Applying shape grammar and BIM for generating the mass modular housing design in ShanLiChenJia village, ZhaoYuan, China

Abstract

This paper proposes a method for floor plan designs that combines shape grammar with Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology to create plan module libraries by using the mass modular housing project in ShanLiChenJia village as an example. The modular building is composed of several component modules, and shape grammar can manipulate their graphics and functions to enrich the combination relationship between component modules. The rule-making of the combination process can code the size relationship that affects the module form by adding space and size constraints. In the rule system of shape grammar, geometric dimensions, and functional attributes are first embedded in the shape graph. Then, the mapping relationship is established between the shape graph and the attributes of the modules. Finally, the BIM platform can establish the module library using Autodesk Revit. In addition, a spatial relationship in the scheme is selected in Revit software for generative experiments, which confirms the feasibility of shape grammar in generative design and spatial diversity of modular buildings.