Complex puzzles are difficult to solve. The leaning columns in the basement of KCAP’s  Groningen Stadsbalkon have to hold up a 3000 sqm concrete slab, get out of the way, minimize resources, and give the impression of a random forest. Such conflicting demands are hard to tackle with a systematic approach. With an optimization software based on artificial-life methods the architects were enabled to “grow” alternative solutions on their screens that matched all constraints – far quicker than a real forest.

designtoproduction develops advanced optimization tools that match
design ideas to the best constructive, structural, and functional solution.

In a rectangular design with regular grids and uniform modules the optimum is easy to determine. But in a complex geometry, where dimensions change and angles vary, it can be difficult to find any answer at all – let alone a good one. With optimization tools that exploit the power of bottom-up methods like Genetic Algorithms and Swarm Intelligence it is possible to find good solutions for complex systems – maintaining the non-regular form instead of falling back on a square grid.

We research state-of-the-art optimization methods and make them applicable to real-world problems by implementing customized tools for design in engineering.

optimized projects: Groningen Stadsbalkon (Groningen), Evolving Roof (Naples), Swissbau Pavilion (Basel)