Computer-Aided Shape-Grammar-Based Style Editor for Architectural Design

Computer applications in design communication and visualization are well established. For the past forty years, they have helped transform traditional drafting methods into dynamic, interactive, and efficient processes. However, their use in design manipulation in architecture remains relatively underexplored. Within this domain, software tools that enable architects to develop and refine aesthetic, formal, and stylistic representational aspects of design emerge as vital components of digital design-aid workflows. Such tools are expected to integrate computational power, parametric modeling, generative process, and interactive visualization technologies to support iterative stylistic decision-making that shapes architectural outcomes. This article introduces a theoretical framework for a style editor of architectural compositions. It is based on a linguistic paradigm and uses shape grammar principles. To test its applicability, the framework is translated into basic computer-aided code. To illustrate the code, examples of its interface and applications in architectural design are provided. These are discussed to demonstrate the feasibility of the framework and its associated code, and to highlight their strengths and limitations.