A Systematic Evaluation of Computational Tools for Layout Generation: The Case of Emergency Departments

Abstract

The configuration of Emergency Department (ED) layouts requires adherence to strict guidelines and codes to achieve certain efficiency, accuracy, and safety measures. Considering the context of ED space planning, integrating computational design can cope with the complexity of floor plan generation due to its rule-based and data-driven nature. This paper presents a comparative analysis of existing plan generation plug-ins to assess their methodological approaches, input requirements, and output effectiveness in ED design. The systematic analysis intends to determine their suitability for automating ED plan generation while ensuring compliance with healthcare guidelines and regulations. The findings highlight the strengths and limitations of various plug-ins, offering insights into their applicability for optimizing spatial configurations, workflow efficiency, and patient flow management. This research contributes to advancing computational design methods in healthcare architecture, demonstrating whether and how automation can enhance precision and efficiency in complex planning tasks.