The research paper titled "Applications of Generative Design in Architectural Design" was completed during the academic year 2023-2024 by student Apostolos Mardyris, under the supervision of Professor Vassilis Bourdakis.
The paper focuses on the automation in architectural design, emphasizing generative design systems and their capabilities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the design process. The research begins with a review of the historical development of computational approaches in architectural design, from initial analog methods without computers, through batch data processing, to modern applications involving machine intelligence and real-time communication.
Different schools of thought and historical examples, such as the German Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm, which contributed to the development of fundamental analog computational methods, are analyzed. Modern generative design systems are based on techniques like shape grammars, genetic algorithms, and cellular automata, allowing the creation of multiple design solutions through algorithmic processes. These methods enable the production of designs that avoid monotony and uniformity.
Subsequently, a comparison of the aforementioned design techniques is conducted. Each method starts from a finite set of elements and rules but differs in the way the design outcome is produced and the characteristics of the generated results. The comparison is made based on technical and design criteria, such as the elements and rules used, constraints, designer involvement, and result predictability.
Overall, the paper explores these techniques with a view to integrating them into the design process, which can improve efficiency and offer innovative approaches to architectural design, providing new possibilities for contemporary architectural practice.