Interactive Procedural Design Exploration for Modular Structures

Abstract

This thesis presents a grammar-based methodology for generating and evaluating structures that are constructed as aggregations of modular units. Using modular units as a building system can be more efficient for construction and potentially high performing structurally. Most of modular structures today are built in simple stacks which clearly advantages construction efficiency and the structural load transfer. However, other more complex configurations of modules might better address other important design factors such as daylight availability and the creative design intent of the architects. With the goal of expanding the design exploration process for modular structures, this thesis proposes a new methodology that integrates procedural design generation using shape grammars and structural performance evaluation using finite element analysis.

Algorithmically, this paper takes inspiration from recent advances in discrete modeling tools. Under the existing frameworks, aggregations can be generated following either stochastic procedures or deterministic procedures. However, using deterministic systems often yields expected results with limited diversity while using stochastic systems does not give designers direct control over the generation process. By controlling the stochasticity of the generation process based on user feedback and performance goals, the methodology proposed in this thesis generates design options that follow specific design intent yet provides unexpected results.