Graph Database Modelling on Malay Architecture IFC Data

Abstract

Architecture is the manifestation of society and its cultural practice. Preserving the architecture is an important thing
that must be done both physically and digitally. One of the architectural cultures that must be preserved is Malay
architecture. A method to preserve Malay architecture is to model it in the form of a graph database. Graph
databases have shown excellent capabilities in understanding and accessing complex and rich datasets in many
different domains. In this study, a graph database was modelled on the Malay architecture's Industry Foundation
Classes (IFC) data. The methodologies used in this study were: (1) generate Malay architecture's IFC from Building
information modelling (BIM) software; (2) Parse IFC; (3) IFC meta-data graph modelling; and (4) IFC object graph
modelling. The expected result of this research is a graph database modelling which will be developed further by
defining queries to solve problems of Malay architectural models.