floorab

Floorab is a term used in discussions about tools for floor planning and layout evaluation. It denotes a modular framework concept intended to support generating, evaluating, and comparing alternative floor plans (A/B style testing) for a given space.

Etymology and scope: The name floorab combines “floor” from floor plans and “AB” from A/B testing. As a concept, floorab is not a single standardized product but a framework archetype described in design and software discussions.

Concept and architecture: A floorab concept envisions a core data model for spaces, dimensions, zones, doors, and constraints. A variant generator creates alternative layouts, while a solver checks feasibility and optimization targets such as footprint, circulation, daylight, and cost. A comparison module records outcomes for evaluation, enabling users to compare options and select preferred configurations.

Applications and usage: Potential applications include office and retail design, real estate development, event venue layouts, and educational facilities. In practice, floorab remains hypothetical, with implementations varying in scope and method. It is typically explored in the context of design research, architectural optimization, or early-stage software tooling.

Status and reception: There is no formal standard or universal protocol for floorab. References appear mainly in academic discussions, speculative blogs, and experimental repositories, where practitioners examine how A/B testing concepts might apply to spatial design.

See also: floor plan, A/B testing, constraint programming, layout optimization.