Shape Computation: Fifty Years, 1972–2022 - Mathematics and the Built Environment

This open access volume gives a panorama of Shape Computation, exploring its diverse design practices and interdisciplinary applications. Originating in the seminal 1972 article by George Stiny and James Gips that introduced shape grammars as a new computational paradigm, Shape Computation challenges traditional notions of visual and symbolic calculation, particularly in art and design. As we mark the 50th anniversary (1972-2022) of Stiny and Gips’s essay, this volume reflects on Shape Computation's past, present, and future.

While this theory has flourished in recent years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), contributions and applications have come from institutions globally. This approach offers an alternative paradigm for design computing, emphasizing generative descriptions through shapes and rules over symbolic instructions. With examples spanning shape grammars, art, architecture, design theory, and more, this volume provides insights into the evolution and significance of this computational approach.

Experts and students will appreciate it as a comprehensive introduction to Shape Computation and a valuable historical reference.