A Proposal for Morphological Operators to Assist Architectural Design

Abstract

enable the designer to quickly explore a great number of spatial solutions. INTRODUCTIONSince the early 80's CAD tools have provided us with a new means of graphic representation in architecture. Contrary to the usual manner in which spatial forms are represented in a 2D "glance" [in sections, elevations and 3D model "constructed" by the computer. Admitting that graphic figuration plays a key role in architecture (Lebahar, 1983) (Boudon et al., 1994) these recent developments constitute an important milestone in the practice of conceptualisation. In fact today's computer techniques provide architecture with a unique opportunity for "retooling" and "re-thinking" its methodologies just as happened with the arrival of perspectives and stereometric projections. 3D model software [Catia, Maya, etc.] In this paper, we make the assumption that a shape modelling process can rely on the application of a set of morphological operators to initial shapes. We refer to several researches which have attempted to identify such operators. We also attempt to validate this design approach through the analysis of some buildings. A design system based on the combination of these operators could

The Process and Operations of Shape Generation and Manipulation during the Architectural Designing Activity

“…He argues that a design system, based on the combination of these operators, allows the designer to quickly explore a large number of spatial solutions. He claims that the process of creating architectural forms is based on the application of a set of morphological operators to initial forms (Wetzel et al, 2006). Operators such as: Bend, Twist, Crease, Wave, ...…”

“…He defined three types of transformations namely: dimensional, subtractive and additive transformations (Ching, 2007). Wetzel (2006) suggests that the work of Francis D. K. Ching (2007) on architectural forms allows us to identify two main strategies of shape generation, and possibly two main classes of operators, known as the "transformation by composition" and the "transformation by metamorphosis", respectively represented by a lobster and a slug. These classes are related to the visual and compositional properties of the form defined by Ching (2007).…”

“…This path is made by numerous back and forth and important variations between different states of the shape, that makes it an iterative and parametric process. This process of creation of the architectural form is based on the application of a set of morphological operators to the initial forms (Wetzel et al, 2006). These operators are formalized according to shape rules, which explicitly describe the links between the sketches and allow a better understanding of the sketching activity in design (Prats et al, 2009).…”

“…Architectural design is now a privileged research subject, as shown by the number and the diversity of publications on this topic (Terzidis, 1989;Göel, 1995;Rodgers et al, 2000;De Biasi, 2000;Wetzel et al, 2006;Suwa et al, 2006;Arrouf, 2006;Lim et al, 2008;Prats et al, 2008;2009). These works show that architectural design is a multi-phase process.…”

Specification and Implementation of a Folding Parametric Operator to Assist Architectural Conception at the Drafting Stage

“…In earlier work [1], we have assumed that the genesis of these forms results from successive operations of processing forms. These operations have semantic targets and are guided by one or more mental image(s) [2,3,4].…”