Searching for designs : paradigm and progress

Abstract: "Most CAD systems operate within a paradigm that makes it impossible for computers to materially assist in design. Yet in the research community, the well-established search paradigm is technically ready for broader application. This paper describes design search using the devices of set theory and grammars. It constructs a model of design spaces as a framework for creating new types of systems, and argues that current professional CAD systems cannot easily adapt the search paradigm. Two approaches to systems that use design search, potentially exhaustive enumeration and spatial grammars are discussed with reference to existing research efforts."