Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory

Akubue Jideofor Anselm

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12

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Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory

Akubue Jideofor Anselm

Published in International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications (Volume 8, Issue 4)

Received: 28 September 2022 Accepted: 13 October 2022 Published: 21 October 2022

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Abstract

The process of building design, spatial layout and arrangement provides information about the organization ability of an Architect or Planner. Circulation has been defined as the relative easiness and modes of flow through and within a building mostly in the network of spaces or routes. Studies on environmental cognition theories identify a general problem in the structuring of communication and transaction between individuals brought about by co-presence in space. This situation is largely determined by local visual fields in common spaces and perception of users which aligns movement routes through that visual field. In the case of hospital buildings, developing workable layouts in design and activity configuration remains a challenging task for Architects and Planners of hospitals. This study therefore aims at developing an appraisal technique which could be applied as a tool for assessing the wayfinding performance and circulation efficiency of hospitals. Utilizing excerpts from Space syntax analysis, this paper establishes the variables associated with wayfinding as they apply to hospitals using selected hospitals in Nigeria, it also utilized the congestion criteria together with associated space syntax theories to evaluate the circulation efficiency (CE) of these selected hospitals. These space syntax parameters were employed in order to establish the permeability of the spaces through the geometry of the buildings. The real integration (RI) values were calculated for the selected hospital buildings using asymmetry equations and the values generated from the analysis. The visibility factor was also generated using the space syntax Isovist of sights analogy. The study revealed the major archetypes for the circulation design of these hospitals as Linear, Multilateral and the Looped circulation patterns. The Circulation efficiency (CE) values obtained for each of these archetypes underscores the significance of their application in ease of wayfinding, movement and circulation of patients/staff in hospital buildings.

Published in	International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications (Volume 8, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12
Page(s)	181-196
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Circulation, Spatial Configuration, Space Syntax, Hospital Design, Wayfinding Performance

References

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APA Style

Akubue Jideofor Anselm. (2022). Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory. International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications, 8(4), 181-196. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12

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Akubue Jideofor Anselm. Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory. Int. J. Archit. Arts Appl. 2022, 8(4), 181-196. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12

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AMA Style

Akubue Jideofor Anselm. Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory. Int J Archit Arts Appl. 2022;8(4):181-196. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12,
  author = {Akubue Jideofor Anselm},
  title = {Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory},
  journal = {International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {181-196},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijaaa.20220804.12},
  abstract = {The process of building design, spatial layout and arrangement provides information about the organization ability of an Architect or Planner. Circulation has been defined as the relative easiness and modes of flow through and within a building mostly in the network of spaces or routes. Studies on environmental cognition theories identify a general problem in the structuring of communication and transaction between individuals brought about by co-presence in space. This situation is largely determined by local visual fields in common spaces and perception of users which aligns movement routes through that visual field. In the case of hospital buildings, developing workable layouts in design and activity configuration remains a challenging task for Architects and Planners of hospitals. This study therefore aims at developing an appraisal technique which could be applied as a tool for assessing the wayfinding performance and circulation efficiency of hospitals. Utilizing excerpts from Space syntax analysis, this paper establishes the variables associated with wayfinding as they apply to hospitals using selected hospitals in Nigeria, it also utilized the congestion criteria together with associated space syntax theories to evaluate the circulation efficiency (CE) of these selected hospitals. These space syntax parameters were employed in order to establish the permeability of the spaces through the geometry of the buildings. The real integration (RI) values were calculated for the selected hospital buildings using asymmetry equations and the values generated from the analysis. The visibility factor was also generated using the space syntax Isovist of sights analogy. The study revealed the major archetypes for the circulation design of these hospitals as Linear, Multilateral and the Looped circulation patterns. The Circulation efficiency (CE) values obtained for each of these archetypes underscores the significance of their application in ease of wayfinding, movement and circulation of patients/staff in hospital buildings.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory
AU  - Akubue Jideofor Anselm
Y1  - 2022/10/21
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12
T2  - International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications
JF  - International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications
JO  - International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications
SP  - 181
EP  - 196
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1131
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12
AB  - The process of building design, spatial layout and arrangement provides information about the organization ability of an Architect or Planner. Circulation has been defined as the relative easiness and modes of flow through and within a building mostly in the network of spaces or routes. Studies on environmental cognition theories identify a general problem in the structuring of communication and transaction between individuals brought about by co-presence in space. This situation is largely determined by local visual fields in common spaces and perception of users which aligns movement routes through that visual field. In the case of hospital buildings, developing workable layouts in design and activity configuration remains a challenging task for Architects and Planners of hospitals. This study therefore aims at developing an appraisal technique which could be applied as a tool for assessing the wayfinding performance and circulation efficiency of hospitals. Utilizing excerpts from Space syntax analysis, this paper establishes the variables associated with wayfinding as they apply to hospitals using selected hospitals in Nigeria, it also utilized the congestion criteria together with associated space syntax theories to evaluate the circulation efficiency (CE) of these selected hospitals. These space syntax parameters were employed in order to establish the permeability of the spaces through the geometry of the buildings. The real integration (RI) values were calculated for the selected hospital buildings using asymmetry equations and the values generated from the analysis. The visibility factor was also generated using the space syntax Isovist of sights analogy. The study revealed the major archetypes for the circulation design of these hospitals as Linear, Multilateral and the Looped circulation patterns. The Circulation efficiency (CE) values obtained for each of these archetypes underscores the significance of their application in ease of wayfinding, movement and circulation of patients/staff in hospital buildings.
VL  - 8
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Akubue Jideofor Anselm

Department of Architecture, Baze University, Abuja, Nigeria

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APA Style

Akubue Jideofor Anselm. (2022). Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory. International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications, 8(4), 181-196. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12

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ACS Style

Akubue Jideofor Anselm. Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory. Int. J. Archit. Arts Appl. 2022, 8(4), 181-196. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12

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AMA Style

Akubue Jideofor Anselm. Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory. Int J Archit Arts Appl. 2022;8(4):181-196. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12,
  author = {Akubue Jideofor Anselm},
  title = {Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory},
  journal = {International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {181-196},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijaaa.20220804.12},
  abstract = {The process of building design, spatial layout and arrangement provides information about the organization ability of an Architect or Planner. Circulation has been defined as the relative easiness and modes of flow through and within a building mostly in the network of spaces or routes. Studies on environmental cognition theories identify a general problem in the structuring of communication and transaction between individuals brought about by co-presence in space. This situation is largely determined by local visual fields in common spaces and perception of users which aligns movement routes through that visual field. In the case of hospital buildings, developing workable layouts in design and activity configuration remains a challenging task for Architects and Planners of hospitals. This study therefore aims at developing an appraisal technique which could be applied as a tool for assessing the wayfinding performance and circulation efficiency of hospitals. Utilizing excerpts from Space syntax analysis, this paper establishes the variables associated with wayfinding as they apply to hospitals using selected hospitals in Nigeria, it also utilized the congestion criteria together with associated space syntax theories to evaluate the circulation efficiency (CE) of these selected hospitals. These space syntax parameters were employed in order to establish the permeability of the spaces through the geometry of the buildings. The real integration (RI) values were calculated for the selected hospital buildings using asymmetry equations and the values generated from the analysis. The visibility factor was also generated using the space syntax Isovist of sights analogy. The study revealed the major archetypes for the circulation design of these hospitals as Linear, Multilateral and the Looped circulation patterns. The Circulation efficiency (CE) values obtained for each of these archetypes underscores the significance of their application in ease of wayfinding, movement and circulation of patients/staff in hospital buildings.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Study of Circulation Efficiency and Flow Patterns in Hospital Designs Using Space Syntax Theory
AU  - Akubue Jideofor Anselm
Y1  - 2022/10/21
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12
T2  - International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications
JF  - International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications
JO  - International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications
SP  - 181
EP  - 196
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1131
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaaa.20220804.12
AB  - The process of building design, spatial layout and arrangement provides information about the organization ability of an Architect or Planner. Circulation has been defined as the relative easiness and modes of flow through and within a building mostly in the network of spaces or routes. Studies on environmental cognition theories identify a general problem in the structuring of communication and transaction between individuals brought about by co-presence in space. This situation is largely determined by local visual fields in common spaces and perception of users which aligns movement routes through that visual field. In the case of hospital buildings, developing workable layouts in design and activity configuration remains a challenging task for Architects and Planners of hospitals. This study therefore aims at developing an appraisal technique which could be applied as a tool for assessing the wayfinding performance and circulation efficiency of hospitals. Utilizing excerpts from Space syntax analysis, this paper establishes the variables associated with wayfinding as they apply to hospitals using selected hospitals in Nigeria, it also utilized the congestion criteria together with associated space syntax theories to evaluate the circulation efficiency (CE) of these selected hospitals. These space syntax parameters were employed in order to establish the permeability of the spaces through the geometry of the buildings. The real integration (RI) values were calculated for the selected hospital buildings using asymmetry equations and the values generated from the analysis. The visibility factor was also generated using the space syntax Isovist of sights analogy. The study revealed the major archetypes for the circulation design of these hospitals as Linear, Multilateral and the Looped circulation patterns. The Circulation efficiency (CE) values obtained for each of these archetypes underscores the significance of their application in ease of wayfinding, movement and circulation of patients/staff in hospital buildings.
VL  - 8
IS  - 4
ER  -

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