Space syntax is a theory and set of methods for the analysis of spatial configurations of all kinds, especially where spatial configuration seems to be a significant aspect of human affairs, as it is in buildings and cities. Originally conceived by Professor Bill Hillier and colleagues at The Bartlett, UCL in the 1980s as a tool to help architects simulate the likely effects of their designs, it has since been used around the world in a variety of research areas and design applications. It has been extensively applied in the fields of architecture, urban design, planning, transportation and interior design. In recent years, space syntax techniques have also been used for research in fields as diverse as archaeology, information technology, urban and human geography, physics and anthropology.

Space syntax is best known through The Social Logic of Space (Cambridge University Press, 1984) by Professor Bill Hillier and Professor Julienne Hanson and Space is the Machine (Cambridge University Press, 1996, revised for e-version 2006) by Professor Bill Hillier.

For a summary of space syntax research see: The city as one thing by Professor Bill Hillier and Professor Laura Vaughan. You might also like to view current work done at UCL in the field.

Space syntax is taught on the MSc Advanced Architectural Studies at UCL and you can find out more about self-taught tutorials and software if you go to the space syntax network pages, where you will find links to space syntax laboratories elsewhere in the world. Space syntax research is published in the Journal of Space Syntax, and also in UCL space group's own publications. and you may wish to sign up for the weekly summaries of the space syntax discussion group.