A constraint-based approach for the generation of floor plans

We describe a knowledge-based system that generates all possible floor plans satisfying a set of geometric constraints on the rooms (non-overlap, adjacency, minimal/maximal area, minimal/maximal dimension, etc.). Our approach is based on the extension of the constraint techniques; we define in particular a new partial consistency suited to these problems: the semi-geometric arc-consistency. The method for achieving it is based on an inference by propagation rectangle label and interval label. After solving some realistic problems, we conclude by discussing the relevance of a constraint-based approach for solving these problems