This paper presents Topologic, a software modelling library that supports a comprehensive conceptual framework for the hierarchical spatial representation of buildings based on the data structures and concepts of non -manifold topology (NMT). Topologic supports concep tual design and spatial reasoning through the integration of geometry, topology, and semantics. This enables architects and designers to reflect on their design decisions before the complexities of building information modelling (BIM) set in. The paper sum marizes related work on NMT starting in the late 1980s, describes Topologic’s software architecture, methods, and classes and discusses how Topologic’s features support conceptual design and spatial reasoning. The paper includes a report on a software usab ility workshop that was conducted to validate a software evaluation methodology and reports on the collected qualitative data.
| Authors | Jabi, W.; Chatzivasileiadi, A. |
|---|---|
| Year | 2021 |
| Venue | Springer |
| DOI | 10.1007/978-3-030-57509-0_25 |
| Source Database | Backtracking |
| Bridge-to-GNN | Category B |
| GNN Architecture | Knowledge Graph Embedding (inferred from title) |
| Graph Encoding | BIM Element Topology Graph (inferred from title) |
| AEC Task | Semantic Enrichment (inferred from title) |
| Cohort | Early Infrastructure (2020–2021) |
| Implementation Framework | Topologic, Revit / Dynamo (heuristic — verify) |
|---|---|
| Key Finding | new perspective on supporting conceptual design and spatial reasoning through the integration of geometry, topology, and semantics (heuristic — verify) |
| Quality Assessment | 1/6 · rigor: Low · Code/Data: ✓ (heuristic — verify) |
| GNN architectures detected | Knowledge Graph Embedding (TransE/RotatE/DistMult) |
|---|---|
| Frameworks / libraries | Topologic / Topologicpy |
| Quality (heuristic, 6-flag) | 0/6 · rigor: Low Code/Data: —Benchmark: —Baseline: —CV/Split: —Ablation: —Reproducible: — |
Part of the GML/GNN in AEC Systematic Review (PRISMA 2020) — 112 papers, 2020–2026