A Generative Multilingual Shape Grammar for Mini and Micro-housing Design and Its Robotic Construction

Sponsored by the British Council, this study focuses on a novel generative system based on shape grammar for housing. Shape grammar has been used over the last decades with the purpose of analyzing and recreating existing design languages. It has been documented the limited number of grammar used in new designs, implemented in computer tools and built. This paper reports the experience of grammar as a generative process, its implementation and a methodology to apply it using robotic construction. The main contribution is the construction of a prototype of a micro-house as generated by the grammar as the first real implementation of a grammar whilst using robotic concrete extrusion. The grammar as a generative system, allows for customization of housing whilst keeping affordability. Its computer implementation allows experts and laymen to design exploration. The grammar generated is also multilingual grammar allowing for the design of compact and micro-houses.