The LaHave House Project: Towards an Automated Architectural Design Service

Abstract

The LaHave House Project explores the creation of an automated architectural design service based on an industrial design approach to architecture in which Architects design families of similarly structured objects, rather than individual ones. Our current system consists of three software components: 1) A design engine that uses shape grammars to generate a library of preliminary level house designs, 2) A design development tool that permits end-users to selected, customize and visualize designs drawn from the library and 3) A building systems configuration tool that transforms customized designs into working/assembly drawings. Our aim is to generate modern realizable houses that combine beautiful forms with a modern approach to space planning. We are currently completing an integrated online prototype that allows end-users to select, customize and visualization generated house designs over the Internet in 3D, using a Java/VRML based design development tool.