In the article the variant of forming the technology of direct design (topological optimization) of construction objects is considered. The basis of its procedures are the criteria for rationalization of design parameters, which are based on the study of transformations of potential strain energy and density of potential strain energy during the restructuring of the system structure. The composition of the sequence of actions in the variant design, the formation of the image of the structure, as well as in the assessment of the virtual forecast and features of the destruction of the structural system is indicated. Algorithmization of the method is indicated when considering the technology of designing rods, plates and shells. The mentioned examples show the procedure for creating elements with complex internal geometry. The results of topological optimization are tested by comparing with known solutions. Examples of the use of the obtained results in the practice of design and construction of a number of objects are given. Taking into account the synergetic essence of the method, the own interpretation of the progressive collapse and the algorithm for determining its possible manifestation by calculation are given.