Enhancing Spatial Legibility through Building Layout Optimization: The Case of Erbil City Shopping Malls
This paper investigates the integration of Architectural Design Optimization (ADO) into architectural design to improve shopping mall layouts. It aims to address the research gap by developing a comprehensive framework for optimizing spatial legibility in shopping mall layouts. The methodology emplo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Arabic |
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Assiut University, Faculty of Engineering
2025-11-01
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| Series: | JES: Journal of Engineering Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://jesaun.journals.ekb.eg/article_444278_ffd6d3d03515fd30f90e4383259eccd0.pdf |
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| author | Sally Ghanim Faris Mustafa |
| author_facet | Sally Ghanim Faris Mustafa |
| author_sort | Sally Ghanim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper investigates the integration of Architectural Design Optimization (ADO) into architectural design to improve shopping mall layouts. It aims to address the research gap by developing a comprehensive framework for optimizing spatial legibility in shopping mall layouts. The methodology employed a multi-method approach, combining qualitative (researcher's checklist) and quantitative (genetic algorithm, GA) methods in data processing and statistical analysis. Seven shopping malls in Erbil City with different spatial layout typologies served as case studies. Results demonstrated significant improvements in spatial legibility through GA-optimized layouts, resulting in a substantial reduction in occlusivity, an increased visibility area, shorter path lengths, and reduced navigation times. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between visibility and navigation efficiency, and that functional aspects of layouts contribute more significantly to spatial legibility than intangible design elements. Surprisingly, linear layouts, rather than hybrid layouts, appeared more effective in accommodating diverse user preferences. The study concluded that the use of GA provides an effective, data-driven approach to improving architectural designs, going beyond traditional qualitative judgments. The novelty of this approach lies in its pioneering application as a systematic optimization technique for the spatial planning of shopping malls, providing quantitative improvements to design elements such as spatial visibility and wayfinding, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fe4996eb4b2d47648ea014fa5b8f8e17 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1687-0530 2356-8550 |
| language | Arabic |
| publishDate | 2025-11-01 |
| publisher | Assiut University, Faculty of Engineering |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JES: Journal of Engineering Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-fe4996eb4b2d47648ea014fa5b8f8e172025-08-20T03:06:17ZaraAssiut University, Faculty of EngineeringJES: Journal of Engineering Sciences1687-05302356-85502025-11-0153677379410.21608/jesaun.2025.399825.1590444278Enhancing Spatial Legibility through Building Layout Optimization: The Case of Erbil City Shopping MallsSally Ghanim0Faris Mustafa1Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, IraqDepartment of Architecture, College of Engineering, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, IraqThis paper investigates the integration of Architectural Design Optimization (ADO) into architectural design to improve shopping mall layouts. It aims to address the research gap by developing a comprehensive framework for optimizing spatial legibility in shopping mall layouts. The methodology employed a multi-method approach, combining qualitative (researcher's checklist) and quantitative (genetic algorithm, GA) methods in data processing and statistical analysis. Seven shopping malls in Erbil City with different spatial layout typologies served as case studies. Results demonstrated significant improvements in spatial legibility through GA-optimized layouts, resulting in a substantial reduction in occlusivity, an increased visibility area, shorter path lengths, and reduced navigation times. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between visibility and navigation efficiency, and that functional aspects of layouts contribute more significantly to spatial legibility than intangible design elements. Surprisingly, linear layouts, rather than hybrid layouts, appeared more effective in accommodating diverse user preferences. The study concluded that the use of GA provides an effective, data-driven approach to improving architectural designs, going beyond traditional qualitative judgments. The novelty of this approach lies in its pioneering application as a systematic optimization technique for the spatial planning of shopping malls, providing quantitative improvements to design elements such as spatial visibility and wayfinding, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience.https://jesaun.journals.ekb.eg/article_444278_ffd6d3d03515fd30f90e4383259eccd0.pdfarchitectural design optimization-adospatial legibilitybuilding layout optimizationshopping mallgenetic algorithm-ga |
| spellingShingle | Sally Ghanim Faris Mustafa Enhancing Spatial Legibility through Building Layout Optimization: The Case of Erbil City Shopping Malls JES: Journal of Engineering Sciences architectural design optimization-ado spatial legibility building layout optimization shopping mall genetic algorithm-ga |
| title | Enhancing Spatial Legibility through Building Layout Optimization: The Case of Erbil City Shopping Malls |
| title_full | Enhancing Spatial Legibility through Building Layout Optimization: The Case of Erbil City Shopping Malls |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing Spatial Legibility through Building Layout Optimization: The Case of Erbil City Shopping Malls |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing Spatial Legibility through Building Layout Optimization: The Case of Erbil City Shopping Malls |
| title_short | Enhancing Spatial Legibility through Building Layout Optimization: The Case of Erbil City Shopping Malls |
| title_sort | enhancing spatial legibility through building layout optimization the case of erbil city shopping malls |
| topic | architectural design optimization-ado spatial legibility building layout optimization shopping mall genetic algorithm-ga |
| url | https://jesaun.journals.ekb.eg/article_444278_ffd6d3d03515fd30f90e4383259eccd0.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sallyghanim enhancingspatiallegibilitythroughbuildinglayoutoptimizationthecaseoferbilcityshoppingmalls AT farismustafa enhancingspatiallegibilitythroughbuildinglayoutoptimizationthecaseoferbilcityshoppingmalls |