Lateral Information Flow in Built Environments

Concept

This tool models how physical workspace design influences the informal exchange of knowledge between colleagues—what organizational theorists call lateral information flow. Unlike formal communication channels, lateral flow emerges organically from proximity, chance encounters, and spatial configuration.

Drawing Tools

▬ Wall

Physical barriers that impede both movement and information transfer. Information can still "leak" through walls at a rate controlled by the permeability parameter.

⊡ Door

Openings in walls that restore full connectivity. Agents can pass through doors, and information flows unimpeded.

◻ Desk

Workstations that exert a mild gravitational pull on nearby agents, simulating how people tend to remain near their assigned seats while still allowing occasional movement.

● Agent

Knowledge carriers. Each agent holds an "information level" (0–1) that diffuses to nearby agents over time.

◎ Hub

Collaboration zones (kitchens, lounges, meeting areas). Amplifies information transfer between agents within the zone by 50%.

✕ Erase

Remove any element by clicking near it.

Parameters

Diffusion Constant

Base rate of information transfer between adjacent agents. Higher values mean faster knowledge spread.

Interaction Radius

Maximum distance at which agents can exchange information. Simulates the range of casual conversation.

Wall Permeability

How much information "leaks" through solid walls (0 = fully opaque, 0.5 = half transfer rate). Models overhearing, shared ventilation, or visual contact through glass.

Agent Mobility

How much agents wander. Higher mobility increases chance encounters but may fragment stable clusters.

Metrics

Network Connectivity

Proportion of possible agent pairs that can interact (accounting for distance and walls). Higher values indicate more integrated workspaces.

Diffusion Rate

Current rate of total information change across the network. Spikes after injection, then decays.

Information Entropy

Measures how evenly distributed knowledge is. Low entropy means information is concentrated; high entropy means uniform distribution.

Clustering Coefficient

Degree to which agents form tightly-knit groups. High clustering can accelerate local diffusion but impede organization-wide flow.

Interpretation

Watch how different layouts affect information spread: open plans show rapid, uniform diffusion; private offices create isolated pockets; hybrid layouts balance privacy with serendipitous exchange. The simulation illustrates why spatial design is a strategic choice with measurable consequences for organizational learning.