Symmetry-based generative design: A teaching experiment

Abstract

Throughout history, symmetry has been widely explored as a geometric strategy to conceive architectural forms and spaces. Nonetheless, its concept has changed and expanded overtime, and its design exploration does not mean anymore the generation of simple and predictable solutions. By framing in history this idea, the present paper discusses the relevance of exploring symmetry in architectural design today, by means of computational design and fabrication processes. It confirms the emergence of a renewed interest in the topic based on two main ideas: On the one hand, symmetry-based design supports the generation of unique and apparent complex solutions out of simple geometric rules, in a bottom-up fashion. On the other hand, despite this intricacy, it assures modularity in the design components, which can bring benefits at the construction level. As the background for testing and illustrating its theoretical arguments, this paper describes the work produced in the Constructive Geometry course at FAUP.