A new Relation Matrix as a fruitful meta-design tool. How to overcome typological limits

The use of meta-design tools to support the early stages of the design process is widely proven in literature. Among these tools, the adjacency matrix and the bubble diagram provided the various professionals involved - not only in the AEC sector - with some useful information mainly regarding the connection types between spaces and the sizing of their dimensions. With the evolution of design and the change of architectural aims (e.g. sustainability, refurbishment), it is not fruitful, especially related to complex buildings (e.g. hospital, airport), to manage spaces and their connections through the traditional Adjacency Matrix and its dual (Bubble Diagram). These tools, used as they were originally designed, do not consider other characteristics but basic topological ones and are still linked to 2D geometry. For this reason, this research aims to increase the unexplored design potential of these tools considering huge advances in building object representation and links with knowledge. The first research steps led to a 3D analysis capable of providing knowledge on the connections and adjacencies between spaces and its environments located on different floors. Therefore, we decided to define further goals, breaking limits of the ``adjacency'' concept for a more extendable and general concept of ``relation'' between spaces and environments.