Taxonomy v ontology
A taxonomy is a system for classifying entities within a domain into a hierarchical structure. For example, a folder system for files on a computer. Whilst there might be more than one way of classifying the folders (for example, by date or by type), taxonomies do not consider the relationships between those classifications.
An ontology defines a set of concepts that represent a domain, describing the interrelationships between entities in more than one dimension.
Smart Building Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, published by the RIBA in 2024, states: ‘An Ontology is a way to describe things and the relationship between things. Ontology, in layman’s terms, is the classification of entities by defining a set of concepts through which they can be classified and showing the relationships between them. Similarly, within smart buildings ontologies are used to link data, connect entities, and understand their relationships. (Haystack, Brick Schema, Digital Building Ontology, RealEstateCore etc.) An example – whilst penguins and song birds are very different, they can both be identified as bird relatives by their wings, beak and feathers.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Why being a mentor can help your career.
Channel 4 broadcaster to host 125th anniversary ceremony.
Listed structures on the rail network
Heritage interests and operational requirements must be balanced.
Historic England publishes research into embodied carbon when retrofitting traditional buildings.
New Prime Minister delivers on ECA call for cut in electricity costs.
CIOB reacts to the announcement of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
Heritage and conservation science workforce survey - Have your say.
England's Suburbs 1820-2020. Book review.
New, more proportionate and targeted approach for higher-risk building assessments.
Government brings British Steel into public ownership.
UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus.
New guidance published on competence requirements for self-certification schemes.