An isovist, or viewshed, is the area in a spatial environment directly visible from a location within the space. Here we show how a set of isovists can be used to generate a graph of mutual visibility between locations. We demonstrate that this graph can also be constructed without reference to isovists and that we are in fact invoking the more general concept of a visibility graph. Using the visibility graph, we can extend both isovist and current graph-based analyses of architectural space to form a new methodology for the investigation of configurational relationships. The measurement of local and global characteristics of the graph, for each vertex or for the system as a whole, is of interest from an architectural perspective, allowing us to describe a configuration with reference to accessibility and visibility, to compare from location to location within a system, and to compare systems with different geometries. Finally we show that visibility graph properties may be closely related to manifestations of spatial perception, such as way-finding, movement, and space use.
References
1.
AmidonE LEisnerG H, 1968, “Delineating landscape view areas: a computer approach”, Forest Research Note PSW-180, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
2.
BenediktM L, 1979, “To take hold of space: Isovists and isovist fields”Environment and Planning B647–65
3.
BenediktM LBurnhamC A, 1985, “Perceiving architectural space: From optic rays to isovists”, in Persistence and Change Eds WarrenW HShawR E (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, London)
4.
BurroughP A, 1986Principles of Geographical Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment (Clarendon Press, Oxford)
5.
ConroyR, 2000Spatial Navigation in Immersive Virtual Environments PhD thesis, Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, University College London, London
6.
CurtisW J R, 1996Modern Architecture Since 1900 (Phaidon, London)
7.
DavisL SBenediktM L, 1979, “Computational models of space: Isovists and isovist fields”Computer Graphics and Image Processing11(3) 49–72
8.
de Arruda CamposM B, 1997, “Strategic space: Patterns of use in public squares of the city of London”, in Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Space SyntaxSpace Syntax Laboratory, Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, University College London, London
De FlorianiLMarzanoPPuppoE, 1994, “Line-of-sight communication on terrain models”International Journal of Geographical Information Systems8329–342
11.
FisherP F, 1991, “First experiments in viewshed uncertainty: The accuracy of the viewshed area”Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing571321–1327
12.
FisherP F, 1995, “An exploration of probable viewsheds in landscape planning”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design22527–546
13.
FisherP F, 1996, “Extending the applicability of viewsheds in landscape planning”Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing621297–1302
14.
FutagawaYNeumeyerF, 1995Mies van der Rohe: German Pavilion, International Exposition, Barcelona, Spain, 1928–29 (reconstructed 1986), Tugendhat House, Brno, Czecho, 1928–30 (ADA Edita, Tokyo)
15.
GallagherG L, 1972, “A computer topographic model for determining intervisibility”, in The Mathematics of Large Scale Simulation Ed. BrockP (Simulation Councils, La Jolla, CA) pp 3–16
HillierBHansonJ, 1984The Social Logic of Space (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge)
22.
HillierBPennA, 1992, “Dense civilisations: The shape of cities in the 21st century”Applied Energy43(1) 41–66
23.
HillierBPennAHansonJGrajewskiTXuJ, 1993, “Natural movement: Or, configuration and attraction in urban pedestrian movement”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design2029–66
24.
HillierBPennADaltonNChapmanDRedfernF, 1995, “Graphical knowledge interfaces: The extensive and intensive use of precedent databases in architecture and urban design”, in Visual Databases in Architecture Eds KoutamanisATimmermansHVermeulenI (Avebury, Aldershot, Hants) pp 197–227
25.
HillierBMajorM DDesyllasJKarimiKCamposBStonorT, 1996, “Tate Gallery, Millbank: a study of the existing layout and new masterplan proposal”, technical report, Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, University College London, London
26.
HussR EPumarM A, 1997, “Effect of database errors on intervisibility estimation”Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing63415–424
27.
KrügerM J T, 1979, “An approach to built-form connectivity at an urban scale: System description and its representation”Environment and Planning B667–88
28.
LeeJStuckyD, 1998, “On applying viewshed analysis for determining least-cost paths on digital elevation models”International Journal of Geo-Information Science12891–905
29.
LloberaM, 1996, “Exploring the topography of mind: GIS, social space and archaeology”Antiquity70612–622
30.
LynchK, 1976Managing the Sense of Region (MIT Press, Cambridge, MA)
31.
MarchLSteadmanP, 1971The Geometry of Environment (Methuen, London)
32.
MillsKFoxGHeimbachR, 1992, “Implementing an intervisibility analysis model on a parallel computing system”Computers and Geosciences181047–1054
33.
OreO, 1963Graphs and Their Uses (Random House, New York)
34.
PeponisJWinemanJRashidMHong KimSBafnaS, 1997, “On the description of shape and spatial configuration inside buildings: Convex partitions and their local properties”Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design24761–781
35.
SteadmanP, 1973, “Graph theoretic representation of architectural arrangement”Architectural Research and Teaching2161–172
36.
TandyC R V, 1967, “The isovist method of landscape survey”, in Symposium: Methods of Landscape Analysis Ed. MurrayH C (Landscape Research Group, London) pages 9–10
37.
van FraassenB C, 1980The Scientific Image (Clarendon Press, Oxford)
38.
WangJ JRobinsonG JWhiteK, 1996, “A fast solution to local viewshed computation using grid-based digital elevation models”Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing621157–1164
39.
WattsD JStrogatzS H, 1998, “Collective dynamics of ‘small-world’ networks”Nature393440–442
40.
WheatleyD, 1995, “Cumulative viewshed analysis: A Gis based method of investigating intervisibility and its archaeological application”, in Archaeology and GIS: A European Perspective Eds LockGStancicZ (Taylor and Francis, London)
41.
WilsonR J, 1996Introduction to Graph Theory (Longman, Harlow, Essex)
42.
WilsonR JBeinekeL W (Eds), 1979Applications of Graph Theory (Academic Press, London)
