Shape grammars is a powerful formal system for the generative description of designs. Their unique difference with all other generative systems is that they perform entirely visual computations rather than symbolic computations. Shape grammars are intended to form a basis for purely visual computation and in this sense they belong in the heart of design education and practice – both in precedent analysis and in a studio setting.

The course discusses the foundations of shape grammar formalism, provides a constructive understanding of the formalism through hands-on workshops and offers a generous overview of the history and logic of several of its applications in design research. A particular focus is given on a systematic exposition of basic rule schemata and the ways they are ordered and combined in sums and products to produce a compositional taxonomy of design.

The course is open to Ph.D, MS. Arch, and M.Arch students. BS. Arch students and students from other departments and schools at Georgia Tech can take it with a special permit.


Syllabus