Genetic Algorithms in Architecture

Genetic Algorithms in Architecture: a Necessity or a Trend? Eleftheria Fasoulaki Master of Science in Architecture, Computation Group Department of Architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Email: efasarch@mit.edu Abstract Genetic Algorithms (GAs), a computational technique based on the principles of evolution, have been recently introduced in architecture to address problems of complexity in the function and the form of architectural projects. While there has been an increasing interest in the use of GAs in architecture, there has not yet been a systematic study of the operation of GAs and their application in architecture yet. This paper investigates whether the utilization of GAs is a necessity or a trend; whether GAs are used to accommodate specific needs of architecture or merely to

bear innovative and complex forms; and consequently whether GAs serve reality or utopia. In order to answer these questions, the paper examines the operation of GAs in other disciplines and in architecture as well as the implications of its applications in architecture. Finally, the paper demonstrates the premises for a successful operation of GAs in architecture. Introduction Since the 1990’s a shift has been noticed in the way avant-garde architects have used new technologies of evolutionary biology to address or depict the increased complexity that is noticed in today’s architecture. Indeed, the layer of complexity that is introduced cannot be resolved by conventional design methods. Likewise, the quantity of information and the level of complexity involved in most building projects surpass designers’ abilities to thoroughly comprehend and predict them. Genetic Algorithms (GAs), among many other evolutionary techniques, have been used in architecture as optimization tools or as form-generation tools. In the former, GAs address well-defined building problems, such as structural and mechanical. Genetic Algorithms are used as stochastic methods for solving optimization and search problems, operating on a population of possible solutions. Hereafter, this utilization of GAs is addressed as “necessity”. In the later utilization, GAs are used under the scope of the concept of emergence. Genetic Algorithms are used to produce innovative representations and descriptions of processes by which emergent structures, often with tremendous complexity, are derived. Hereafter, this utilization of GAs is addressed as “trend”. While the interest in the use of GAs in architecture is increasing, no systematic investigation of the operation of GAs has yet been performed. The goal of this paper is to investigate whether the use of GAs is a necessity or a trend; whether GAs are used to accommodate specific needs of architecture or merely to bear innovative and complex forms; and consequently whether GAs are used to serve the architecture of a real world or abstract shapes of a conceptual world. To answer these questions I will examine how GAs are used in other disciplines compared to architecture so as to come to a conclusion whether architecture can adopt this process. If so, I will inquire whether GAs can be used in every phase of the design process or if their characteristics constrain their utilization to a very specific phase. Finally, I will investigate whether GAs’ utilization have changed the conventional design process or the role of architects. This study is divided...

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