Challenges and suggestions in dealing with flexible space in predicting space utilization

Flexible space is an adaptable space that has been increasingly used in many office and academic buildings as it increases the use of the space available and reduces the unnecessary building area. However, the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry lacks a formalized method that helps architects predict and update the space utilization of flexible space during the project development, as such prediction aims to maximize the use of the building space available without exceeding the target utilization policy. Consequently, current manual utilization prediction results in lower accuracy level and limits the maximized use of the flexible space, which has multiple space-use types that affect the prediction of utilization. To address this problem, we identified eight space-use type differentiators (SUTDs) based on the literature review and observations and discussed the use of them in automated space-use analysis (SUA), which can predict the utilization of flexible space via a computer program. This research builds on SUA and contributes to flexible space planning by providing a means of a more comprehensive and accurate SUA.