Computational Support for Architectural Design

The process of architectural design aims to define a physical form that will achieve certain functional and behavioral objectives in a particular context. It comprises three distinct, but highly interrelated, operations: (1) Definition of the desired objectives; (2) production of alternative design solutions; (3) evaluation of the expected performances of the solutions and comparing them to the predefined objectives. Design can be viewed as a process of search for the a solution that satisfies stated needs, while at the same time adapting the needs to the opportunities and limitations inherent in the emerging solution. Computational techniques have been developed to assist each one of the three operations, with varying degrees of success. We propose to integrate all three operations into one whole, by developing a computational model that will facilitate smooth transition from one operation to another. The role of computers in supporting this model will include providing a database of prototypical design objectives and solutions, storing project-specific design goals and solutions, and predicting their expected performances. This chapter discusses the rationale and background for developing such a knowledge-based design system, and presents the parameters for implementing it as a computational tool to support architectural design. Examples from a prototype implementations serve to illustrate the discussion.