Generative Architecture: What Does It Entail?

For years, architects used scripting to manipulate geometry from computers to create designs for buildings, cities or layouts. It was never easy, especially when targeting complex structures and buildings. The inefficiencies or desire for better programs have yielded the latest generative design architecture software that is revolutionizing the entire industry. Indeed, it is not just in the building and construction. Generative design has become the go-to technology in manufacturing, aerospace, auto manufacturing, and pharmaceutical equipment design. In this post, we take a closer look at generative architecture to demonstrate how it works and highlight key benefits. 

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What is Generative Architecture?

Generative design architecture is an iterative design process that involves creating multiple outputs from the same input, allowing the designer to pick the preferred option/s. The output of generative architecture can be images, animation, architectural models, and much more. The program uses advanced artificial intelligence and algorithms to make designing easy, fast and convenient. 

Designers use generative design architecture software, which serves as their assistant, meaning they can easily create new plans or layouts. Some good examples of generative architecture software options include NX, nTop Platform, Creo Generative Design and Fusion360. For example, NX from Siemens has become very common for engineers and architects because of its flexibility, ease of use, and design interoperability. 

One of the common applications of generative design is the design of the AU Las Vegas 2017 Exhibit Hall layout. You, too, can design high-end buildings and projects designs by following these steps. 

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How Does Generative Architecture Work? 

As we indicated earlier, generative design integrates AI into the design process by utilizing metaheuristic search algorithms to pick high-performance results in the available design systems. The framework is dependent on three core components, generative, geometry model, a number of metrics, and advanced search algorithms. 

Generative design (GD) application can be broken down into two main parts; pre-GD and post-generative design phase; 

Pre-Generative Design 

This phase entails closely working with stakeholders to gather unique and useful data about the project under consideration. This data is very important in informing the generative models for the building project. 

• Data Gathering 

This step involves gathering information relative to the selected project and location. In the AU Las Vegas case, some of the data collected included the design constraint to the main access point, pre-existing constraints, and access constraints. You can change these parameters depending on the building project you are handling. For example, if you are working on a new building, include lighting, area code, plot size, and corridor size, among other parameters. 

• Goal Formulation 

The second step is formulating the right goals for your project. You can do this by working with stakeholders to determine what is needed. The two main methods of goal formulation are buzz and exposure. 

Buzz is the measurement of the amount of high activity visualized for the project. You need to listen carefully to the aspirations of the client to establish what his goals are. For example, he might be interested in making his house special with modern facades, wall design and themes. So, try to get some metrics, colors and other parameters to deliver customer targets. 

You can also define the goal through exposure and creativity. For example, you might think of other buildings that are located in the neighborhood and how they are designed. So, how can you make yours better? Remember to factor the area code to avoid getting into conflict with the law. 

Post Generative Design Phase 

In this phase, the human component becomes very important. The stage can further be broken into several stages: 

• Selecting 

This entails checking subsets of various high-performance designs that were generated by the software. Remember that they are all created from the parameters and details that you added in the first phase. You might want to work with different stakeholders for the project when selecting the preferred designs. 

• Refine

After selecting the preferred design, you need to do some final refinement to ensure that all the requirements and constraints are met. For example, if the length of the selected building is not within the required constraint, consider making some adjustments. 

The good thing about refining is that you can easily pick a different design and work on it without starting the entire design process. Also, you can adjust one or multiple parameters to change the design with ease. If you are looking forward to designing a project that brings out a specific theme, this might be an excellent moment to review it. For example, if the building is aimed at having an eco-related theme, you might want to change some parameters, such as color and texture. 

Benefits of Generative Design Application

Now that we have looked at what generative architecture is, what are the associated advantages? Here are the main benefits to anticipate: 

• Generative architecture makes it pretty easy to create complex designs within a very short time. Unlike in the past, when most architects and engineers had a limited range of products they could create, generative architecture provides limitless options. 
• Using the same parameters and constraints, the generative architecture makes it possible to develop unlimited choices. This means that you do not have to go back to the drawing boards to create new designs if the one you selected is not desirable. Simply pick a different one. 
• Adjustments are automated. If you want to make changes to a design created using standard programs, the process can be lengthy and tedious. For example, if you simply adjust the length of the room for a specific building, it might require manual movement of other core components. However, generative design is different. Once you have defined the constraints, such as “changing the position of the window,” it will automatically change all other parameters. 

Generative design for architecture is the new method that helps designers to achieve what was otherwise considered unachievable. It makes designing easy, fast, convenient, and fun. Remember that you need to have the right program for generative design. It is time to unlock our full potential with generative design architecture.