Defining a design problem as goals, rules and variables so software can generate and compare many options, and what it needs from BIM data to be useful.
Computational design describes a design as rules and parameters instead of fixed geometry; generative design goes further and lets software create many options from those rules, score them against goals and show the best trade-offs. It is used for things like building massing, structural grids, façade panel layouts, room arrangements and site layouts. The designer's job shifts from drawing one option to defining the problem well and choosing among good options.
A residential developer explores layouts on a tight urban site. A generative script varies block positions, heights and orientations within planning limits, scoring each option on units, daylight to living rooms and overshadowing of neighbours. The team reviews the 10 best options with the planner; the chosen one has 6% more units than the hand-drawn scheme with better daylight. The BIM model for the chosen option starts from the script's geometry, so areas and unit counts carry straight into the schedule.
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