Towards bridging semantic spatial constraints and parametric design

We present a proof-of-concept for the integration of state-of-the-art methods in geometric and qualitative spatial representation and reasoning with parametric design systems. Using a case-study involving a combination of topological and visibility constraints, we demonstrate the manner in which a parametric design model may be generated solely from the spatial aspects of conceptual design specifications or high-level semantic design requirements. We demonstrate the proposed methodology by applying it to architectural floor plan layout design, where a number of spaces with well defined functionalities have to be arranged such that particular functional design constraints are fulfilled. The case-study is developed by an integration of the declarative spatial reasoning system CLP(QS)¹ with the parametric CAD system Autodesk Inventor.