The comparative analysis menu accesses the most advanced analysis tool set within the Isovist_App and provides a novel form of spatial data interrogation. It is probable that there is some consistency between common discrete quantitative structures within comparative point clouds of key isovist measures, and common discrete spatial typologies or elements. Such a set of relations, if rigorously defined, could form a novel syntax for the description of architectural space.
Above: Comparative chart analysis of isovist scans of Hans Hollein’s Monchengladbach Museum
To conduct a comparative analysis:
- Import and set up a drawing for field analysis as normal.
- Open the ‘Field Analysis menu’, and run the analysis in the advanced mode if all measures are required.
- Select a field analysis for display on screen from either the ‘Isovist’ or ‘Space Syntax’ measures options. Wait… for the data representation to reach a stable condition.
- As the spatial analysis fields start to become coherent, open the ‘Comparative analysis’ menu.
- Select the required fields for comparison by clicking on the X-axis, Y-axis and if necessary Z-axis options. A dynamically updating scatter plot chart should appear.
- The analysis plots the normalised spatial measures of the user axis selections against one another, forming a point cloud in either two or three dimensions. Over time the structures seen will vary less as the analysis results stabilise. They can be zoomed into using the mouse scroll, and spun around in the case of the 3d visualisation, by clicking and dragging.
- To vary the colouration of points in the chart, use the two available sliders, ‘Calibrate’ and ‘Spread’. The default colouration of comparative chart and spatial representations grades from a 1:1 ratio of compared values (red) to a very high or very low ratio (blue). The fall-off and the median of colouration can be varied to assist in identifying spatial patterns of consistent correlation.
- To highlight regions of data points, either on the chart, or in 2d field view, click on the ‘select points’ option in the comparative menu, and then click and drag with the cursor around the desired selection on screen. Doing so should highlight the selected points in magenta.
- To switch between visualisation of the comparative data in chart form, 2d spatial field form, and 3d spatial landscape form, select from the drop down immediately below the calibration sliders.
- To clear a highlighted set of points, press the ‘reset selection’ button at the foot of the comparative analysis menu.
Below: A 3d comparative point cloud of isovist measures in Mies’ Barcelona Pavilion.
