A quantitative evaluation method for ritual design expression in case studies of traditional Chinese architecture

Abstract

Ritual constitutes a bidirectional interaction between humans and environments, necessitating quantitative evaluation methods for ritual design expression. Traditional evaluation methods primarily rely on qualitative judgments, lacking quantitative processes. This study proposes a novel quantitative framework integrating environmental simulation and agent-based modeling to assess ritual design expression in architecture. Four traditional ritual buildings (faith-based, ceremonial, political, secular) and two non-ritual spaces were analyzed. Key steps included: (1) digital modeling of ritual procedures and spatial parameters; (2) agent-based simulation (Anylogic platform) tracking compliance with ritual paths; (3) development of evaluation criteria grounded in existing theories and scientific hypotheses; (4) quantification via metrics like path alignment and behavioral consistency. The validation results demonstrate the effectiveness of this quantitative evaluation approach. This study also discusses the practical value of the evaluation tool and future research directions, informing the preservation of traditional ritual architecture and the innovation of modern ritualistic spatial design.