Computability of Design

This collection of papers probes the major questions facing the entire field of design computation. The issues discussed explore the role that computational aids have played in such "hard" design disciplines as electrical engineering and architectural design, why CAD has succeeded in improving the state of the art in some areas but not in others, and how computer aids can enhance the processes and products in all related fields, if at all. These topics are treated in four sections: models of design, presenting general models, the fundamental principles underlying each, and the cognitive and creative processes involved in CAD; design knowledge, which includes discussions on identification and possible computational representation of design concepts; computational design methods, presenting several approaches to computer simulation, their limitations, and their potential extensions; and design assistance, focusing on integration of computational design aids with traditional practices. Representing the work of specialists from a wide range of CAD specialties, the arguments and discussions present conflicting views, enabling readers to see each subject from different vantage points.
All topics rely on recent advances in artificial intelligence, geometric modeling, and design methods research.