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Biomorpher: Interactive evolution for parametric design

Article  in  International Journal of Architectural Computing · June 2018

DOI: 10.1177/1478077118778579

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Biomorpher: Interactive Evolution for Parametric Design
John Harding and Cecilie Brandt-Olsen
Abstract
Combining graph-based parametric design with metaheuristic solvers has to date
focussed solely on performance based criteria and solving clearly defined objectives. In
this paper, we outline a new method for combining a parametric modelling environment
with an interactive Cluster-Orientated Genetic Algorithm (COGA). In addition to
performance criteria, evolutionary design exploration can be guided through choice
alone, with user motivation that cannot be easily defined. As well as numeric parameters
forming a genotype, the evolution of whole parametric definitions is discussed through
the use of genetic programming. Visualisation techniques that enable mixing small
populations for interactive evolution with large populations for performance-based
optimisation are discussed, with examples from both academia and industry showing a
wide range of applications.

1. Introduction
In the forward to John Frazer seminal book, An Evolutionary Architecture [1], the
cyberneticist Gordon Pask states that “the role of the architect here is not so much to
design a building or a city as to catalyse them; to act that they may evolve.” Now over
twenty years on, one could argue that the impact of evolutionary approaches within
architecture has been relatively minimal despite their potential. Handing the process of
design, even a part of it, over to the machine seems to run counter to the control a
designer usually craves, with many impressive academic developments rarely making it
into real projects.

One may therefore ask why, especially in the context of technological progression
within this time? It could be argued that the reasons are twofold. Firstly, the ‘problem’ of
architectural design can rarely be stated with explicit objective functions, and therefore
open to be ‘optimised’ in the traditional sense. As Menges [2] puts it, evaluation criteria
and design objectives often co-evolve with the development of a project, with Rowe [3]
defining architecture as a prime example of a ‘wicked’ problem too complex to be
formally defined against metrics alone. Secondly, metaheuristic algorithms (such as
evolutionary solvers) that enable wide design exploration have until recent years,
required the specialist to master both the technical skill of computer programming and
the complexity of architectural design.

As the popularity of visual programming continues to rise, the latter of these two
issues is becoming increasingly eroded, opening computational design to the non-
specialist with intuitive human user interfaces [4]. However, the nature of evolutionary
methods integrated within parametric design software are yet to fully address the first -
namely that architecture, as a study of place, should not be reduced to minimising or
maximising objective functions within a black box. Instead, the process of evolution in
architectural design should be adaptable, mediated and guided. As Derix asks with
regards an evolutionary architecture [5], “how can a designer better interfere with
computational heuristics and understand the search struggle, offering the opportunity for
identification between designers’ analogue and computational heuristics?”

2. Background
Parametric modelling software for visually constructing algorithms is now becoming
commonplace, opening up computational methods to a much broader audience. A form of
dataflow programming, visual programs define the development of form through a series
of associated explicit functions, commonly taking the form of a Directed Acyclic Graph
(DAG). The structure of the DAG describes a mapping of number to geometry, setting
out a possible design space to be explored when parameters are adjusted [6].

A combination of parametric modelling and performance analysis tools allow for

designs to be evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively in real-time when adjusting
parameters [7]. Again, this process is now well-known, with many third-party analysis
plug-ins, including environmental [8] and structural analysis [9] for example, being
developed for visual programming tools such as Rhino Grasshopper and Autodesk
Dynamo.

2.1. A flexible shape grammar

A parametric definition (or schema) defines the development of form explicitly as well as
providing a cognitive artifact for the design team to interact with. Parametric modelling
therefore shifts focus on final form to the development of form through a sequential
process. As Oxman states [10, p243]: “In digital design significant processes that have
frequently been represented as non-explicit in traditional design models must now be
considered explicit”.

Nodes in the graph (or components) can essentially encapsulate, grammar-based

rules that can be repeated, manipulated and copied from project to project. Such
components essentially act like shape grammars [11] that are either pre-compiled or open
to customisable imperative code, able to be combined within the overall dataflow
schema. Parametric models therefore provide a valuable cognitive artifact for design
teams working at the level of computational process, enabling algorithmic routines to be
integrated at various hierarchies of scale, in-between specialisms and traditional design
stages [12].

2.2. Metaheuristics in parametric design

Although a DAG-based parametric modelling software is based on dataflow
programming, many bi-directional metaheuristic solvers are now available that allow for
numeric parameter search based on performance optimisation via evaluation feedback
(figure 1). For Grasshopper, these include Galapagos for evolution and simulated
annealing [13], Goat [14] for multiple gradient-free optimisation algorithms from the
NLopt open-source library [15], and ‘Octopus’ [4] for multi-objective optimisation using
the Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm (SPEA2) within Rhino Grasshopper.

The latter approach introduces user interaction in controlling the weighting

between objectives at each generation – with objective functions dictating a non-
dominated set of candidate solutions. Whilst allowing user input, such approaches still
emphasise performance criteria according to definable metrics, somewhat different to
interactive evolution whereby in theory, no definable performance criteria need exist.
Indeed, at the early design stage defining explicit metrics too early can often lead to
constraining the problem before it is known, “inducing a false sense of having optimized
a design which may be fundamentally ill-conceived” [1, p.18].

Figure 1. Metaheuristic algorithm operating on metric parameters and/or the whole

definition.

2.3. Interactive evolution

Outside of methods integrated with parametric design environments, interactive
evolutionary computation (IEC) has been researched for over thirty years. Whereas
metaheuristic search algorithms commonly use an objective function to evaluate designs
at each generation, artificial, or ‘interactive’ selection replaces this with selection by
human participant(s) who need not make their motivations explicit and/or constant,
perhaps changing during the evolutionary process itself.

Broadly speaking, there are two forms of IEC: the first where the user changes the
weightings between known objectives as part of a multi-objective search, the second
where the user has input to the selection of the designs to go through at each generation
[16]. The former requires multiple objective functions be constructed with selection
taking place from a Pareto optimal non-dominated set [17-19], whereas the latter requires
no such objectives and is the main focus of this research.

Historically, Dawkins [20] was the first to implement this latter approach, using
computation and a selection interface to evolve so-called ‘Biomorphs’. Using a direct
encoding from a bit string, various patterns resembling common creatures or new ones
could be explored without a target being defined. This work has inspired many artists
interested in computation since, such as the work of Latham and Todd [21] and more
recent applications such as exploring fashion designs [22], the evolution of 2D images
[23] and 3D forms by combining with Compositional Pattern Producing Networks, so-
called CPPN-NEAT [24, 25]. A thorough historical record is given by Steadman [26].

The two most commonly used evolutionary algorithms are Evolutionary

Strategies and Genetic Algorithms, both suited to discontinuous, noisy or ill-defined
objective functions. For genetic algorithms, manipulation using crossover and mutation
occurs at the level of the genotype, and with selection based on the resulting phenotype.
As selection occurs by the human designer(s), interface design becomes a crucial part of
any interactive approach.

Methods to display populations need to be legible and allow designs to be

displayed to enable the quality of the solution to be assessed in some way. Whereas
target-based evolutionary computation favours relatively large populations, this can
overwhelm the human user and hence smaller populations are often used for interactive
evolution – or else the population reduced in size at each generation to prevent user
fatigue. A thorough review of selection methods is given by Shackelford and Simons
[27], including the so-called Cluster-Orientated Genetic Algorithm (COGA), first
developed by Bonham and Parmee [28].

2.4. Interactive evolution in architecture

In architectural design, interactive evolution was pioneered by Frazer [1] and Coates et
al. [29] using genetic programming with Lindenmayer systems, with the latter combining
both interactive and performance-based selection methods, albeit not as part of the same
evolutionary run. More recently, Piasecki & Hanna [30] used an interactive genetic
algorithm to counter the paradox of choice at the early design stage, and Mor et al. [31]
have used interactive evolution to explore a Biomimetic Space installation.

Despite these applications, until recently the development of a generic tool for a
parametric environment has not been specifically developed for wider general use. To the
authors’ knowledge, a sole example exists that enables interactive evolution within
Grasshopper, developed by the Digital Structures Group at MIT [32]. Known as
‘Stormcloud’, this tool has been recently made available to the community at a similar
time to the work discussed here, however it is geared mainly to the evolution of structures
in its phenotype display, and does not include mixed-mode evolutionary search using a
cluster-oriented approach.

3. Biomorpher
The lack of a suitably available tool led to the authors to develop a new freely available
plug-in for Rhino Grasshopper known as Biomorpher, inspired by the pioneering work of
Dawkins. The choice of development within Grasshopper was partly due to its current
popularity as an environment for integrating both modelling and analysis. In addition,
models that have been evolved can easily be manually adjusted either during the search
process or during a post-production phase, something often lacking in stand-alone
applications. Such adjustments need not be limited to parameters only, with topological
adjustments to the graph available to the designer following design evolution.

3.1. Process Overview

Biomorpher allows for any parametric definition constructed in Grasshopper to be
explored using an IGA. Figure 2 shows a typical simple setup before evolution:
Parameter sets (a & b) are combined to produce mesh geometry (c), with a simple volume
measure taken (d). These are then connected to the Biomorpher component before
evolution begins by launching the graphical user interface. One should note that
performance measures are optional (see Section 3.4. for how these are used).

Figure 2. Typical implementation within Rhino Grasshopper.

At present, all parameters, even integers, are encoded into normalised real number
(double precision) format between 0.0 and 1.0, thus forming a genotype for each design.
Once Biomorpher is launched, the user may select a population size, single point
crossover and random mutation rate. Selecting these parameters depends on the problem
in hand, which can vary dramatically depending on the nature of the parametric model
itself, the (unknown) search space and the sensitivity of the mapping between genotype
and phenotype. By default however, population is set to 100, mutation rate 0.01 and
crossover set to zero, noting that with some genotype-phenotype mappings crossover can
be often be disruptive (see Section 4.6.2). An overview of the process underpinning
Biomorpher is given in figure 3.
Figure 3: Overview of process, with human interaction stages highlighted.

3.2. Developmental mapping

The mapping between genotype and phenotype has an important effect on the nature of
the evolution. For example (figure 4), if a numeric slider control the radius of a sphere,
then mapping is direct (a). However, if the same parameter is used instead as a random
seed which then controls the radius of a sphere, then the mapping is highly indirect and
discontinuous (b) – i.e. a small change in the genotype can lead to an unpredictable
change in the phenotype.

Figure 4. An extra component makes a large difference in terms of genotype-phenotype

mapping

With a tool that can in theory be applied to many different parametric models, the
mapping directness is hard to predict, however in general as DAGs follow an explicit
form (or embryogeny) and therefore their suitability for evolutionary search is highly
likely [33]. As Coates et al. state [29, p339], “the development and improvement of the
artificial embryogeny is crucial”, with most parametric models assumed to have at least
some direct relationship between altering a parameter and altering form, a so-called
‘developmental’ genotype-phenotype mapping. In simple examples using Biomorpher,
model parameters are encoded to real numbers, however it is possible to encode entire
parametric definitions themselves and hence evolve them. This is discussed further in
Section 4.6.

3.3. Population display

Biomorpher thus begins by either generating a new population of genes, using an existing
set from a previous evolutionary run, or finally by copying the current parameter state
across the whole population. This latter option followed beta-testing of the tool, where it
was found that most users will incorporate Biomorpher to look for alternatives from an
existing state.

As selection could be either performance based or manual at each generation, a

conflict on population size must be addressed. Large populations are useful for
performance-based optimisation and relatively small populations for interactive selection.
As Shackleford and Simons state [27, p1431], “naively presenting each individual in a
large population at each generation causes evaluation fatigue and a subsequent non-
linearity of user focus making search trajectory inconsistent and ineffective”.

A compromise is therefore to maintain a large population, but represent the whole

space of possible designs by clustering similar outputs. Methods to incorporate Cluster-
Orientated Genetic Algorithms (COGAs), were first outlined by Bonham and Parmee
using solution space measures [28]. Due to the likelihood of a relatively direct genotype-
phenotype mapping, parameter (genotype) space clustering was chosen for Biomorpher,
using k-means, with ‘k-means++’ seeding to help better guarantee a suitable result [34].
A similar method was used by Stasiuk et al. [35] for design exploration of funicular
vaults. In future, a choice to enable clustering of the phenotypes could be implemented,
however the measures on which this is based could be difficult to judge, especially if the
phenotypes have no performance measures displayed.

Biomorpher obtains a phenotype from Grasshopper by automatically adjusting

parameters, calculating the solution and importing the geometry and performance
measures. For manual selection, this is only necessary for cluster centroids increasing
speed at each generation, however if performance measure(s) are selected to be
optimised, phenotypes must be calculated for the total population.
Figure 5. Biomorpher GUI: (a) clustering of 200 designs, (b) phenotype closest to
centroid.

Figure 5 shows how a population of 200 designs is reduced to just 12 clusters,

with a representative (closest to the cluster centroid in parameter space) displayed (c).
Each design (d) has a checkbox for selection, a 3d orientable display aside from the main
Grasshopper display, and a colour coded bar indicating the relative score of each
(optional) performance measure. The colours are designed to give the user more
information that may influence the choices made at each generation, or ‘nudge’ users
without enforcing a particular objective function as with traditional optimisation. If
performance ‘optimisation’ is to be included however, then an option to maximise or
minimise each is available (e). It is therefore possible to have selection made by both
human and machine at each generation.

3.4. Mixed-mode selection

Depending on both human selection and performance based criteria, at each generation a
fitness score is assigned to each phenotype from 0.0 to 1.0. These are then used for
roulette wheel (fitness proportionate) selection [36], although in future tournament-based
selection may be implemented. The process at each generation is as follows:

1. Reset all fitness scores to zero.

2. If a manual selection is made, set the fitness score for all designs in that cluster to
1.0. If no performance-based criteria are specified, skip to roulette-wheel.
3. If one performance-based criteria is specified, then normalise performance values
for the whole population based on minimum and maximum values, and assign this
as the fitness. Note that if a performance value is to minimised, set fitness to 1-x.
If the fitness for any design is already 1.0 (due to manual selection) then do
nothing.
4. If two or more performance-based criteria are used, then normalise values and
take the weighted sum with equal weighting between criteria.

At present, multiple criteria are assumed an equal weighting and combined to a

single objective, a so-called ‘no-preference’ method. Future developments to include
Pareto front exploration between alternative weights could be implemented, however
careful consideration must be taken as this may bias any selection procedure towards
those measures that can be defined by metrics to the detriment of qualitative aspects
influencing manual selection. Maintaining that one could in theory evolve something that
is poorly performing for all performance-based objectives (i.e. nowhere near a Pareto
front), simply because it subjectively feels right, was considered important to the authors.

3.5. Evolution history

Biomorpher records the evolution history and displays this to the user, including optional
performance data. As the solution space could be completely unknown when initialising a
search, there is potential to steer evolution towards undesirable paths – indeed, this is
inevitable for any wide design exploration. With this in mind, some way to return to
previous generations and begin a new search branch becomes important. Figure 6 shows
how each population (in this simple example for exploring a textured Möbius band) is
displayed at each generation, with an option to reinstate previous populations to begin a
new search.

Figure 6. Search tree example. Each new search is formed from a previous population.

4. Application
A series of experiments were conducted to test the effectiveness of the tool in a variety of
situations from individual trials, workshops and real projects. The examples given in this
section involved defined parametric models (i.e. parameter based search space). Rather
than focusing on one particular use, the aim of these tests were to establish the benefits of
locating an IGA within a parametric design environment which could in theory lead to
many different types of application. Examples set out in sections 4.1 and 4.2 are work
solely by the authors, examples 4.3 and 4.4 the result of workshops, and examples 4.5
and 4.6 are real-world projects. The final example investigates the evolution of
parametric definitions themselves using a ‘Meta-Parametric’ encoding, more suited to the
earlier design stage.

4.1. Layout ‘optimisation’

Automating floor plan layouts has a long history in architectural computing, however
these have mostly focus on ascribing specific functions to spaces and/or specifying
target-based goals [37]. Whilst valuable, these studies can turn design into a series of
logical steps with pre-defined semantics that often run counter to the complexity of how
designers work in practice. One must strive to be fast and flexible when constructing rule
sets that may or may not have semantic meaning, or else derive meaning inductively
through their application, not a priori. This again highlights the benefits of basing
interactive evolution within a parametric modelling environment at the early design stage.

In this test, a simple arrangement of lines, non-descript rectangles and soft

landscaping features inspired by the work of architect Junya Ishigami were constructed
parametrically in order to quickly generate plan compositions. The model was controlled
by 156 parameters, in this case directly mapping to either the 2D location of points or
rectangular widths and heights, giving rise to a combinatorially rich design space.

An initial population of 100 random designs, with a decreasing mutation rate from
0.20 to 0.01 (shown to be effective for COGAs [38]) was trialed, with the results of one
example run shown in Figure 7. After three generations during the first evolutionary
branch (0), it was decided to return to the original population upon which two suitable
candidates (clusters) appeared that subjectively felt like a balanced composition of
elements, with the mutation rate reduced and arriving at a final design at generation 1.4.
Again, by basing the IGA within Grasshopper, parameters could then be manually
adjusted in the model following evolution, as shown in Figure 8. From constructing the
model, exploring through evolution, and post-production, the study took little more than
ten minutes to complete.
Figure 7. Evolution of Junya Ishigami inspired compositions with final design
highlighted.

Figure 8. Refining the evolutionary result manually using the parametric model.

4.2. Henry Moore sculptures

Combing the IGA within a parametric design software means other plug-ins and add-ons
can be used as part of the modelling process. In this example, a combination of Kangaroo
Physics [39] and marching cubes were combined to generate fleshed funicular sculptures
inspired by the artist Henry Moore. A surface area measurement was taken to give a
rough estimate of relative material cost.

The parametric setup consisted of a series of five points situated around a

perimeter curve are connected by lines, replaced with springs and form-found into
parabolic shapes similar to that described by Stasiuk et al. [35]. Parameters controlled the
location of the five boundary points and the thickness of the mesh. Genotype-phenotype
mapping in this example was ‘developmental’, between direct and indirect which helped
during evolution – i.e. a small mutation could sometimes give rise to a large phenotypic
change, but only rarely. An example evolutionary history is given in Figure 9, with three
outputs from separate evolutionary branches shown.

Figure 9. Evolving Henry Moore Sculptures by combining with Kangaroo 2 Physics.

4.3. CoOptimise workshop

As well as the various modelling benefits from situating Biomorpher within Grasshopper,
analysis plug-ins such as Karamba3D structural analysis tool [9] can be easily integrated.
This was investigated during the ‘CoOptimise’ student workshop at the 35th annual
eCAADe conference 2017, run by Mariam Khademi and Kristjan Nielsen. The resulting
in at structural layout following evolution was driven by both subjective and
performance-based criteria using the selection method outlined in Section 3.4. Figure 10
shows a screenshot from an initial set of designs, showing relative performance of each
shown by the strength of the coloured circles (a) and indicated numerically for a
highlighted design (b).

Feedback from the workshop indicated that participants struggled with the
intractability between generations. For example, if manually selecting a cluster centroid,
it was not guaranteed to be in the next generation due to the nature of fitness
proportionate selection. Incorporating elitism in the selection process could counter this
in future. In addition, it was found that starting with an initial random population caused
problems with intractability, leading to the authors to add a facility to copy the current
parameter state to the first generation following this workshop. In addition, the
Biomorpher component was modified to output the historic data of parameter states (in
addition to the display) within Grasshopper, thus allowing any past parameter states to be
recalled and calculated from historic data.

Figure 10. Screenshot taken from the ‘CoOptimise’ workshop, eCAADe conference,
Rome, 2017.

4.4. CITA workshop

In October 2017, 26 Masters level students took part in a week long workshop at the
Centre for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA), Copenhagen. During the
workshop, participants investigated steering the growth of plants using Vascular
Morphogenesis Controllers (VMCs) [40], with an agent based model simulated within
Grasshopper, and resultant forms explored using Biomorpher. Growth of the plants was
non-deterministic, with several possible outcomes of a similar nature displayed as the
phenotype to the user, rather than a single design.

It was found that the interactive method helped explore a wide design space by
automating multiple parameters associated with the VMCs during evolution, rather than
participants individually adjusting single parameter states. Detailed information on the
workshop is given by Heinrich et al. [41].

4.5. Pollen sculptures

Working alongside Format Engineers and the artist Lee Simmons in the UK, various
potential configurations of a private artwork in London were explored using Biomorpher.
The sculptures consist of stainless steel ellipsoids depicting pollen grains, welded
together to form large ‘swarm-like’ assemblies, hung within building atria. Minimising
bending moment in the structures was desirable, hence funicular shapes working
predominantly in axial tension were proposed.

A method for generating potential geometries similar to Simmons’ physical model

experiments was constructed within Grasshopper, using a combination of parametrically
defined points, subsequent Voronoi patterns, form-finding methods and meshing
techniques. Again, the genotype-phenotype mapping was developmental rather than
direct, which helped with adding variety to the design exploration.

Rather than act as an explicit constraint, the ‘pollen grain’ count was imported as
a performance measure, guiding the design search by minimising for one or two
generations should the sculptures become too large. Here, the mixed-mode selection
method proved useful, as indicated in generations 0.5 and 0.6 of the example (Figure 11).
This passage of performance-based evolution acted as negative feedback for the search,
with the average ‘pollen-grain count’ of the population brought back to a sensible level
without requiring a restart, with desirable individual members of the population still
being retained. It was found that whilst running the computational model gave rise to a
varied design search, however assessing phenotypes ideally required physical models be
constructed. In future, ease of exporting for 3d printing could be incorporated, although
in reality the practical time for manufacture would have to be considered.

Figure 11. Evolving hanging pollen-grain sculptures by the artist Lee Simmons.
4.6. Meta-Parametric example
So far the examples given have involved adjusting parameters in a static parametric
definition. Although in theory an infinite amount of designs can often be generated by a
parametric system, they are bounded by the topological structure of the graph. As Aish
and Woodbury [6] state: “nothing can be created in a parametric system for which a
designer has not explicitly externalised... this runs counter to the often-deliberate
cultivation of ambiguity that appears to be part of the healthy design process.”

In response, a previous paper by the first author [42] highlighted a possible

method of widening the design search by evolving whole parametric definitions
themselves, treating Grasshopper components as easily interchangeable shape-grammar
rules, similar to the visual approach set out by Strobbe et al. [43]. By opening up the
search to topological changes, the search space becomes broader than the examples given
in Sections 4.1 to 4.5, at the cost of problem ideation being harder to define. Grammar
rules become combinatorial, suited to a wider design space often required at the early
design stage. Despite promising results, difficulties arose in not being able to compare
phenotypes associatively, thus requiring integration with Biomorpher.

4.6.1. Encoding
Harding and Shepherd [44] describe a method of encoding a parametric model within a
single numeric list, opening the topology of a parametric model itself for evolution.
Encoding the model is similar to that used in Cartesian Genetic Programming (CGP)
[45], which has been shown to be suitable for evolutionary methods due to its
developmental mapping from genotype to phenotype. Such ‘Meta-Parametric’ methods
have recently been investigated Joyce and Ibrahim [46] for the combinatorial search of
parametric models.

The genome consists of three parts: External parameters (for example numeric
sliders, external geometry, etc.), the pool of components in the graph (nodes) and the
topological structure that forms associations between components (edges). These three
categories form the basis of the genotype used by a separate Grasshopper plug-in called
‘Embryo’ when constructing a parametric model:

1. Metric genes (double): control the parameter values for generated sliders and have
a direct numerical mapping. These can be either integer or floating point values.
These metric parameters are the first things generated by Embryo.
2. Function genes (integer): when a component is added to the graph, the function
genes controls the type of component is selected from the pool.
3. Topological genes (integer): map the output location for each component input
when forming the graph. Altering these genes changes the topology of the graph.

Figure 12 gives an outline of the process with a simple example. A component

pool is specified (a), which in addition to the genotype is used by the Embryo component
(b) to generate a parametric model (c). The functional and topological aspects of the
genotype are shown, indicating how each component input is mapped back to an output
as the model is constructed. More details on the method can be found in Harding and
Shepherd [44].

Figure 12. Encoding a parametric definition into a real number list

As an explicit embryogeny is used, the genotype is mapped directly onto the

topological structure of the graph, as opposed to an implicit method with low-level rules.
This leads to a closer mapping between the genotype and phenotype than with an implicit
embryogeny, assisting with evolvability [47]. The numeric parameters that encode the
graph now form the genotype used by Biomorpher. Judgement during evolution is now
involves two forms of phenotypic representation: the generated design and the graph
itself (i.e. the user may wish to retain legibility). Maintaining this engagement enables the
evolved models to be further developed manually following evolution.

4.6.2. Application
It was decided to return to an earlier study by the first author [42] and compare the search
process now using Biomorpher to establish whether the limitations identified had been
overcome - namely now using an interface that displayed populations associatively. In
the earlier study, a series of bespoke grammar rules were created, specific to a residential
project in collaboration with 3D Reid Architects, London. As with genetic programming,
the grammar rules were both parametric and combinatorial, hence offering a wider design
space than that enabled by parameters alone. Importantly, the rules could be formed
bespoke to the project during an early design team meeting, which were then
encapsulated in bespoke Grasshopper components (Figure 13).
Figure 13. Two residential blocks (a, b) and circulation link bridge (c).

Parametric definitions generated contained 9 numeric parameters and 16

components, with massing designs evolved according to qualitative judgment and
quantitative measures. Performance criteria indicating total number of apartments and
proportion with adequate access to daylight were included, helping to nudge the
evolution to approximately 500 apartments. Figure 14. shows a typical evolution history,
with initial (a) and final (b) parametric definitions shown for the population. An initial
mutation rate of 0.20 was used, which was gradually reduced to 0.05 until generation 5,
whereby the rate was returned to 0.20 as the variety of designs had become stagnant. It
was found that including crossover with this particular method of encoding led to
frequent disruptive changes to the phenotype (likely due to the mapping technique), and
hence mutation alone was used.
Figure 14. Massing study evolution with initial (a) and final (b) parametric definitions.

The resulting massing studies and parametric definitions were once again simple
to manipulate manually following evolution, as the complexity of the graphs was kept
relatively simple – indeed graph complexity became part of the evaluation itself.
Increasing the component number decreases legibility to the user. With this in mind, a
shape grammar that included iteration or recursion, without requiring a component be
used multiple times in the same graph would help to increase legibility and reduce the
genotype size. As opposed to the earlier study without Biomorpher [42], associative
evaluation of phenotypes was possible without iterating through each possibility thus
enabling a more fluid experience during evolution.

One of the issues identified during the study was that the cluster centroids did not
fully represent the nature of the population as a whole. For example, if in a total
population of 100 designs, 70 of these were very similar they were then only represented
by a single design in the phenotype display. As noted by Bonham and Parmee [38, p269],
the sampling nature “can lead to promoting over-zealous exploration of areas that do not
lie within any of the defined high performance regions”. This lead to the most useful
setup being a population of just twelve designs (one per cluster) being used in favour of
enabling any performance based optimisation benefitting from a large population.
Potential methods to counter this issue are discussed in Section 5.1.

4.7. Discussion
The examples given are aimed to highlight the versatility of the tool for parametric
design, rather than focus on one particular application. The ability to display multiple
models in parallel enhances the Grasshopper user environment and necessary for
assessing phenotypes. Some limitations during these tests were highlighted and
addressed, such as establishing a predefined initial population. Others require further
research: for example, it was found that despite selecting a design, it may get replaced in
the next generation due to fitness proportionate selection. Here, incorporating elitism
perhaps only for those designs explicitly selected (i.e. cluster centroids) would seem to be
a possible step forward and will be discussed further in Section 5.1.

Biomorpher can be used at a variety of design stages, from exploring existing

parametric models in new ways, to exploring early stage massing concepts. In the final
example, the use of Biomorpher in combination with a meta-parametric approach enabled
a wider combinatorial design space to be explored, albeit with a constraint on the
complexity of the graph for future legibility.

5. Conclusion
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the benefits of using interactive evolution
(including optional performance optimisation) within a parametric design environment.
The authors have developed the software Biomorpher, a plug-in for Rhino Grasshopper
that allows the non-expert to engage in such evolutionary methods within an environment
that already boasts many modelling and analysis native tools and third-party plug-ins.

Two types of examples have been shown, for parameter-based exploration and
exploration of parametric definitions themselves using a ‘meta-parametric’ approach
better suited to the early design stage. It was found that the IGA works effectively for a
wide range of situations with graph-based parametric definitions, due to their often
developmental mapping between genotype and phenotype and their flexibility of use;
before, during and after evolution.

5.1. Outlook
Biomorpher is an ongoing project, with the results of the initial experiments informing
the future of the approach. Any future enhancements should strike a balance between
‘feature creep’ and maintaining intuition ahead of a crowded user interface, however
future possible developments include the following:
  Incorporating multi-objective methods with interactive selection could be
explored, whilst noting the dangers of preferencing measurable objectives as
discussed in Section 3.4. At present an equal weighted-sum approach is used.
 As identified in Section 4.6.2, COGAs tended to give equal weighting to a single
design if it was unique rather than adequately bias many similar designs. An
associative method of dimensionality reduction of the parameter space would be a
possible solution to this, as opposed to discrete cluster methods. Self-organising
maps, implemented for example by Amor and Rettinger [48] for IGAs, and
Principal Component Analysis as used by Talton et al. [49] in displaying large
populations of tree designs are possible alternatives. These methods could also be
used to select a large group of designs for high fitness, rather than the current
‘checkbox’ approach.
 As noted in the examples in Section 4, in order to address the issue with lost
designs even after selection, implementing elitism, either at the cluster level or
individual designs, may be beneficial.
 Investigate clustering of phenotypes based on notional performance, in addition to
parameter space. As noted, one must be careful not to overemphasise quantitative
metrics over qualitative measures with this approach.
 Include recursive structures in the generation of parametric definitions to reduce
the genotype size.
 Crossover causes a larger than expected disruption when used in combination
with generating parametric definitions. This was likely due to the CGP method of
encoding and using mutation alone may be more suitable approach in future in
line with other CGP applications [50].
 As mentioned in Section 4.5, incorporating physical models in the selection
process as an alternative form of representation. As 3d printing is likely to be too
slow, a form of augmented reality may be a viable compromise.

As a final thought, by locating an IGA within a parametric design environment,

models and rules can be easily interchanged to create novel and interesting evolutionary
processes that include a variety of disciplines. However, one must acknowledge that there
will always be limitations to an entirely computer based approach to architectural design,
especially if enacted using 2D interfaces [51]. Manual selection must be informed by the
experience of the architect with influence from mixed modes of representation, such as
physical models, collage, sketches, etc. Rather than reduce design to a systematic
process, parametric design methods that encompass a wider approach to architectural
representation appear to be the next step going forward.

Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank those that have helped shape Biomorpher from 2016 to
present: Professor Larry Bull (UWE), Mary-Katherine Heinrich (CITA), Stephen
Melville (Format Engineers), Kristjan Nielsen, Mariam Khademi, Lee Simmons,
Ramboll Computational Design, Foster + Partners ARD, 3D Reid Architects, and Bjarke
Ingels Group. This work was supported internally through the University of The West of
England Early Career Researcher Development Award 2016/17.
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