Style and Type in a Generic Shape Grammar The Case of Multipurpose Chairs

Abstract

Generic grammars are a means to describe and generate designs in different domains with different abstraction levels. Simple mechanisms can generate a complex variety of solutions within different types, among a coherence of similar styles. This paper describes the process of defining a generic grammar for wood frame multipurpose chair design from two specific grammars that define individual styles of two particular designers. This research is part of a larger one that comprehends the development of a multipurpose chair design tool. The combination of the two specific grammars generates designs from two specific styles, a commons style, a hybrid style and new styles. Results also comprise the characterization of the styles by the analysis of rules and parameters.