Usability of contemporary tools for the computational design of architectural objects: Review, features evaluation and reflection

Abstract

This article is an overview focused on functionality and usability of selected contemporary approaches for the computational floor plan generation of architectural objects. This article describes current solutions for generative architectural design and focuses on their usability from the point of view of architectural design practice. Recent research papers and prototypes, as well as the most important tools (selected computer-aided design and BIM software) for generative design from the architectural perspective, are described. The functionalities and level of usability of present-day software and prototypes are described. In addition, the descriptive review of the research prototypes architectural design outcomes is present. Furthermore, the survey among active architects regarding the usage of computational tools in the professional practice and possible guidelines for the development of such tools are present. This article summarises with the conclusion about the current state of generative floor plan design tools, the lack of fully functional and developed commercial tools of this type on the market and future directions for the development of generative floor plans tools.

Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithm applied to Automated Floor Plan Generation

“…The AFPG problem described in this article enables the exploration of architectural design space through the generation of architectural floor plans that meet certain specific design criteria. Similar approaches/ problems-a recent survey in Nisztuk and Myszkowski 12 -can be found in the literature.…”

“…A closer analysis and reviews can be found at Nisztuk and Myszkowski. 12 These applications can generally be divided into several groups enclosed in two main categories: with predetermined floor boundary outline, without the specified layout boundary envelope.…”

“…The algorithm formally works as follows initializes the position of first room (lines 6-7) in the middle of the flat layout. Next, the first room in SEQ is localized (line 9) and then its neighbors (rooms that have a connection in canon user preferences, see lines [11][12]. Then, already placed rooms are removed from SEQ queue.…”

Progress and Challenges in Generative Product Design: A Review of Systems

“…Interest grew in the use of SGs to formalize the important aesthetic issue of brand identity so that generated product designs would conform to it. In 2002, a 12-rule shape grammar was devised to capture the essence of Dove soap [19,43]. Two iconic vehicles, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle [7] and Buick car [44] were modeled using grammars of 45 and 63 rules, respectively.…”

“…Since a product can be anything manufactured by an enterprise for sale to customers [17], it is clear that this is a significant application area, as borne out by the fact that in the US alone, the 2019 consumer goods market had an estimated worth of $655 billion [18]. Review papers exist for architectural GD systems (e.g., [19,20]) but there are none specifically for product design. The current paper aims to address this.…”