Reshaping design search spaces for efficient computational design optimization in architecture

This paper focuses on the use of using appropriate parametric modelling approaches for computational design optimization in architecture. In many cases, architects do not apply appropriate parametric modelling approaches to describe their design concepts, and as a result, the design search space defined by the parametric model can be problematic. This can further make it difficult for the computational optimization process to produce optimized designs. As a result, the design search space needs to be reshaped in order to allow the computational design optimization process to fully exploit the potential of the design concept on improving the design quality. In this paper, we identify two common types of inappropriate modelling approaches. The first one is related to the design search space that lacks proper constraints, and the second is related to the design search space fixed by the conventional design knowledge. Two case studies are presented to exemplify these two types of inappropriate parametric modelling approaches and demonstrate how these approaches can undermine the utility of computational design optimization.