Parametric Massing Generator

The Parametric Massing Generator investigates the translation of zoning language into building massing at three scales: rectangular lots, irregular parcels, and subdivided urban blocks. Its objective is to make the relationship between written constraints and permitted spatial envelopes available for inspection by designers.

System Architecture

The system extracts dimensions, setbacks, height limits, and floor space ratio from a bylaw excerpt, retaining a source quotation and confidence value for each constraint. It generates a corresponding three-dimensional envelope, then uses a separate review pass to compare extracted constraints with the source text and propose corrections. Conversational revisions can change an individual parameter while preserving other design conditions. A built-in example represents the conditional rules of Vancouver's R1-1 zoning district, including rental incentives and thresholds for frontage and lot area.

Implementation

For convex parcels, the buildable footprint is computed as an inward polygon offset through half-plane intersection. Urban Block mode subdivides a larger site and interprets directional instructions to assign residential, commercial, administrative, or park uses according to normalized parcel positions. The interface displays a three-dimensional model alongside a color-coded plan and records each extraction, review, and revision in a generation log.

Project Outcomes

The Three.js implementation provides geometric controls without requiring an AI API key. Claude-based source extraction, independent review, conversational refinement, and parcel classification are available with an Anthropic key. The resulting prototype exposes both generated geometry and the associated interpretation process for inspection.