SHAPE EXPLORATIONS IN ARCHITECTURAL FORM

GRAMMAR NARENDHIRAN
M.Arch – II year

ASSIGNMENT - 1
Shape Grammar:

Shape grammars in computation are a specific class of production systems that generate
geometric shapes. Typically, shapes are 2 or 3 – dimensional, thus shape grammars are way
to study 2 and 3 – dimensional languages.

Spatial relation:

Spatial relations constrain the way that a shape in a vocabulary can be combined with one
another. They are simple compositional ides and the key to shape grammars. They also
provide contexts adding and subtracting shapes to create designs.

Shape rule:

Shape rules are transforming of one shape to another that allow part of the shapes to be
defined and changed recursively to conform to given spatial relationships.
Each rule specifies a condition, associates with that condition an action which may be taken
in response.

To apply knowledge that is expressed in this form, finding a match between the condition
part of a rule is required. Then the instructions in the action part of the rule are followed.

 A shape rule has two parts separated by an arrow

 A left-hand side (LHS) shape or shapes, which contain a condition
 A right- hand side (RHS) shape or shapes, which contain the associated action
 A rule states that shape on left side transformed or replaced by the shape on the right
side. Given an initial shape, one transforms it by using the rules of grammar to
produce a new shape or shapes. Transformations could include subtracting parts of the
shape on the left side, adding a new shape to it, dividing it and so on.

Design process:

Derivation:

Derivation are a sequence of design where each design is generated of the previous design
by applying a rule

Design 1 > Design 2 > Design 3 > Design 4 >……

Transformation in design through shape grammar:

Transformation in shape grammar means changing the form of the prototype without
changing its function. It refers to change in the observable form of the object. It happens
in three ways:

 By changing the configuration of the form through Euclidean operation (Scale,

rotation, translation, and reflection)
 By changing the values assigned to variables that define component objects of the
form
 By replacing the vocabulary elements of the form with new ones
Color grammar:

The first step is the creation of basic grammar, by creating a vocabulary composed of two
pillar of different length, establishing a spatial relation, and then the creating of set of rules.

The second step, three colors (Yellow, red and blue) were used in order to reduce the
symmetry of the pillar from 16 to 1, each vocabulary piece has 16 possible repositioning
where the geometric relationship between the pillars remains the same while color
relationships change.

Third step is the creation of matrix of grammars, the number of different spatial forms
obtained was 16 x 16 = 256 and each spatial form could receive 256 different colorings,
which produced a matrix of 256 x 256 = 65, 536 possible color grammars.

And finally, picking a grammar that could fit the architectural program.
CASE STUDY:

Grammar in habitat 67-:

The example of terrace housing is a Habitat 67 design by Moshe safdie.

This project with 3 types of housing creates a living environment with staggering forms and
series of terrace roofs.

Different permutation and combination of shape grammar used during planning and
attachment of different units.
Asian Game village:
A cluster in Asian games village – basic unit of four apartments is designed in such a way
that it can be linked with cantilevers on ends and partly on fronts to create a variety of
interlinking spaces.

Design:

A cluster in Asian games village – basic unit of four apartments is designed in such a way
that it can be linked with cantilever on ends and partly on front to create a variety of
interlinking spaces.

Pathway:

With a mix of street and squares, the architect recreates what he calls the “ Theater of the
street ”, where public interaction can spill from their immediate spaces as neighbours into a
community and works towards making them active participants and not just viewers.
INCREMENTAL HOUSING, CBD BELAPUR: BY Ar. CHARLES CORREA:

The project is generated by a hierarchy of spaces. The first is the private courtyard of single
dwelling used as a space for outdoor activities during most of the year.

Subsequently, seven units are grouped to form a small courtyard town of about 8m x 8m

Spatial Analysis:

Three of these groups form a module of twenty – one homes that describes the collective
space of next scales (approximately 12m x 12m).