GENERATIVE EVOLUTIONARY TECHNIQUES IN

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNING
A DISSERTATION

Submitted by

RESHMA.R.R

(REG.NO – 963419566012)

In partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE

IN GENERAL ARCHITECTURE

SIGMA COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

ANNA UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI

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NOVEMBER 2020

ANNA UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this project report “Generative evolutionary techniques in

architectural designing” is the bonafide work of “Reshma.R.R” (REG.NO –
963419566012) who carried out the project work under our supervision. Certified further
that to the best of my knowledge the work reported herein does not form part of any other
thesis or dissertation on the basis of which a degree or award was conferred on an earlier
occasion on this or any other candidate.

Prof.Ar.Chinnadurai.S,M.Arch., IIA., Ar. Gokila Vijayalakshmi, B.Arch., M.Plan.,

HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT, SUPERVISOR,
SIGMA College of Architecture, Associate Professor,
Moododu, Anducode Post, SIGMA College of Architecture,
Kanyakumari District – 629 168. Kanyakumari District – 629 168.

Ar. Indira Kolli, M.Arch., INTERNAL EXAMINER

PRINCIPAL,
SIGMA College of Architecture. EXTERNAL EXAMINER
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ABSTRACT

Computational tools have introduced innovative form finding techniques and are often

described as ‘generative design’. The building facades of 20 th century followed the aesthetics

of ‘International Style’ . It is recognized by glass dominated geometric forms bounded by

flattening unornamented glass facades which raised concern about the loss of identity. The

study aims at decoding the traditional patterns, motifs and ornamentation of temple

architecture which is seen as a symbol of cultural heritage. The research investigates how

traditional ornamentation could be interpreted and used in contemporary façade designing

using generative evolutionary design techniques.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Reshma.R.R

(REG.NO – 963419566012)
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TABLE OF CONTENT

LIST OF FIGURES
…………………………………………………………………………… VIII
1.1 LIST OF TABLES
…………………………………………………………………………… X

1.2

1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………… 01
1.1. Background 01
1.2. Problem Statement 02
1.3. Need for the study 02
1.4. Aim 03
1.5. Objectives 03
1.6. Scope & limitations 03
1.7. Methodology 04

2. LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………………………………… 05
2.1. Fractals Geometry 05
2.1.1. Fractals in nature
2.1.2. Cantor’s Comb
2.1.3. Helge von Koch’s Curve
2.1.4. Sierpinski’s Triangle
2.1.5. Gaston Julia Sets
2.1.6. Methods of application of fractals in architecture

2.2. FRACTALS AND ARCHITECTURE………………………………………… 08

2.2.1. An ancient African settlement
2.2.2. Temple Architecture of South East Asia
2.2.3. Cathedrals in Europe
2.2.4. Contemporary Usage
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2.3. Book review-1: The Fractal Dimension of Architecture …………………………… 18

2.3.1. Fractals in Architectural Design and Critique
2.3.2. Introducing the Box-Counting Method
2.3.3. Measuring Architecture
2.3.4. Refining the Method
2.3.5. Analysing Architecture
2.3.6. Conclusion

2.4. Book review-2: Hindu temples: models of a fractal universe………………… 24

2.4.1. Temple forms, fractals and self-similarity 24
2.4.2. Hindu cosmology
2.4.3. Symbolism of basic geometric form
2.4.4. Parts of Hindu Temple
2.4.5. Fractalization
2.4.5.1 Self similar iteration
2.4.5.2 Repetition, super imposition and juxtaposition

3. Case study: ………………………………………………………………… 30

3.1. Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt………………………………… 30
3.1.1. 30
3.1.2. 31
3.1.3. 34
3.1.4. 35

3.2. Lideta Mercato, Ethiopia……………………………………………… 36

3.2.1. Introduction 36
3.2.2. 37
3.2.3. 38
3.2.4. 38
3.2.5. 39
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3.3. Fractal roof canopy of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai

…………………………… 44
3.3.1. 44
3.3.2. 45
3.3.3. 46
3.3.4. 47
3.3.5. 48
3.3.6. 48
3.4. Summary: Comparison of case studies…………….……………..……….50
4. Fractal analysis of Meenakshi Amman temple, Madurai………………..
………………………………………………….51
4.1. History 52
4.2. Planning pattern 52
4.3. Temple geometry and symbolic expression 53
4.4. Box counting analysis of Temple gate 54
4.5. Measuring and fractal dimensioning 58
5. Conclusion:………………………………………………………………..62