disciplinary gaps between design, construction, operations, resource management, human behavior, and performance analytics across building and urban scales. 

This year SimAUD was hosted online, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Organizers.

Angelos Chronis (General Chair)
Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)

Gabriel Wurzer (Program Chair)
TU Wien

Wolfgang E. Lorenz (Workshops Coordinator)
TU Wien

Talk and Proceeding: eCAADe (Porto, Portugal, 2019)

W Lorenz, G. Wurzer
{lorenz|wurzer} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Adjacency, Bubble Diagram, NetLogo, Visual Representation.

September, 2019, Vienna

Abstract.

This paper is based on the assumption that a key challenge of good design is spatial organisation as a result of functional requirements. The authors present a new NetLogo application that assists designers to understand the proposed functional relationships (of spaces) by visualizing them graphically. In more detail, the tool translates adjacency matrices as representation of functional relationships into a graph (in architecture known as bubble diagram). The latter can be considered as a pre-step of the actual design, by which the information about functional interrelations becomes more readable and understandable for the designer.

Journal Paper: Applied Mechanics and Materials, 12th Envibuild - Buildings and Environment - From Research to Application Proceedings of the 12th International EnviBUILD Conference (7th & 8th September 2017) (2019), 887; pp. 553 - 560.

G. Wurzer, U. Coraglia, U. Pont, C. Weber, W Lorenz, A. Mahdavi
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

DOI: doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.887.553

Keywords: Cellular Automata, Particle Simulation, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Noise, Dust, Vibration.

January, 2019, Vienna

Abstract.

Hospital refurbishments often take place in parallel to regular operation, resulting in a scheduling problem: Construction activities must be located such as they do not clash with daily work activities and vice versa. To be able to see this mutual influence, we have devised a tool in which we are able to visualize the adverse effects of construction on daily operation. The approach uses a cellular automaton to represent the three-dimensional hospital environment and uses a particle simulation for computing the distribution of dust, noise and vibrations. By interactively relocating work activities and construction activities, our tool can be used to solve the mentioned scheduling problem. It also enables us to show the sequence of construction and relocation activities in 3D, which might be easier to interpret than a classical project plan in tabular form.

Talk and Proceeding: eCAADe 2018 - Computing for a better tomorrow - Proceedings of the 36th eCAADe Conference (Lodz, Poland, 2018)

G. Wurzer, W Lorenz
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Cellular Automata, Particle Simulation, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Noise, Dust, Vibration.

October, 2018, Vienna

Abstract.

This work explores the dichotomy between old areas offering high-quality living in a low-density neighborhood (typically near the city center) and newly-developed areas with high-density and lesser quality in the suburbs. It especially addresses the scarcity of rentable `Gründerzeit' flats in Vienna/Austria which have a ceiling height of 3.40m and date back to the mid-19th century. Other European cities have the same problem - supply of old properties perceived as offering a high quality of living does not meet the demand, which leads to high rent prices. The authors have captured the current situation of the housing market using Cellular Automaton (CA) rules; their main contribution lies in the exploration of three additional rules that seek to improve the availability of old (i.e. `Gründerzeit') flats.

design studio SS2016 (wissensch. Bericht)

W.E. Lorenz, G. Wurzer, S. Swoboda
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Digitaler Entwurf, Shop Einrichtung, algorithmisches Denken.

Februar, 2018, Vienna

Abstract.

Shop Design ist das Produkt aus Marketing, wirtschaftlichem Kalkül, Kommunikation und der Gestaltung von Räumen. Marketinganalysen beeinflussen unter der Anwendung von Prinzipien der Verkaufspsychologie sowohl die Produktplatzierung, die Wegeführung als auch die Auswahl der Präsentationsmittel. Letztlich zielen aber alle Maßnahmen auf den Umsatz ab, um vor der stetig präsenten Konkurrenz bestehen zu können. Erst der wirtschaftliche Erfolg ist Garant für das Weiterbestehen. Unter dem Einfluss der Kalkulation entstehen Bausysteme die unterschiedlichen Anforderungen gerecht werden. Aus diesen Systemen lassen sich unter Berücksichtigung eines Leitsystems verschiedene Produktgruppen präsentieren und stellen das Einkaufen zwischen schneller Notwendigkeit und vergnüglicher Erholung dar. Im Mittelpunkt dieser Betrachtungen steht stetig die Kommunikation mit dem potenziellen Kunden. Im Zuge der Lehrveranstaltung wurden nun die für das Shop Design entscheidenden Einflussfaktoren analysiert, um daraus neue gestalterische Anwendungsgebiete zu finden. Zur einfacheren Handhabung wurden algorithmische Lösungsmethoden angewandt. Diese bezogen sich nicht nur auf die Anwendung von Standardformaten (vorhandenes System), sondern auch auf eine mögliche neue gestalterische Formensprache (Entwicklung eines neuen Systems). Den Entwurfsprozess begleitete stetig die Frage in wie fern durch die Zerlegung in separat lösbare Teilbereiche neue Perspektiven eröffnet und mögliche Alternativen bereitgestellt werden können. Je nach Problemstellung änderte sich dabei der Einsatz des digitalen Werkzeugs. Zur Wegefindung und/oder Platzierung der Präsentationssysteme eignete sich etwa die agentenbasierte Simulation mit NetLogo.

Talk and Proceeding: enviBUILD2017 - Buildings and Environment - From Research to Application (Vienna, Austria, 2017)

G. Wurzer, U. Coraglia, U. Pont, C. Weber, W Lorenz, A. Mahdavi
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Cellular Automata, Particle Simulation, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Noise, Dust, Vibration.

September, 2017, Vienna

Abstract.

Hospital refurbishments often take place in parallel to regular operation, resulting in a scheduling problem: Construction activities must be located such as they do not clash with daily work activities and vice versa. To be able to see this mutual influence, we have devised a tool in which we are able to visualize the adverse effects of construction on daily operation. The approach uses a cellular automaton to represent the three-dimensional hospital environment and uses a particle simulation for computing the distribution of dust, noise and vibrations. By interactively relocating work activities and construction activities, our tool can be used to solve the mentioned scheduling problem. It also enables us to show the sequence of construction and relocation activities in 3D, which might be easier to interpret than a classical project plan in tabular form.

Proceeding (workshop): eCAADe (Rome, Italy, 2017)

M. Kulcke, W Lorenz, G. Wurzer
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Gradient Analysis, architectural quality.

September, 2017, Vienna

Abstract.

The paper describes and discusses the possible integration of gradient analysis into the learning environment, as a tool to optimize design-objects in regards to their proportion-complexity. To create a responsive system to be used within a design- or learning process the gradient analysis has been integrated in an interactive genetic algorithm (IGA). Within the IGA it serves to determine the fitness value of a given object evaluating the degree of proportion complexity and to create variations with an optimized degree of proportion complexity.

Talk and Proceeding: eCAADe (Rome, Italy, 2017)

G. Wurzer, W Lorenz, T. Cerovsek, B. Martens
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Differentiation, Design, Science, ProceeDings, CumInCAD.

September, 2017, Vienna

Abstract.

This paper explores the differences between `design' and `science' papers published at eCAADe conferences through use of automatic classification. The latter is conducted using a set of differentiating criteria (e.g. number of figures determines a paper to be either `design' or `science') which are calibrated with the help of a manual selection of papers from eCAADe 2015 as ground truth. Results show that we predict 83% of the papers correctly; experiments using data from eCAADe 2014 until eCAADe 2016 furthermore show the stability of our results. However, we are not so much after the development this automatic classification but rather want to characterize the two research cultures of design and science. This is achieved by taking a close look at the differentiating criteria, which can inform tools such as ProceeDings over possible future directions and adaptation needs.

Talk and Proceeding: SIMaud (Toronto, Canada, 2017)

Gabriel Wurzer, Jelena Djordjic, Wolfgang E. Lorenz und Vahid Poursaeed
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Simulation; database; spatial representation; web services.

May, 2017, Vienna

Abstract.

Obtaining spatial representations of existing buildings for use in simulation is challenging: To begin with, getting permission to access submitted construction plans can take a long time. Then these might only be available in analog form, making it necessary to scan and vectorize them at the regulations office. The resulting representation might still not be adequate for simulation, requiring further extraction of relevant features and enrichment by additional information in order to fit the simulation domain. In our work, we have specifically targeted simulation types that work with schemata (e.g. occupancy, work and egress simulations). Our contribution lies in restructuring the aforementioned workflow so as to (1.) minimize time and effort spent on digitizing and to (2.) automatically derive schemata – sets of boundary polygons which (3.) can be further enriched by attributes. These steps are embedded into a web-based building database which allows uploads and queries per web interface as well as web services. The query interface furthermore includes (4.) the ability to download the schemata both in vector as well as raster form so that they can be used for both discrete and continuousspace approaches. Apart from acting as data provider, the database furthermore (5.) allows for spatial predicate functions which may be used for analysis of a space program.

W.E. Lorenz, G. Wurzer, S. Swoboda
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/

in: Journal Architektur Wettbewerbe – Das Magazin für Baukultur
Nr. 327; 4/2016

August, 2016, Vienna

Abstract.

Ziel einer Lehrveranstaltung an der TU Wien war es, das Verständnis und den Einsatz algorithmischen Denkens in der Architekturpraxis bei angehenden Architekten zu fördern.

Hier geht es zum Beitrag

BauSIM 2016, in: Talk and Proceeding: Proceedings of the CESBP Central European Symposium on Building Physics AND BauSIM 2016; Fraunhofer IRB Verlag; Dresden (Germany); 14.09.2016 - 16.09.2016

G. Wurzer, U. Pont, W Lorenz, A. Mahdavi
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Dresden; Germany

August, 2016, Vienna

Abstract.

This contribution focuses on recent efforts towards coupling building morphology optimization and energy efficiency computation in the context of early stage hospital planning. In more detail, a Netlogo model was conceived to generate typological design variations based on a grid grammar. Each resulting design was subjected to a fitness test based on a coupled energy performance model, which is unprecedented for early stage form finding to the best of our knowledge. However, given that hospitals require a large amount of energy for operation, energy efficiency considerations should indeed be implemented as early as possible within the design process. The given paper presents methodology and early results of these efforts.

eCAADe 2016, in: Talk and Proceeding: The 34th International Conference on Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe; Real Time, (Oulu 2016) (Oulu (Finland); 22.08.2016 - 26.08.2016)

Wolfgang E. Lorenz and Gabriel Wurzer
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Oulu; Finland

Keywords: NetLogo; Digital Design; Bricks; Education.

August, 2016, Vienna

Abstract.

The design studio 'Flying Bricks' was held during the summer semester 2015. Its main objective was to redesign an existing building with the use of facing bricks algorithmically, utilizing algorithmic thinking and programming as a means for form generation. The purpose of having students express their designs in terms of code was to emphasize problem thinking over solution generation, which has several advantages but also disadvantages which we would like to share in this paper. Furthermore, we would like to show how our implementation process worked, so that others can leverage that for their own algorithmic design courses.

eCAADe 2016, in: Talk and Proceeding: The 34th International Conference on Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe; Real Time, (Oulu 2016) (Oulu (Finland); 22.08.2016 - 26.08.2016)

Gabriel Wurzer and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Oulu; Finland

Keywords: Adjacency Graph, Social Network Analysis.

August, 2016, Vienna

Abstract.

In this paper, we have adopted methods from Social Network Analysis in order to analyze adjacency graphs. Our intent was to uncover as much hidden structures as possible so as to improve adjacency requirements before they are used further on during the design process. To that end, we have conducted a case study using two readily available software packages (Gephi, Pajek), concluding that these could benefit from being more transparent about the underlying algorithms and more geared towards the problem domain 'adjacency analysis' when it comes to data entry and visualization. As a matter of fact, we produced an open-source prototype called SpaceBook, which customizes computation and visualization in the aforementioned spirit.

eCAADe 2016, in: Talk and Proceeding: The 34th International Conference on Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe; Real Time, (Oulu 2016) (Oulu (Finland); 22.08.2016 - 26.08.2016)

Matthias Kulcke and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Oulu; Finland

Keywords: Interactive Genetic Algorithm; Design Complexity; Redundancy; Spatial Analysis; Form and Geometry; Proportion.

August, 2016, Vienna

Abstract.

The paper describes and discusses the possible integration of gradient analysis, as a method and tool for architects and designers to analyze the degree of proportion-complexity of a design, into the process of designing an object utilizing interactive genetic algorithms (IGA). A VBA implementation for AutoCAD has been developed by the authors, enabling to test the usability of genetic algorithms (GA) for minimizing the angle-redundancy and length-redundancy quotient. The gradient analysis itself has been developed on the basic assumption that the complexity of an objects appearance is reduced by redundancy, which can be measured focussing on different levels of comparison; among others e. g. variety of material, colour-combinations and proportion. The latter comes under scrutiny if the method of gradient analysis is applied.

SimAUD 2016, in: Talk and Proceeding: Proceedings of SimAUD 2016; Society for Modeling & Simulation International (SCS), (London, UK, 2016); 16.05.2016 - 18.05.2016

Gabriel Wurzer and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
London

Keywords: Typology; Grammars, Adjacency Comparison.

May, 2016, Vienna

Abstract.

Applying different typologies to the same building yields a number of options concerning extensibility and circulation. However, it is hard to rate and compare these in order to find the most fitting one for a specific building task at hand. In this paper, we wish to work towards this goal using a showcase in which we generate and rate a large number of buildings in order to find out whether certain typologies prevail among the fittest solutions. On a technical level, we contribute (1.) a simple cell-space grammar that generates building volumes, given a preference for different axes in which form can develop - orthogonal, diagonal and vertical, (2.) a rating procedure which infers a fitness for every solution, based on (a.) the assignment of functions to parts of the generated building and computation of adjacencies between these and (b.) the extensibility of the building along its axes. Typologies are attributed in a post-step, as part of a manual analysis. Our results show a preference for the compact/central building type, as dictated by the use of adjacencies for rating a building.

MathMod 2015, in: Talk and Proceeding: eCAADe 2015 - 33rd Annual Conference of education and research in computer-aided architectural design in Europe, (Vienna 2015) (Vienna; 16.09.2015 - 18.09.2015)

Matthias Kulcke and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Gradient-Analysis, Design-Complexity, Redundancy, Spatial Analysis, Form and Geometry, Proportion.

September, 2015, Vienna

Abstract.

The aim of the research presented in this paper is to provide an additional method and tool for architects and designers as well as students and scholars to analyze the degree of complexity of a design. Fractal analysis (box counting) e.g. is one of these methods already used in architecture to measure the degree of complexity of an architectural design, for example of the elevation of a building. The method of semi-automated gradient-analysis described here focuses on the repetition of gradients and thus of proportion-repetition in a given design as one of several aspects of complexity reduction by redundancy.

MathMod 2015, in: Proceedings of MathMod 2015 (Vienna; 18.02.2015 - 20.02.2015)

Wolfgang E. Lorenz, Martin Bicher and Gabriel Wurzer
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Adjacencies, gravitational model, planning tool, hospital planning, space layout planning.

February, 2015, Vienna

Abstract.

Adjacencies stand at the beginning of a multitude of planning tasks. Especially in hospital planning they are essential for describing relationships between different organizational units – e.g. ‘close’, ‘distant’ or ‘neutral’. Mathematically, these terms map to relative weights between each pair of units in the range [-1, 1] which are put into a (symmetric) adjacency matrix. This matrix subsequently determines relative locations of individual spaces (preliminary space layout). The paper deals with the effective definition of this adjacency matrix in the context of early-stage architectural planning. In contrast to current planning practice, which looks at each adjacency relation in isolation, our approach uses a Newtonian gravitation model to propagate changes to a single relationship immediately to the whole space layout. As a result, we are able to supply architects with a design tool that accelerates the definition of adjacencies and lets them preview the preliminary space layout at the same time.

Co-Author: MathMod 2015, in: Proceedings of MathMod 2015 (Vienna; 18.02.2015 - 20.02.2015)

Gabriel Wurzer, Wolfgang E. Lorenz, Matthias Rößler, Irene Hafner, Barbara Glock, Martin Bruckner and Niki Popper
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Hospital planning, design tool, treatment chain, Agent-Based Simulation, space layout planning.

February, 2015, Vienna

Abstract.

Discrete-event simulation of hospitals typically specifies flow by means of a process graph through which patients are routed. While this is generally fine for models in which processes are clearly defined, e.g. smaller units such as emergency departments, it falls short of capturing the fact that a patient can in principle go from one unit to any other unit if medical procedure requires it. This problem becomes even more evident when modeling a whole hospital, at which level specifying each individual treatment through directed edges and nodes becomes unviably complex. In the past three years, we have been developing a combined hospital simulation/space design tool in which processes are defined individually by patient, as sequence of visited units imported from the Hospital Information System (treatment chains). The major advantage of this approach lies in the fact that we can now design a future space layout in which assumed capacities (staffing, equipment, required space) can be tested against the recorded patient volume, using an Agent-Based Simulation to re-enact each treatment chain. In contrast to other hospital simulations, this approach targets early stages of architectural conception, during which the actual building structure is elaborated. Using the method, we can compare and contrast different layouts during that stage, making simulation a driver for design rather than a tool for late optimization within the final floor plan.

Co-Author: SimAUD 2014, in: Proceedings of SimAUD 2014 (Tampa, FL; 13.04.2014 - 16.04.2014)

Gabriel Wurzer and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Early-Stage, Hospital Planning, Visualization.

April, 2014, Vienna

Abstract.

The operation of complex buildings (e.g. airports, hospitals, industrial facilities, penitentiaries) is commonly simulated forward in time: Agents arrive and perform their prescribed tasks, utilizing resources and space as required. When trying to understand the model's state at a certain point in time, say, "why is this resource over-utilized", one must either guess or run the simulation again to determine what the cause is. Our contribution lies in the introduction of causal chains into the workflow of an agent-based simulation, so that an end user (in our case: process planner and hospital architect) can get a further insight into the intermediate simulation result at a certain point in time, without having to re-run it. .

Co-Author: IWISH 2013, in: Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Innovative Simulation for Health Care (sic!) (Athens; 09-25-2013 - 09-27-2013)

Gabriel Wurzer and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Fuzzy Logic, Hospital Simulation, Early-Stage Design.

September, 2013, Vienna

Abstract.

Simulation in early stages of hospital planning might not live up to its full potential: Results come as quantitative (crisp) values, whereas early conception specifies requirements in a more qualitative (think: linguistic) fashion. Because of this gap, it is no wonder when planners cannot easily interpret what is computed. In our most recent work, we have addressed this issue through fuzzy analysis: Crisp simulation results are mapped back into linguistic terms, which can then be compared to the requirements set by the planning team. On the one hand, this enables us to communicate “in the right language”, on the other hand, we may use this comparison for automatically raising warnings, in case there is a mismatch between the two.

Co-Author: IWISH 2012, in: Proceedings of the International Workshop on Innovative Simulation for Health Care 2012 (Vienna; 09-19-2012 - 09-21-2012)

Gabriel Wurzer, Wolfgang E. Lorenz and M. Pferzinger
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: early design process, hospital planning, diagrammatic tools, pre-tender simulation.

September, 2012, Vienna

Abstract.

Hospital simulation has so-far concentrated on late phases of architectural planning, in which the design is already fully formulated and undergoes optimization. This paper moves into the exactly opposite direction - it tries to embed simulation into the earliest phase imaginable, which, interestingly, is well before any architectural planning occurs: The pre-tender work that is done by or on behalf of the client, using naïve diagrams based on interviews with the medical staff as models.

Co-Author: The 30th International Conference on Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe; Digital Physicality | Physical Digitality, (Prague 2012)

Gabriel Wurzer, Nikolay Popov and Wolfgang E. Lorenz
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/
Vienna; Austria

Keywords: Agent-Based Simulation; Early-Stage Planning; NetLogo; Design Process.

September, 2012, Vienna

Abstract.

During early-stage planning, numerous design decisions are taken in an argumentative manner, based on occupation with the building site according to the different infl uencing aspects (e.g. topology, wind, visibility, circulation, activities etc.). In this context, sketches, diagrams and spreadsheets are the workhorses for elaboration. However, some of these phenomena are dynamic by nature, and are rather poorly modeled when utilizing static media. In our work, we thus show how agent-based simulation can be used to compute and visualize dynamic factors, in order to inform the decision process on a qualitative level. As a matter of fact, simulations may be used as a design tool in their own right, for analysis and objectifi ed comparison among multiple design variations.

Co-Author: eCAADe 2011; in "Proceedings of eCAADe 2011"; T. Zupancic et al. (Hrsg.); eCAADe 2011 in Ljubljana; (2011); S.51-56

G. Wurzer, S. Alacam and W.E. Lorenz
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at | semosphere (at) gmail.com
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/ | www.mimarliktabilisim.itu.edu.tr/main.aspx
Vienna; Austria

October, 2011, Vienna

Abstract.

Computer programming in architecture seems to be commonplace throughout the eCAADe Community. Yet, a critical evaluation of a programming course as seen from a student’s side is still missing. During a week-long programming workshop in a fellow university, we have been assessing subjective parameters such as mood, quality of presentation and comprehensibility, comparing these to the actual topics that were covered at this instance. Our results contribute to understanding architecture students in their quest towards algorithmical thinking. We are convinced that the discussion given in this paper will help other teachers to further increase the quality of their lectures. Furthermore, the structure of our approach may serve as basis for further research into recording student behavior during programming courses.

in "Agents In Archeology '11 - website";  K. Kowarik, H. Reschreiter, G. Wurzer, M. Doneus (Hrsg.);  Natural History Museum Vienna; (2011); 86 pages

G. Wurzer and W.E. Lorenz
{wurzer|lorenz} (at) iemar.tuwien.ac.at
www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/ 
Vienna; Austria

February, 2011, Vienna

Abstract.

Archeology has embraced the topic of agent-based modelling (ABM) as a powerful tool for understanding, formalizing and testing theories.
This workshop is aimed at students and researchers in the archaeological sciences interested in the use of agent-based simulations in archaeological research. It will be centered on practical tutorials which will provide a basic understanding if how to use the free software package NetLogo and to build simple agent-based models to address research questions  in this field. Lectures will cover theoretical background and recent research results.