What is Generative Design?

In the age of technological breakthroughs, the way we use design software has a potential to improve and speed up design iterations. We all know that sometimes thinking about the best possible outcome of a design can prove daunting, especially when there are required parameters and or spatial requirements, along with cost constraints. At the end of the day it is about saving time, designing efficiently, and the best. With the release of Revit 2021, generative design became available to assist in quickly generating alternative designs. If you have not figured it out now Generative Design is a computer aided process that leverages the power of technology to create the best possible design outcomes, ranking them on what fits the criteria best.

There is a six-step process involved and broken down by Autodesk:

1. Generate design options using algorithms and specified parameters.
2. Analyze the generated design by how well they fit the defined goals.
3. Rank results based on the analysis and design options.
4. Evolve with the ranking of design options and figure out which designs should be developed or evolved further.
5. Explore by comparing the designs that were generated and inspect the results based on the original criteria.
6. Integrate the preferred design option into the design work or within a wider project.

Some designers are already using Generative Design and seeing how well it helps their design workflows. For more information look at what Autodesk has to say!

Generative Design For Architecture, Engineering & Construction

Japan’s Daiwa House Industry Is Using Generative Design to Retool Urban Housing

Three Experiments in Generative Design with Project Refinery

How Will Generative Design Impact Architecture?