Computer assistance in designing from precedent

This paper is an exploration of how different computer techniques can be brought to bear in the analysis of catalogues of design precedents. The techniques include automatic classification, various kinds of frequency analysis, clustering, and connectionist techniques. Connectionist techniques are demonstrated as forming the basis of a useful design tool that facilitates a rudimentary kind of design dialogue. This dialogue involves a kind of exploration within the constraints of an atomistic representation schema in which key features are determined a priori.