New visual languages supporting design of multi-storey buildings

This paper deals with designing multi-storey buildings with the use of a knowledge-based visual design support system. In this system two visual languages for creating design solutions by the designer are proposed. The first one allows the designer to design 2D floor layouts, while the second one is dedicated to creating 3D building structures. The generated design solutions in the form of drawings are internally represented as hierarchical hypergraphs gathering design knowledge on which reasoning about designs can be based. The approach is illustrated by example of designing a three-storey house.