History  

  Syntax2D originated with Prof. Jim Turner, a pioneer of Computer Aided Design with over 30 years of teaching and research experience with the University of Michigan.

  For several years, Prof. Turner worked with faculty and students, programming custom spatial analysis tools for their research. Over time, this collection of programs became Syntax2D. Several projects at the University are currently using the latest version of the software.

   To benefit the field of Space Syntax, the doctoral program has decided to release Syntax2D under an open source license. Over the past few months, our team has been modernizing the code and preparing documentation and infrastructure to support the development community. 


Syntax2D Team:

(Pictured in the following order, from top to bottom)

  Jim Turner is Professor of Architecture in the Doctoral Program in Architecture at the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, University of Michigan. He has taught programming, structures, and CAD courses since 1974, and in 2002 received the ACADIA award for Teaching Excellence. From 1984-1991 Jim was a member of the IGES/STEP committee and wrote some of the earliest Building Information Models. He began writing the prototype for Syntax2D in 2001 and continues to provide programming advice to the Syntax2D team. Today, Jim spends his spare time writing band arrangements and playing piano and saxophone.

  Dr. Jean Wineman is Professor of Architecture, Associate Dean and Chair Doctoral Program in Architecture at the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, University of Michigan. Her research interests focus on the links between visual and spatial properties of architecture and behavioral and educational outcomes. Her recent research and scholarship examines application of spatial design measures in predicting residential satisfaction/behavior, in exploring the effects of spatial layout on educational outcomes in zoos and museums, and in facility design to support work performance.

  Dr. Sophia Sparra is Associate Professor of Architecture in the Doctoral Program in Architecture at the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, University of Michigan. Her research interests are in the area of formal and spatial description using computer modeling, the relationship between spatial morphology and the social/cultural performance of buildings and urban spaces, the formation of cultural meaning in architecture, and the development of architectural concepts in the design process.


Research Assistants

  Sung-Kwon Jung is a PhD pre-candidate in the Doctoral Program in Architecture at the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, University of Michigan. He is the lead programmer for Syntax2D.

  Nicholas Senske is a PhD pre-candidate in the Doctoral Program in Architecture at the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, University of Michigan. He is the project coordinator for Syntax2D.