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 and news
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.