Golnaz Mohammadi

Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Geometric Shape Generator:

Abstract
Geometric Shape Generator (GSG) is an end-user-programmable archiving and
interface system for designers that is capable of manipulating codes to generate
recursive shapes.
GSG generates a wide variety of shapes and patterns. Simple or complex
algorithmic formulas and/or transformation rules may be utilized to alter, modify,
replicate, or transform the current geometric shapes or patterns.
There are endless numbers of design styles, which are created by limited sets of
rules. GSG is a design tool that allows the designer to choose and apply
individual rules and algorithm to generate geometric shapes or patterns.
Additionally, depending on how the formulas and order of transformation is
applied, we may also alter, modify, replicate, or transform the current chaos
theory based shapes or patterns.
1.1

Introduction

Different design styles from different regions and eras have used diverse
methods of geometry to generate the design. An example is the Islamic
architecture; designers used fractals and transformation rules to generate various
designs.
Figure 1 exemplifies the use of geometry and geometric patterns in Islamic
architecture. The illustrated wall is divided into a number of panels, each with its
own distinctive pattern and logic. Within each panel the same design logic holds
true.
This logic is not exclusively limited to walls or large objects; the same logic is
often applied to generate shapes and patterns ranging from textiles to metalwork.

Figure 1: Wall pattern of

Friday Mosque at Herat
in Afghanistan

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Figure 2 is an example of classic-western design used in a Chartres Cathedral in

the 13th century. The designers used the concept of fractals in the design of this
Gothic style window. The basic logic used in this shape is the repetition of
different scale circles. The most outer shape is a circle, this circle is reduced and
repeated in the middle part and is surrounded by twelve smaller circles. In the
external part of the window there are again twelve other circles; which are
surrounded by another twelve circles.

Figure 2: Window rose fractal repetition at Chartres Cathedral

Even avant-garde architects such as Peter Eisenman were influenced by fractals
and the use of fractal concept. Eisenman exhibited house 11-a in July of 1978,
less than a year after the English language publication of Fractals: Form, Chance
and Dimension by scientist Benoit Mandelbrot.
Eventually, House (11a) became a motif in Eisenman's house design. He used
the concept of fractal scaling - a process that he describes philosophically as
entailing "three destabilizing concepts: discontinuity, which confronts the
metaphysics of presence; recursively, which confronts origin; and self-similarity,
which confronts representation and the aesthetic object."

Figure 3:Using fractal repetition in house 11-a and House X respectively

House 11a, a composition of Eisenmans signature Ls is a combination of
transformation rules; such as rotation scaling. The L is actually a square which
has been divided into four quarters and then one quarter square is removed.
Eisenman viewed this resulting L shape as symbolizing an unstable or inbetween state; neither a rectangle nor a square. The three dimensional variation

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

is a cubic octant removed from a cubic whole, rendering the L in three

dimensions.
Greg Lynn uses self intersecting curves to create volumetric pockets within
continuous surfaces. According to Greg Lynn, blebs are pockets of space
formed when a surface intersects itself, making a captured space. He uses a
class of geometric curves beginning with the folium of Descartes and including
Limacon of Pascal Maclaurins Trisectrix, TschirnHauss cubic, Cubic curves
Freeths, Nephroid Stronoid and Plateau curves. Refer to figures 5-7.

Figure 5: ST. GALLEN KUNST MUSEUM. Three volumes

sandwiched between outdoor ceiling and St. Gallen Kunst
Museum containing sculpture galleries

Figure 6: Tri Of Maclaurin

was used to create the
volumes in figure 5

Figure 7: Examples of astroid and limacon of pascal curves used by Greg Lynn for building
design.

From the examples above, we can make the assumption that regardless of time,
geographical location, or cultures, designers utilize geometric rules to create their
designs.
1.2

GOALS OF THE THESIS

The goal of this thesis is to generate a wide variety of shapes and patterns
ranging from Classic-Western, Islamic architecture, to the work of Peter
Eisenman and Greg Lynn, as well as shapes and patterns of nature, using
evolutionary algorithms as design computing tools.

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

1.3 METHODOLGY
The focus of this thesis is on three different categories using evolutionary
algorithms in the processing environment to generate shapes to explore fractals,
curves and surfaces. The thesis will also explore the rules that apply to
algorithms to regenerate new shape pattern volumes and spaces. The algorithms
used to generate shape will be organized in a library system for end user
programmers to use them for their own design generation and code manipulation.
The designer can use specific algorithms in a specific category to generate
space volumes or detailed patterns, which can be used for building detail designs
in windows, door details, or tiling. The thesis is more interested in generating
more complex spaces or volumes like those in Greg Lynn or Frank O Gehrys
work, or even more organic forms using curves or surfaces. As far as building
details, the algorithms will generate fast, detailed patterns. Drafting such details
in conventional CAD environments, using traditional methods of drafting, will
require time, knowledge of geometry, and creativity. Additionally, the thesis will
add colorimetric properties to the pattern. This will be useful for coloring and
filling the patterns created in the processing environment
A number of applets have been developed using processing for this thesis. For
making the applets, I have explored l-systems which is a part of fractals to
generate patterns similar to Islamic architecture details. Also, some very similar
to what we can see in nature; like trees and microscopic details of some living
organs
1.4 THE PARTS OF THE THESIS PROPOSAL
Section 2 discusses the related work and Annotated Bibliography in order to
place GSG in the framework of Computational Design as an evolutionary shape
generative tool that can be used to design architectural forms or patterns with
ubiquitous design style. Section 3 introduces L-systems and explains how the
current processing applets have used l-system to generate shape and patterns.
Section 4 proposes fractals, curves and surfaces as shapes with complete
mathematical structure that GSG can provide indirect access to their
characteristics and therefore allows shape manipulation and regeneration.
Section 4 also explores different fractal types as well as curves and surfaces.
Section 5 is the conclusion and future work.
2-RELATED WORK
The thesis will explore related work in two categories:
The history of evolutionary algorithms and its influence in architecture and
art
Shape Generative computing and its rule in design.
2.1-Fractals and Fractal Architecture

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Wolfgang E. Lorenz, Fractals and Fractal Architecture, from URL

http://www.iemar.tuwien.ac.at/modul23/fractals/subpages/10home.html.
Fractals will make you see everything differently. ... You risk the loss of
your childhood vision of clouds, forests, galaxies, leaves, flowers, rocks,
mountains, torrents of water, carpets, bricks, and much more.
The word fractal was initiated by Benoit Mandelbrot in 1975. He was describing
fractals as asymmetrical curves. Mandelbrot set, which is one of the most wellknown fractal types, was defined for the first time by Mandelbrot.
Wolfgang believes we should first define how fractals can help us in a specific
field. Then find applications of fractal geometry in different fields: natural science,
medicine, market analysis, manufacturing, ecology - and architecture? He also
believes there are aspects of fractal applications in fine art, city planning and
architecture; further research should be done.
Until recently, scientists described nature through mathematics of smooth forms
such as lines, curves and planes geometry. The new science does not try to
replicate the rugged quality of nature through smooth forms, but it deals with the
irregularity of the structure itself - this field of mathematics is expressed in the
language of fractal geometry: The whole is more than its parts. The fractal new
geometric art shows surprising similarity to Grand Master paintings or Beaux Arts
architecture. An evident reason is that classical visual arts, like fractals, involve
many scales of length and support self-similarity.
Since we can find similarity between nature and architecture with regard to
material and structure, some of the fractal attributes can be found in architecture.
Fractal geometry may help us investigate the complexity of Middle Age towns,
cathedrals and other man-made objects thru time. It may also help us transfer
the complexity of newly planned cities and buildings - cities and buildings may
then also be reduced to simpler algorithms: the automatic architecture"
2.2-Generating Fractals Based on Spatial Organizations
Magdy M. Ibrahim and Robert J. Krawczyk, Generating Fractals Based on
Spatial Organizations, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago
The authors classify fractals in two main categories depending on the technique
they are generated from and the mathematical processes that are used to
calculate them.
From perspective of drawing, the categories are:
Line or vector fractals, which are generated from the collection of vector
substitution; like Dragon curves shown in figure 8a & 8b.

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Figure 8a: First Four

Generations of Dragon Curve

Figure 8b: Dragon

Curve

Point fractals are groups of points in a complex plane like the Mandelbrot
set and the Julia set shown in Figure 9

Figure 9 Mandelbrot set

From the perspective of mathematics we can classify fractals into:
IFS iterated function systems like Koch snowflake, cantor set, Barnesleys
Fern, and the Dragon Curve. Fractal generates from any set of vectors or
any defined curve.
Complex number fractals. Two-dimensional, three-dimensional or multipledimensional. They represent a single case of the IFS that is using the
complex numbers or the hyper complex numbers in a Cartesian plane to
plot the fractals. The Mandelbrot set and Julia set are examples.
Orbit fractals. Plotting an orbit path in two or three-dimension generates
the fractal space. Examples include the Bifurcation orbit, Lorenz Attractors,
Rossler Attractors, Henon Attractors, Pickover Attractors,

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Gingerbreadman, and Martin Attractors. These are related with the chaos
theory.
2.3-Architecture, Patterns, and Mathematics
Nikos A. Salingaros, Architecture, Patterns, and Mathematics, University of
Texas, Published in the NNJ vol. 1 no. 2 (April 1999)
Salinagarose introduces Mathematics as a science of patterns. The human mind
distinguishes connections and interrelations between concepts and ideas, and
links them together. The human neural development in response to a persons
environment enables him/her to create patterns. Mathematical theories explain
the relations between patterns that occur inside ordered, logical structures.
Patterns in the mind imitate patterns in nature as well as man-made patterns,
which is probably the reason why humans developed mathematics in the first
place. People generate patterns out of some fundamental inner need: it
externalizes connective structures generated in the mind thinking process, which
explains the ubiquitousness of visual patterns in the traditional art and
architecture of mankind.
Patterns are also essential to human intellectual development. Daily activity is
planned around natural rhythms. Annual events become a society's fixed points.
Additionally, these can help individuals understand a periodic natural phenomena
like seasons and their effects. Mathematics itself arose out of the need to
observe patterns in space and time. Repeating gestures become theater and
dance, and are incorporated into myth, ritual, and religion. The development of
voice and music responds to the need to encapsulate rhythmic patterns and
messages. All of these activities occur as patterns on the human range of time
scales. Self organization in a complex physical and chemical system generates
pattern in space or time.
Patterns manifest the inherent creative aptitude of human beings for
mathematics. Child psychologists necessitate patterns for developing a childs
visual environment.
Salingaro believes patterns are indispensable from architectural form. The study
of hidden patterns in chaotic systems is Mathematical chaos. The basic aim of
mathematics, which is to discover patterns, has not changed from Newtonian to
chaotic models. Built examples vary from one extreme to another: from the empty
modernist model into random forms. Decoration on contemporary buildings is
either so minimal or hardly noticeable, or it is deliberately disarrayed and broken,
consequently it is jumbled. Although, Deconstructivist architects avoid organized
complexity, their design concept is still a proper mathematical concept.

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

2.4-Towards a generative system for intelligent design support

John Hamilton Frazer, Ming xi tang, and Sun Jian school of design, Towards a
generative system for intelligent design support, The Hong Kong polytechnic
university
This article approaches evolutionary design as employing different evolutionary
computing techniques in the various stages of the design process. They find
evolutionary design process a vigorous method since it can be formulated as a
wide-ranging purposed problem solver with a gift similar to human design
aptitude but with an enormity of speed and efficiency.
The role of designers in creative decision-making must be supported rather than
undermined. In this sense, evolutionary design techniques as general purpose
that design support tools require to be incorporated with knowledge-based
design techniques in order to reveal designers expertise and experience in any
automated generative processes.
2.5-Computational design
Processing
Ben Fry and Casey Reas initiated processing. It is currently developed at the MIT
Media Lab, UCLA, Interaction Ivrea, and by a group of distributed developers
across the Net.
The Processing project brings in a new audience to computer programming who
is a mixture of artist/designer/programmer. It incorporates a programming
language, development environment, and teaching methodology into a unified
structure for learning. Its goal is to introduce programming in the context of
electronic art and to open electronic art concepts to a programming audience.
The Processing concept is to create a text programming language particularly for
making reactive images, the language facilitates sophisticated visual and
responsive composition
DBN
John Maeda proposed DBN design by numbers for teaching computation to
artists and designers. DBN is both a programming environment and language.
The environment provides an integrated space for writing and running programs
and the DBN brings in the basic ideas of computer programming within the
context of drawing. Visual elements such as dots, lines, and fields are combined
with the computational ideas of variables and conditional statements to generate
images.
Form Writer
Mark Gross, Form Writer is an easy- programming language designed especially
for architects to explore generating forms using algorithms. Form Writer offers a

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

simple syntax, combined with development environment, and easy access to

three-dimensional libraries.
ArchiDNA
ArchiDNA uses a simplified syntax code that can be translated into Java code to
generate 2D or 3D images. ArchiDNA enables designers to use a computer to
algorithmically generate shapes and forms. Doo Young Kwons approach in
ArchiDNA enables you to define a certain design style of shape generation which
looks like Peter Eisenmans design style
ArtiE-Fract
ArtiE-Fract is user friendly software for generating fractal images using
interactive evolutionary algorithms. ArtiE-Fract generates fractal images based
on the iteration function system. These algorithms have been built up in an easy
to use interface with advance interactive tools.
3-GSG System
3.1 L-Systems
Lyndemayer System (l-systems) introduced in 1968 are capable of generating
complex structures from small data sets. L-systems take biological knowledge of
cell differentiation and growth and interpret it within a proper mathematical
language. The l-system represents growth by repeated cell subdivision
mechanism. The arrangement arises in l-system is a result of cell subdivision
reiteration, and the product is not symbolic unless we interpret them as
meaningful objects.
An L-system consists of 3 components:

Alphabet a, b
Axiom a (also called the initiator)
Set of re-writing rules, (next state functions) b goes to a & a goes to b

The technique is to apply the rules to each element of axiom, then write the result
below it, then take every element of the latest row and apply the rules, writing the
result below it, this action then keeps on adding axioms. (Figure 10)

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Figure 10: An example of a simple map L-system

Fig 11 shows a plant being grown using L-systems and turtle graphics. We can
use L-systems principal to generate a variety of structure from Islamic patterns to
plant simulations. This phenomenon is due to the mutual use of evolutionary
algorithms (EA) and as a result makes l-systems a very dynamic design tool.

Figure 11-plant simulation using l-systems

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

10

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

3.2-Turtle graphics and L-systems

Turtle graphics were invented by Seymore Papert as a computer graphic system
that works based on predefined statements (position and orientation) and a small
number of rules against that statement (forward, turn, pen up & down). Turtle
geometry was used as a simple technique to teach geometry to kids using
algorithmic computing. The statement was called the turtle and rules taught the
turtle how to draw.
Turtle graphic was used to build up l-systems by providing a geometrical
interpretation to the l-systems dynamics. The following symbols can be used to
develop an l-system:
F: Draw forward one step in current direction
+: Turn right
-: Turn left
The Koch curve L-system as an example to show how such a system works:

Alphabet = {F,+,-}
axiom= F
production rules: F

F+F- - F+F

If we presume Generation 0 is just a straight horizontal line; and the rotation

angle (r) is 60, the production means replace a straight line segment F by the
following arrangement of four line vectors as shown in figure-12.

Figure -12: Koch curve production (first generation)

Some more generations of the Koch curve are shown in figure 13.

Figure- 13: Koch curve generations

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

The Koch L-system grows fairly quick; each line segment is replaced by four
more at the next generation, the n-th generation has segments. For instance,
generation 8 plotted above has 65536 segments.
3.3 Processing applets
By using the l-system and Turtle graphics, I have developed a series of applets in
the processing environment. In this section I will show some examples of my
applets and also briefly describe their system and how a designer can interact
with my codes to generate a wide variety of shapes. Figure -14 shows an
example of shapes I created using l-system concepts in the processing
environment

Figure-14. Example of shapes generated with processing

Example of geometric shapes
Using a turtle-graphics control language and start with an initial axiom string, the
program carries out string substitutions to the specified number of times (the
iteration), and plots the resulting shape.
In order to produce the shapes in figure-15, I have used basic turtle l-system
interpreter. My alphabets are defined as (F, f,+,-) you can see the alphabet
description as :
F : draws a line of unit in current direction
f : move forward one unit in current direction, without drawing the line
+ : turns left one angle unit
- : turns right one angle unit
String state = "F-F-F-F";
String [] axioms = {"F","f","-","+"};
String [] productions = {"F+F-F+F-F+F","f","-","+"};
Int iterations = 4; the number of iterations (generations)
Float unit=4; the vector unite length
Float delta=30; the rotation angle
Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

12

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

The processing environment does not have a built in turtle system, I used a
simple algorithm to define a turtle. An example of the simple algorithm for
simulating turtle movements is:
newX=x+unit*cos(radians(zt));
newY=y+unit*sin(radians(zt));
line(x,y,newX,newY);
X and y are starting coordination points in the Cartesian coordinate system.
NewX and newY are defining the turtle movement in the coordinate system. Zt
defines the turtle turning angle from left or right. Zt=Zt+Delta which delta is our
rotation angle, and at the turtles starting point our vector line should be horizontal.
Which means zt=0 and the iteration=0, delta is a rotating angle with a horizontal
line and is used to turn the turtle left or right with the Delta angle. Finally, line
command draws a line base on the line coordination points. I have to mention
here that if we draw another shape instead of a line and apply the same rules to
our shape the same system still works and basically shape replacement gives
the designer the ability to generate a variety of shapes; needless to mention that
applying these simple rules to the single line can generate a wide range of
shapes by itself. The designer can generate shapes by changing the production
statement or rotation angle unite size or number of iteration. Figure-15 is a
simple example of geometric patterns that a designer can produce using l-system
and Turtle graphics.

Figure 15: Geometric shape generated by using the l-system.

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

13

Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Here is the programming code that was used to generate figure-15

String state = "F-F-F-F";
String[] axioms = {"F","f","-","+"};
String[] productions = {"F+F-F+F-F+F","f","-","+"};
int iterations = 4; float unit=15; float delta=30; int c=0; float x,y,zt; int index; color dColor;
String newState;
void setup(){
size(400,400);
background(220,150,100);
for(int i=0;i<iterations;i++) {
newState="";
for(int j=0;j<state.length();j++){
String subString=state.substring(j,j+1);
for(int k=0;k<axioms.length;k++) {
String axiom=axioms[k];
if(subString.equals(axiom))
newState=newState+productions[k];} }
state=newState; }
x=width-150; y=height/4; zt=0; index=0;}
void loop(){
float newX,newY;
c=(c+10)%255;
stroke(color(c*40+220,10,c%20+160));
if(index<state.length()) {
String item=state.substring(index,index+1);
if(item.equals("F")) {
newX=x+unit*cos(radians(zt)); newY=y+unit*sin(radians(zt));
strokeWeight(1);
line(x,y,newX,newY);
x=newX; y=newY; }
else if (item.equals("f")) {
newX=x+unit*cos(radians(zt)); newY=y+unit*sin(radians(zt)); x=newX; y=newY; }
else if (item.equals("+")) {
zt=zt+delta;
rotateX(zt); }
else if (item.equals("-")) {
zt=zt-delta; }
zt=zt%360;
index++; }
else if(index==state.length()) { index++; }}

The next examples will allow you to see how small changes can produce a
variety of shape and patterns. Figure-16 shows patterns generated using the
same code, but with Delta (rotation angle) set to 45. In figure-17, Delta is set at
60 to see how a simple code manipulation will result in a different shape. Figure18 the rotation angle is 30 and the number of iterations is 5. As you can see,
there is a major change in shape generation and you dont see a geometric
pattern any more.

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

Figure-16:

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Detla 45 Iteration 4

Figure-17: Detla 45 Iteration 4

Figure-18:

Detla 30 Iteration 5

Here is another set of applets that have been developed using the turtle lsystem interpreter; but by the implemented via push/pop turtle logic to facilitate
dynamic angle changing. Push() and pop() requires the understanding of the
matrix stack concept. The push() function saves the current coordinate system to
the stack and the pop() restores the prior coordinate system. Push() and pop()
are used in conjunction with the other transformation methods and may be
embedded to control the scope of the transformations.
Alphabets for this system are:
F : draw a line of unit in current direction
f : move forward one unit in current direction, no draw
+ : turn left one angle unit
- : turn right one angle unit
[ : push state
] : pop state
The code shown below is used to generate a turtle l-system tree implemented
with push and pop. An image of the tree is shown in figure-19
String state = "F";
String[] axioms = {"F","f","-","+","[","]"};
String[] productions = {"F-[-F+F+F]+[+F-F-F]","f","-","+","[","]"};
int iterations = 4;
float unit=80 (the vector unite length)
float delta=150;(rotation angle)

Figure 19-Example of a L-System tree

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

We can use push/pop turtle l-systems to generate a wide range of shapes and
patterns by changing the rotation angle, iteration number, and unit size as well as
production statement to create interesting shapes or manipulate existing shapes.
The applets can work as knowledge based support systems to support the
designer to create interesting shapes quickly with little understanding of lsystems structure. The artist can interact with the code to manipulate or generate
a range of shapes.

Figure 20: example of shape generator using push and pop turtle L-System
4.1 Applet extensions
In the next part of the thesis, I would like to further explore fractals, curves, and
surfaces and the related algorithm that generate a wider range of shape. Then I
will explore the possibility of interaction with the end userprogrammable library
system that covers fractal, curves and surfaces to manipulate and generate
shapes.
4.2 Fractals
Various methods using different algorithms have been discovered to produce
fractals. Ant Automaton, Barnsley Mandelbrot/Julia Set, Bifurcation, Cellular
Automata, Martin Attractors, Circle, Peterson Variations, Formula, Diffusion Type,
Dynamic System, Pick over Popcorn, Frothy Basins, Gingerbreadman, Halley,
Hyper Complex, Newton, Icon and Icon3d ,Julia Sets ,Inverse Julias, L-Systems
(2d, 3d) are some of the most well-known fractal types that I am going to
produce and explore ways to interact with their evolutionary algorithmic structure
to generate patterns and to find easier more powerful interaction and code
manipulation to easily and quickly generate shapes. Figure 21 and 22 show
patterns that have been produced using different fractal types.
The fractal shapes generated by designers can be used as forms for architectural
floor plan design, or the patterns can be used for architectural building details,
such as tiling windows and doors.

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Ant type

Barnsleyj2 type

Basic bifurcation fractal

Cellular Automata

Martin Type

Pickover Popcorn

Complex Newton type

cmplxmarsjul type

Diffusion type

Dynamic type

Frothy basin type

Manzpowr type

Icon type

Henon type

Circle type

Figure 21: Shapes produced with various fractal types

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

Halley type

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Julia type

Kamtorus type

Inverse Julia type

l-system type

Gingerbread type

Figure 22: Shapes produced with various fractal types

4.3-3d Fractals

Manipulating fractals in a 3d environment will provide the designer a large variety

of volume and space, which is useful for architectural design. 3d L-systems is a
good example of such a 3d environment that I will further explore in this thesis to
set a series of parameters in my programming code that enables the designer to
easily manipulate and generate shapes in 3d environment or apply rules to the
single or complex 3d axiom to generate architectural spaces.
Figure 23 exemplifies a 3 dimensional structure of the 2D carpet. The unit cube is
divided to slice the width of the cube by 1/3. The central pieces of the resulting
cubes located at the center of the faces are removed from original cube. This
process is repeated perpetually with the resulting cubes. Such a process could
be useful to generate Eisenmans like designs.

Figure 23: Example of cube generated using 3d l-systems

Result

Another area to explore in regard to 3d fractals is to transform or extrude existing

2d fractals like Mandelbrot or Julia sets along z axis to generate more organic
type of volumes

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Figure 24: 3d Julia set generated by Pov-Ray

4.4-curves
Mathematic algorithms can be used to generate a variety of curves useful for
generating architectural floor plans, architectural ornamentation as well as
generating geometric spaces for building domes or Greg Lynn and Frank Gehrys
organic forms and spaces. For another section of this thesis I would like to
explore the use of algorithms that generate curves and also transforming the
resulting curve to produce 3d shapes. Table 1 are samples of the curve types
that I will explore and manipulate their evolutionary algorithm and possibilities of
generating forms from architectural spaces to geometric patterns using these
curves in my future work.

Super circle
Piecewise cubic
Bezier
Butterfly curve
Chrysanthemum
Cycloid
Spline curves
Conic sections
Archimedes
Spiral
Equiangular
Spiral
Fermats Spiral
Hyperbolic
Spiral
Lituus Spiral
Parabolic spiral

Square
Archimedes
Spiral
Sinusoidal
Spiral
Coth spiral
Tanh spiral
Cornu Spiral
Cayleys sextic

Cissoid of Dioches

Viviani
Epicycloid
Concoid of
Nicromedes
Cissoid of
Dioches
Viviani
Epicycloid

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Table 1

Lemniscate
Deltoid
Strophoid
Nephroid
2D Bow curve
Bow curve
Klein Cycloid
Krishna Anklets
Mango Leaf
Snake Kolam
Cardioid
Parabola
Spherical
Cardioid
Astroid
Hyperbola
Hypocycloid
Agnesi curve

Bicorn curve
Glissette
Diamond curve
Kappa curve
Piriform curve
Trisectrix of
Maclaurin
Tractrix
Folium curve
Baseball seam
Eight knot
Helix
Limacon
Spherical
Nephroid
Freeths
Nephroid

Borromean rings

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Super shapes

Knots

Spherical Cardioid

Figure 25: examples of various curve families can be produced using algorithms
4.5-surfaces
Surfaces as well as curves have been constantly used in architectural design.
Greg Lynn Blobs are good examples of using geometric surfaces in architectural
design. Voluptuous undulating surfaces can define our living spaces. Figure 26
illustrates EMBRYOLOGICAL HOUSE design by Greg Lynn and use of folding
surfaces in architecture design. Mathematical algorithms may be used to
generate such surfaces which are useful for architectural design.

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Figure 26: Voluptuous undulating surfaces in Embryological House

Table 2 illustrates some of the surface categories that would be used to generate
forms. Surface manipulation of the evolutionary algorithm will be explored for
possible form generation.
Spherical Harmonics
3D Super Shape
Pseudo sphere
Steinmetz solid
Bifolia surface
Twisted plan
Kuen's surface
Cross Hole
Twisted Fano
Fano planes
Slipper surface
Tranguloid Trefoi
Chladni plates
Nose, Witch hat
Tangle, Strophoid surface
Chair surface
Fish, Cresent
Sea Shells
Steiner look-a-like
Cross Cap
Steiner surface
Maeder's Owl
Twisted Triaxia Hunt
surface
Stiletto surface
Mitre surface
Blob, Nodal cubic
Boy surface
Apple shape
Klein Cycloid

Table 2

Hearts
Mobius strip
Pisod triaxial
Dini's surface
Tear drop
Verrill surface
Cassini Ova
Glob teardrop
Piriform
Gerono lemniscat
Piriform
Cassini Oval
Glob teardrop
Jet surface
Superellipse
Cymbelloid
Bezier surfaces
Spline surfaces
Triaxial teardrop
Whitney umbrella
Lemniscape
Tractrix
Pseudocatenoi
Twisted heart
Torus/Supertoroid
Triaxial Tritorus
Elliptic Torus
Gumdrop Torus
Saddle Torus Bohemian
Dome

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

Twisted pipe
Devil surface
Swallow
P1 atomic orbital
Ghost Plane
Folium
Bent Horns
Tubey
Catenoid minimal surface
Helicoids minimal surface
Catalan minimal surface
Henneburg minimal
surface
Scherk minimal surface
Bour minimal surface
Ennepers minimal surface
Richmond minimal surface
Handkerchief, Kidney
Monkey saddle
Pillow shape
Snail surface
Kinky torus
Kusner Schmitt
McMullen K3 mode
Weird surface Tri-Trumpet
Gerhard Miehlich
Kampyle of Eudoxus
Barth sextic
Cayley surface
Tooth

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal

University of Washington
February 16, 2004

Figure 27: examples of Blobs and super shapes surfaces that may be produced using algorithms

4.6-GSG end user programmable library system

GSG will be organized in a library system. Based on the wide variety of shapes
produced, the designer can effortlessly access the categories of his desired
interest
5.1 Conclusions
Geometry as part of mathematics has always been used in architectural design
process. We can see the use of geometry in western and eastern classical
architecture to modern and avant-gardes architecture. Higher end architects
have been trying to imitate from nature to create more organic forms that we
refuse to see any geometric relation in their form.
Exploring evolutionary algorithm will enlighten the geometric structure of organic
forms. The only reason human being refuses to see geometric relationship of
nature is due to their complex structure. Further and more in-depth attention and
exploration is needed to visualize the complex structures. Computer may be
used as a tool to study and achieve such structures. Since computers can
process huge amounts of information in a very short time frame, computing is not,
and will not block human creative abilities. GSG is simply a tool that allows the
designer to explore more design possibilities. Human creativity and abilities are
beyond our imagination, providing the right tools to the designer may indeed
further human creativity and abilities.
5.2 Future Works
Evolutionary structure of fractals is capable of creating music as well as shape
for further exploration and expansion of this thesis. I hypothesis, that the
possibility of generating music using the same algorithm has been used to
generate the form to explore the harmony between shapes and music.
Currently GSG system is capable of generating shapes which are useful for early stage of
design. I would like to offer a knowledgebase design critique to evaluate the resulting
shape to support the designer for the entire design process.
Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

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Golnaz Mohammadi
Thesis Proposal
6. Schedule
10 weeks in Spring of 2004:

University of Washington
February 16, 2004
To research related work, develop and expand
programming skills

Week 1-3 of Spring of 2004:

Completion of implementation project as well

as enhancements
Week 3-7 of Spring of 2004: Writing documents
Week 7-10 of Spring of 2004: Modifying the interface and writing documents
7. Available Resources:
Faculty Support: Ellen Yi-Luen Do and Mark D Gross
8. Space Support
MS program in the dept of architecture (Design Machine Group) will provide
the thesis space during Spring quarter.

Geometric Shape Generator (GSG)

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