Optimal Shape of Floors That Minimizes Distances Outside and Inside a Building

Abstract

This paper develops an analytical model for analyzing the effect of the floor shape on the travel distances outside and inside a building. The average distances outside and inside a building are obtained for a multi-story building with rectangular floors in a rectangular site. The analytical expressions for the average distances show how the floor shape and the location of entrances affect the distances. The average distance outside the building increases (decreases) with the aspect ratio of floors in a square (rectangular) site. The average distance inside the building increases with the aspect ratio. The entrances at the four corners of the building can decrease the distance outside the building but increase the distance inside the building.