A clustering-based method of typical architectural case mining for architectural innovation

Architectural innovation is important for improving the built environment. In recent years, an increasing number of architects have focused on this field. A comprehensive understanding of existing building design patterns contributes to reasonable innovation. Based on the large number of architectural cases on the internet in the big data era, this study proposes a three-stage case mining method, containing case collection, case analysis and case study, to find typical architectural cases, discover existing design patterns and create new design patterns by using cluster analysis of architectural cases. An extensive architectural design case mining system and a case clustering program are developed to assist in the case analysis. An agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm is applied to support the case clustering program. The example shows the complete application process and practical effect of the proposed method. With this intelligent method, architects can make more reasonable innovations in projects. The proposed typical case mining method is also expected to be useful for engineers and planners with similar needs.