Grammatical Representations for Evolutionary Design
The natural process of biological evolution has served as a significant source of inspiration in the development of powerful problem solving tools by Computer Scientists. In particular, much success has been enjoyed through the application of these Evolutionary Algorithms to Design (e.g. analog circuits, music, graphic art and animation etc) through an artificial survival of the fittest process. This Evolutionary approach to Design has resulted in the most successful form of Artificial Intelligence to date, by routinely providing human-competitive and in some cases patentable design solutions. In this research we investigate the application of a powerful and novel Evolutionary Algorithm, Grammatical Evolution, developed in Ireland to the area of Architectural Design. Science Foundation Ireland are funding two PhD studentships on this project under a Research Frontiers award.
   

A Grammatical Approach to the Evolutionary Exploration of Architectural Form
In collaboration with the UCD School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering (Elizabeth Shotton and Ciaran McNally) we are investigating the use of Grammatical Evolution for the exploration of advanced architectural forms. This evolutionary approach to design will support a more critical and informed use of local resources within the building industry by structuring closer links between the conceptual design process and the material/environmental imperatives. We wish to evolve the design of advanced architectural form through consideration of structural, material and constructional issues. This research is being undertaken in the NCRA located in UCD CASL (Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory) by Michael O'Neill and Anthony Brabazon in collaboration with Elizabeth Shotton and Ciaran McNally of the UCD School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering through the support of a UCD Research Seed Grant. The main outcome of this project has been the successful proposal to Science Foundation Ireland Grammatical Representations for Evolutionary Design (details above).