Computational Implementation of a Tool for Generative Design of High-rise Residential Building Facades

We propose a computational design tool that aims to provide more variety to the design of high-rise residential building facades. In contemporary cities, the pressure to build many high-rise residential buildings leaves little time to focus on facade design, resulting in repetitive facades that impart a monotonous appearance to cities. We propose a computational tool that can help to improve facade variety, based on shape grammars and parametric modeling. Shape grammars are used to analyze facade composition and to structure design knowledge. Subsequently, the grammars are converted into parametric models, which are implemented using the Python programming language that can be used to generate designs in CAD software. The resulting tool encodes a general parametric model that manipulates the rules of formal composition of building facades. Without limitations from software, the program takes advantage of the high-processing power of the computer to provide many design solutions from which architects can choose.