Shape Grammars Research Articles

A shape grammar-based design for modular buildings based on the Vitruvian triad: The case of Mächtig Kiosk K67

The kiosk K67 is a known example of mass-produced modular architecture designed in the 60s. Although these modules allow many design solutions, the designer Saša Mächtig did not guide the generation of such designs so that the final composition of elements could fit a specific design purpose. This study has two aims. The first is the development of a shape grammar for the kiosk K67, which enables a deep analysis and synthesis of this paradigmatic design. The study’s second aim is to combine the kiosk K67 shape grammar with design principles to guide the generation of design solutions. To do so, the Vitruvian triad dimensions – firmitas, utilitas and venustas – are combined with the developed kiosk K67 shape grammar to generate design solutions based on specific design briefs. The study identifies how each dimension of the triad can impact architecture and then correlates these impacts with the kiosk K67 shape rules. Finally, shape grammar and design alternatives are presented. Each Vitruvian dimension is taken with different priorities in the design alternatives to test the concept. Such an approach enables us not just to analyse the design of Mächtig but also to use the developed shape grammar in a pedagogical way to explore how balancing design principles and constraints impact design outcomes.

Digital preservation of heritage urban facades: An integrated approach using historic building information modeling and shape grammar analysis

Traditional heritage architecture is renowned for its unique characteristics, which are shaped by local climatic, social, and construction requirements, as well as specific architectural styles that contribute to a sense of identity and place. Preserving the aesthetic and cognitive values inherent in traditional styles poses a significant challenge compared to other tangible assets. However, the digitization of built heritage offers a proactive approach to conservation. In this regard, the management of heritage building information through Building Information Modeling (BIM) plays a crucial role in preventive conservation. The utilization of multi-dimensional digital information models, known as Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM), is one such approach. This study aims to explore the application of HBIM in representing built heritage, focusing specifically on the research gap pertaining to the need for an effective and integrated methodology for modeling information related to heritage urban facades. The objective is to generate parametric models within the framework of HBIM information management, thereby contributing to preventive preservation mechanisms. The methodology employed in this study consists of two main parts. Firstly, information is derived by analyzing the structural characteristics of heritage facades using Shape Grammar. Secondly, the acquired information is utilized to develop a comprehensive library of HBIM for heritage architectural elements. The results of this study demonstrate the proposed methodology's effectiveness in determining heritage urban facades' morphological, mathematical, relational, and Euclidean characteristics.

Benefits derived from WASP (a Grasshopper plugin) to Design for Disassembly Principles in the Built Environment

Abstract Design for Disassembly (DfD, henceforth) is a way to improve the effectiveness of the disassembly process in built environments, and it mainly contains ten principles. Examples of the principles include deconstruction techniques; selected materials; reachable connections; utilizing connections with fewer bolts, screws, and nails; the straightforwardness of the structure and design; and versatility. On the other hand, the WASP plugin for Grasshopper (on Rhinocheros©) is a toolkit for discrete computational design to simulate the aggregation and assembly possibilities in the building system. This paper explores the integration of the WASP plugin within the context of DfD through three criteria: the aggregation processes of part geometries, connection locations, and their orientation toward the building elements. Design with discrete elements, which can be defined as shape grammars for building structure, is the primary approach for the joining behavior and detaching behavior of elements discussed in this paper. Also, this type of component-based design can optimize the geometry and data-driven generation of the structure. The design process in this way can be disassembly sequence planning and knowledge-based design by applying the design constraints. To illustrate the integration, research is conducted through WASP simulation in designing a traditional Iranian timber pavilion-inspired structure with a 3×3m footprint in a roof structure. The fusion of WASP and DfD represents a promising avenue for advancing circular design principles and achieving more sustainable, resource-efficient buildings. It is concluded from this study that WASP makes the aggregation simulation and assembly possibilities of the vertical and horizontal components in a building more accessible.

A comprehensive literature review and bibliometric analysis on shape grammar theory and applications in architecture

Shape Grammar is a systematic tool used in the logical argumentive method in research for interpreting spatial design and activities. Shape grammar applies a group of shape rules in stages to create a set or a language of design. Researchers worldwide have used this method in various fields including architecture, arts, graphical design, and pattern recognition. Even in the case of architecture, researchers worldwide have implemented the shape grammar method to analyze patterns in various architectural fields. This study analyzed publication trends in the shape grammar domain using “Bibliometrix”, an open-source tool that uses the R package. Research papers from the Web of Science and Scopus (WoS) database were identified and assessed in terms of annual publication trends, contributions of various authors, countries, citation counts of authors, universities, popular keywords, journal trends, etc. A comprehensive literature review of all relevant research papers available in the WoS and Scopus academic databases on shape grammar and its application in architecture was also conducted as part of this study. The research paper concludes with the possible research opportunities in the domain of shape grammar.

Computers as co-creative assistants. A comparative study on the use of text-to-image AI models for computer aided conceptual design

This preliminary research presents a comparative study between Text-to-Image AI models and Shape Grammars, one of the main generative approaches to Computer Aided Conceptual Design. The goal is to determine to which extent AI models can reproduce or complement the performance of grammar algorithms as creative support tools for shape exploration in conceptual product design. Workflows, advantages and limitations are identified through a comprehensive practical comparison example. The results show many similarities regarding generative capabilities and highlight several advantages of Text-to-Image AI models, including an easier way of capturing product grammars and a wider and more immediate range of further applications. In contrast, Shape Grammars approach proved more solid in aspects related to exploration workflows and cognitive stimulation. These results encourage the research on new ways to address the interaction between designers and AI generative models, combining the AI potential with well-established generative strategies.

An AI-Powered Product Identity Form Design Method Based on Shape Grammar and Kansei Engineering: Integrating Midjourney and Grey-AHP-QFD

Product Identity (PI) is a strategic instrument for enterprises to forge brand strength through New Product Development (NPD). Concurrently, facing increasingly fierce market competition, the NPD for consumer emotional requirements (CRs) has become a significant objective in enterprise research and development (R&D). The design of new product forms must ensure the continuity of PI and concurrently address the emotional needs of users. It demands a high level of experience from designers and significant investment in R&D. To solve this problem, a generative and quantitative design method powered by AI, based on Shape Grammar (SG) and Kansei Engineering (KE), is proposed. The specific method is as follows: Firstly, representative products for Morphological Analysis (MA) are selected, SG is applied to establish initial shapes and transformation rules, and prompts are input into Midjourney. This process generates conceptual sketches and iteratively refines them, resulting in a set of conceptual sketches that preserve the PI. Secondly, a web crawler mines online reviews to extract Kansei words. Factor Analysis (FA) clusters them into Kansei factors, and the Grey Analytic Hierarchy Process (G-AHP) calculates their grey weights. Thirdly, after analyzing the PI conceptual sketches for feature extraction, the features are integrated with CRs into the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) matrix. Experts evaluate the relationships using interval grey numbers, calculating the optimal ranking of PI Engineering Characteristics (PIECs). Finally, professional designers refine the selected sketches into 3D models and detailed designs. Using a Chinese brand as a case study, we have designed a female electric moped (E-moped) to fit the PI and users’ emotional needs. Through a questionnaire survey on the design scheme, we argue that the proposed innovative method is efficient, applicable, and effective in balancing the product form design of PI and user emotions.

From theory to practice: Truchet tile as a computational visual coding approach for facade visualization

The study presents unique teaching approach for generating a parametric modular facade fabrication for first-year students in visual design module using a computational visual coding method based on Truchet Tiles. The method followed four main phases: exploring tiling, testing connectivity, fabrication, and assembly. Shape grammar was considered during the design principles implementation to respond to climatic behavior. Space-filling shapes method known as the “Generalized Abeille Tiles” was followed to ensure tiling connectivity. The experimentation involves manual folding techniques without any software. A survey was conducted among first-year and fourth-year students post-introduction to computational software. The results showed a wide range of alternative geometries with different self-shading patterns generated. It highlighted that facade fabrication aided students in comprehending computational logic, easing the understanding of computational software complexity. This pilot study emphasizes the effectiveness of teaching computational concepts in early curricula.

An innovative application of diagonal ridge elements of classical Suzhou-style buildings to furniture design based on Kansei engineering and shape grammar

This paper proposes a furniture design method combining Kansei engineering (KE) and shape grammar (SG), to explore how the diagonal ridge elements of classical Suzhou-style buildings can be applied to furniture design and to explain how the styling elements match the cultural imagery in furniture products. Suzhou-style armchairs and cultural elements of diagonal ridges were collected, the most suitable armchairs were selected for incorporating such elements, and their shapes were deconstructed along with characteristic interpretations. A factor bank of diagonal ridge elements was constructed, first through Kansei word selection and evaluation experiments, and then through factor analysis which determined the main cultural elements of the design. The shape grammar theory was applied to design and innovate the selected armchair samples, achieving three design solutions. The solutions were then comprehensively evaluated, and the optimal one was used for the final physical product. The results of the study showed that users had clear subjective feelings about the design incorporating diagonal ridge elements, with their Kansei on three aspects: aesthetic style, decorative complexity, and structural balance. The approach used in this work blends furniture products with cultural imagery on diagonal ridges, providing a feasible methodological reference and an empirical case for cultural sustainability through furniture design.

형상 문법에 기반한 징더전 청화백자 문화상품 디자인

형상 문법에 기반한 징더전 청화백자 문화상품 디자인

Shape grammars in Environment and Planning B

Shape grammars in Environment and Planning B

AI for conceptual architecture: Reflections on designing with text-to-text, text-to-image, and image-to-image generators

In this paper we present a research-through-design study where we employed text-to-text, text-to-image, and image-to-image generative tools for a conceptual architecture project for the eVolo skyscraper competition. We trained these algorithms on a dataset that we collected and curated, consisting of texts about and images of architecture. We describe our design process, present the final proposal, reflect on the usefulness of such tools for early-stage design, and discuss implications for future research and practice. By analysing the results from training the text-to-text generators we could establish a specific design brief that informed the final concept. The results from the image-to-image generator gave an overview of the shape grammars of previous submissions. All results were intriguing and can assist creativity and in this way, the tools were useful for gaining insight into historical architectural data, helped shape a specific design brief, and provoked new ideas. By reflecting on our design process, we argue that the use of language when employing such tools takes a new role and that three layers of language intertwined in our work: architectural discourse, programming languages, and annotations. We present a map that unfolds how these layers came together as a contribution to making machine learning more explainable for creatives.

Productive Facade Studies With Rule-Based Design: Ankara Çınar Street Sampling

The architectural design process, which has a multi-component structure, is redefined with technological up-to-date systems in addition to the unchanging basic design principles in the face of changing needs. This change in the design process, with the inclusion of computer-aided productive approaches in the process, provides original and alternative design outputs in architectural formation. In this study, house facades were analyzed with the shape grammar, which is the rule-based analysis method of the detached house pattern in Ankara, Yenimahalle Çınar Street, which has survived to the present day. This detached house pattern, designed in 1948 and after, reflects the cultural, economic, and aesthetic features of the period. It is valuable in these respects and is the first modern construction study in the history of the Republic of Turkey. Although few examples remain today, they are rapidly replaced by high-rise residences. These newly constructed high-rise buildings do not provide a linguistic unity with the texture of the environment. For the sustainability of Çınar Street’s architectural values, it is of great importance to determine this grammar and to take it into practice with new technologies. In this study, detached houses on Çınar Street are discussed in the context of architectural language, and the rules of formation are determined. The facades, whose architectural form was determined, were tried to be reproduced using the same rules by computer-aided design. The study aims to be a reference for the facade designs of new high-rise residences and to maintain the urban texture by preserving it. In this context, it will contribute to architectural and social sustainability in today’s architecture and designs made using advanced technology.

Research on the extraction of RMB decorative pattern configuration and its innovative design: Analysis based on OpenCV calculator visual library and shape grammars

Relevance. The study addresses the potential application of configuration rules in creating decorative designs for RMB, focusing on improving design aesthetics and functionality. Purpose. To analyze the feasibility of using configuration rules to enhance the design of Chinese currency. Methodology. The study involved the analysis and synthesis of decorative patterns, the establishment of configuration rules, and the examination of their application in currency design. Results. The findings demonstrate that configuration rules can effectively utilize existing patterns to improve Chinese currency design, providing opportunities for new design variations that align with modern aesthetic and functional requirements. The analysis revealed that Chinese currency patterns often embody cultural significance, historical events, and characters through complex geometric and abstract elements. Key features of the patterns were identified, highlighting the potential for more efficient use of configuration rules in design. Conclusions. Configuration rules can successfully organize and enhance the decorative patterns in the Chinese currency. The study confirms the feasibility of applying these rules to create cohesive and culturally rich designs. Additionally, the integration of configuration rules can streamline the design process and ensure consistency in aesthetic quality. Keywords: computer technology; image processing; syntactic structure extraction; monetary unit

‘The International Style’ multilingual three-dimensional grammar and hybrid designs

The present paper describes a multilingual shape grammar to recreate the work of three designers that preconized the ‘International Style’. This is a top-down three-dimensional formulation. Whilst most grammars are monolingual and univocal, this work creates a multilingual formulation within the same artistic movement. Typically, a grammar describes a family of design solutions. These are helpful mechanisms to describe patterns that can be used for analysis or design exploration. This multilingual three-dimensional parametric grammar allows the independent recreation of original designs from three designers and hybrid solutions. Shape grammar's difficult application can be linked to its evaluation process. The original contribution of the study lies in the use of quantitative and qualitative methods for grammar evaluation, using Principal Components Analysis and user questionnaires. The PCA provides a pragmatic analysis, and the questionnaires an intuitive reading. Together they corroborate the results which are discussed using hybrids that assist in delineating parametric spaces.

Strategies for applying shape grammar to wooden furniture design: Taking traditional Chinese Ming-style recessed-leg table as an example

This paper uses shape grammar to conduct strategic research and innovative translation of existing wooden furniture designs. A traditional Chinese Ming-style recessed-leg table was used as an example to demonstrate its feasibility. The paper applies biological DNA genetic information to furniture products, and combines shape grammar to evolve and mutate them, thereby creating new forms of wooden furniture that maintain the original genes. A DNA gene pool of recessed-leg table was constructed, and an architectural queti replacement pool was constructed based on the rules of shape grammar as backup for subsequent experiments to replace part of the designed genes of the recessed-leg table. Shape grammar was used to deduce the recessed-leg table and generate three plans. A consumer questionnaire was established through the semantic differential method. After evaluating these three design plans, an optimal plan that meets market demand was selected, and modeling, rendering, and concept elaboration were performed. Finally, the paper takes Ming-style recessed-leg table as an example to demonstrate that it is effective and feasible to use shape grammar to guide the design and research of domestic wooden furniture.

Shape grammars and self-built refugee communities: The transformation from tent shelter to customized structure in Irbid Camp

This paper presents research on design challenges in protracted refugee camps, where “temporary” shelters undergo informal transformations, becoming long-term homes and establishing communities. We develop a shape grammar to investigate this phenomenon, focusing on the evolution of refugee housing units in the Irbid Camp in Jordan from the emergency to the transitional and permanent phases. Our parametric shape grammar analyzes and describes the physical characteristics of these units, revealing their dynamic nature. The corpus of the grammar includes 10 diverse housing units that provide a range of insights and opportunities for refugee housing design and planning. The grammar builds a foundation for developing design solutions that mediate transformations and address long-term implications for sustainable and adaptive environments to anticipate self-build processes and better support evolving resident needs in housing layouts.

Use of artificial neural networks in architecture: determining the architectural style of a building with a convolutional neural networks

AbstractThe discussion of "can machines think?" which started with the invention of the modern computer, brought along the question of "can machines design?" by researchers in the design field. These developments in information technologies have also affected the architecture. Artificial intelligence applications are encountered in many areas such as pricing estimation, energy conservation security systems of buildings, ventilation systems, user-oriented interactive design solutions, computer-aided programs used in the plan production phase and design process. When the literature on artificial intelligence applications in the architecture is reviewed, it can be seen that it generally includes shape grammars, graph theory, decision trees, constraint-based models, machine learning methods, RNN (Recursive Neural Networks), CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) and GAN (Generative Adversarial Network) algorithms. In this study, the use of artificial intelligence algorithms in architecture was examined, and an example was designed to determine the architectural structures of different periods by using CNN (Convolutional Neural Network). In the study, the open source TensorFlow library developed by Google and the Python programming language were used. Employing a statistical approach and utilizing convolutional neural networks (CNNs), a study has successfully classified the current flow patterns of buildings based on datasets comprising facades of Gothic, Modern, and Deconstructivist architectural styles. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of CNNs in accurately distinguishing the intricate details of diverse architectural styles. Recognizing elements from different periods using the CNN algorithm can examine not only individual buildings but also the relationship of buildings with their environments. It can also gain an important place in the field of conservation of the architectural discipline. The historical processes, aesthetic features and changes of protected buildings can be learned with the CNN algorithm and can guide restoration decisions. As a result of the study, the employed CNN-based model can correctly classify structures with 84.66% accuracy rate.

An Improved Shape Annealing Algorithm for the Generation of Coated Deoxyribonucleic Acid Origami Nanostructures

Abstract In recent years, the field of structural DNA nanotechnology has advanced rapidly due to transformative design tools. Although these tools have been revolutionary, they still bear one overall limitation of requiring users to fully conceptualize their designs before designing. Recently, a simple computational casting technique was developed using generative optimization strategies to automate the DNA origami nanostructure design. This approach employs a shape annealing algorithm, which creates a formal language of honeycomb nanostructures with shape grammars and drives designs from the language toward a desired configuration using simulated annealing. This initial demonstration of the approach can generate novel scaffold routing schemes for creating solid or hollow structures constrained by the boundaries of polyhedral meshes. The results from the initial approach, particularly from the hollow structures, reveal a challenging design space. This simple technique generates novel scaffold routing schemes that do not replicate the overall polyhedral mesh shape and are limited in their ability to control scaffold path exploration in the design space. This paper demonstrates an approach for achieving different levels of consistent effective wall thicknesses and improving the quality of mesh coverage for hollow structures that can be tuned and optimized by introducing a more refined computational casting technique. We achieve these improvements through changes in the simulated annealing algorithm by adding a Hustin move set algorithm that dynamically adjusts the performance of the overall design and redefining how these hollow designs are articulated. This work illustrates how the technique can navigate a challenging design space to generate effective hollow designs.

Explaining a Jewelry Design Process: Using a generative Design Method Called Shape Grammars and Producing the Product with 3D Printing

Explaining a Jewelry Design Process: Using a generative Design Method Called Shape Grammars and Producing the Product with 3D Printing

Research on the Application of Cement Tile Patterns Based on Shape Grammar

The current derivation and application of traditional culture lack a scientific procedural method, and the existing processes are overly cumbersome and complex. The transformation of flat patterns requires manual modeling by professional product designers, resulting in low efficiency, especially when dealing with intricate patterns. To address these issues, this paper takes Xiamen cement encaustic tiles as an example and establishes a standardized process from the extraction of cultural elements to the 3D printing of physical products. Additionally, a one-click transformation plugin from flat patterns to three-dimensional models is developed based on the QT framework and Grasshopper platform. This plugin utilizes an edge recognition algorithm to identify the transformed patterns as editable NURBS curves. The curves are then converted into surfaces using the plugin’s modeling functionality before being encapsulated. With the encapsulated plugin, users only need to input a PNG image of the desired pattern and the basic model of the desired product to obtain a product with the structural features of the specified pattern. This research aids product designers in quickly extracting the most distinctive features, significantly accelerating the development speed of cultural and creative product transformations, improving production efficiency. The simplified operational process enables more people to participate in the design of cultural and creative products, promoting the dissemination and integration of traditional culture with modern technology.