Generalized topology optimization for architectural design

In recent years, topology optimization has become a popular strategy for creating elegant and innovative forms for architectural design. However, the use of existing topology optimization techniques in practical applications, especially for large-scale projects, is rare because the generated forms often cannot satisfy all the design requirements of architects and engineers. This paper identifies the limitations of commonly used assumptions in topology optimization and highlights the importance of having multiple solutions. We show how these limitations could be removed and present various techniques for generating diverse and competitive structural designs that are more useful for architects. Unlike conventional topology optimization, we may include load and support conditions as additional design variables to enhance the structural performance substantially. Furthermore, we show that varying the design domain provides a plethora of opportunities to achieve more-desirable design outcomes.