Adding “Wings” to the Adjacency Analysis

The space adjacency matrix that I have frequently discussed can be expanded to include additional information that can be useful in decision-making.  Factors that may affect groupings or positioning such as sun/shade, privacy, and so forth can be included to help with your analysis.

First, the question of how do you expand it.  The triangular analysis format has three sides.  In the examples I have shown, the flat vertical side to the left is used to list the spaces.  The two diagonal sides are to the right.  We can actually add on to those sides to create additional space for more information that can be important in our analysis.  The grid will look like this:

Blank Triangular Adjacency Matrix with Data Extensions

The upper right edge, the lower right edge, or both can be used to add on detail information.  The example above shows both edges being used.  The key thing to remember is that each box on these two diagonal edges only applies to the corresponding space that we are analyzing.  The descriptive boxes added to the two diagonal edges line up to particular spaces.  What you will potentially be listing is information or characteristics that apply to those spaces.  If you do add information to both edges, the intersections of the two sets of information are not necessarily relevant, but they can sometimes be informative.  More on this point later.

Before we go on, let’s look at some of the data sets you could potentially add on to your adjacency analysis.  You could add each space’s estimated size in square feet.  You could add sun, partial, or shade descriptors.  Additional items such as private, semi-private, or open may be useful.  You can add descriptors for breeze effect, occupancy data, furnishing needs, constraints such as maximum size, seasonal usage, and so forth.  You can also just use the descriptive space to detail what each space is going to be used for.  The point to remember is that whatever characteristics or attributes you list should be desired in that space.  We do not know where these spaces are actually going to be positioned, shaped, or sized at this point.  Any information we list is going to be used to help us make those decisions.  We do not know at this point of the actual space will be in a sunny or shady area or if it will have access to breezes.

I really does not matter if you list the characteristics or attributes on the form before you actually do the adjacency analysis.  In many cases, it may be less confusing to go the adjacency analysis first.  You can add one or more attributes when you are done.  Actually having the adjacency analysis complete may help you choose which attributes you should look at.

After adding the attributes you can look at patterns in the adjacency analysis and see how the patterns of adjacency relate to the attributes you have entered.  Here is an example:

Example Triangular Adjacency Matrix with Attribute Added

The adjacency analysis above is the same one I have used in other posts.  It has been extended with desired attributes for overhead cover versus open.  Items where this is applicable are coded Covered, Partial cover, or Open.  You can see the areas that require or suggest cover are grouped around an area with high adjacency requirements.  The one space with negative adjacency is the outdoor kitchen cooking area.  The open areas are clustered around areas with no adjacency requirements and the negative adjacency associated with the cooking area and fire pit.  What this suggests is first that the dining area and outdoor kitchen serve area are not only closely associated, they could potentially also share some sort of cover option.  They could potentially even be extended to provide some cover for the kitchen access.

Adding the additional characteristics or attributes to your space adjacency analysis is like putting various lens over a picture.  You can change the view or perspective to look at new design possibilities.  This format, with to two areas on the right edges allows for two different characteristics or attributes to be used at the same time.  Depending on the project, you may need to look at additional factors.  That being the case, there are a couple of options.  First, you can simple copy the space adjacency analysis and add one or two factors at a time.  Second, there are ways to add additional space for more factors