Investigating patterns of contemporary architecture using data mining techniques

This paper addresses the utilization of Data Mining as an advanced
technique of information technologies to investigate and identify the patterns
of architectural features of contemporary architecture in Saudi Arabia in two
suggested building types: houses and commercial office buildings. Such patterns
will help in developing a model of patterns of architectural features that can
be utilized to augment the architectural context of Saudi Arabia. The paper
presents a constructed framework that provides a comprehensive analysis of
recognition criteria for identifying each architectural feature of the nominated
set of nine features. These architectural features include: spatial relationships,
space allocation, circulation, building form, façade treatment, building structure,
external finishes, environmental aspects, and cultural features. The recognition
criteria for these architectural features are expressed in the attribute-value
format. Such criteria are extracted for houses and commercial office buildings
specifically within the context of Saudi contemporary architecture based on
extensive case analysis that represents the diversity of architectural designs of
houses and commercial office buildings. The paper also, introduces a process
model of applying Data Mining for investigating patterns of contemporary
architecture.