MORPHODESIGN EXPLORER
Computational design research
Rhino + Grasshopper · v2.1.0
RESEARCH SOFTWARE / VERSION 2.1DESIGN EXPLORATION · MULTI-OBJECTIVE DESIGN

Morpho
Design Explorer

An environment for computational
design exploration.

Abstract

Morpho is a research-oriented design exploration tool for Rhino and Grasshopper. It generates parameter combinations, records alternatives and their evaluated performance, and supports the selection of parents for further exploration.

The approach brings quantitative criteria and qualitative judgment into an iterative process. A retained population allows designers to revisit previous solutions and revise the direction of the search.

Research context & methodology
KEYWORDSEvolutionary computationParametric designHuman–computer interactionVisual analytics
01 / DESIGN SPACEFROM A MODEL TO A POPULATION
Nine arched-truss wireframes illustrating variations in rise and subdivision
Figure 1. A family of alternatives produced by varying geometric parameters. This original schematic illustrates a design space; it is not a Morpho experiment or a structural-performance result.

Design alternatives as
a field of inquiry.

A parametric model defines the family of designs that can be explored. Morpho samples that space and associates each saved alternative with its inputs, numerical outputs and visual records.

The resulting population supports questions about relationships among variables, competing objectives and architectural qualities. Performance values come from the designer’s own model and analysis tools.

Explore the geometric constructionINTERACTIVE FIGURE +

Geometric demonstration in arbitrary units. These controls change the drawn structure only; they do not run Morpho, evaluate loads or calculate fitness.

02 / METHODDESIGNER-DIRECTED SEARCH

A retained population.
An iterative selection process.

The manual describes the method as a Non-Destructive Dynamic Population Genetic Algorithm (NDDP-GA). Saved alternatives remain available as the designer’s selection criteria develop. [2]

  1. 01

    Define

    Variables, bounds
    and evaluation criteria

  2. 02

    Generate

    Random sampling
    or selected parents

  3. 03

    Record

    Input values, outputs
    and design images

  4. 04

    Interpret

    Numerical comparison
    and qualitative review

Quantitative assessment

Record quantities supplied by the analysis model, such as mass, displacement, area or member length. Express selection criteria through numerical conditions, rankings and logical combinations.

Qualitative assessment

Review the spatial and visual characteristics of alternatives. Select saved solutions by ID when design intent cannot be represented adequately by a single numerical objective.

Read the method and its limitations →
03 / VISUAL ANALYSISCONNECTING FORM AND DATA

Examine the population
at several scales.

Move between images of individual solutions and the numerical relationships across a population. The viewer provides complementary representations rather than a single composite score.

Visualization reference →
04 / SOFTWARE & DOCUMENTATIONMORPHO 2.1.0

Tools for a documented study.

A

Component reference

Seven core components and nine fitness-filter components. Inputs, outputs, expression syntax and selection behavior.

B

Experimental workflow

Installation, slider-defined parameters, data aggregation, image capture, saved populations and subsequent runs.

C

Software and research materials

macOS and Windows distributions, the illustrated user manual, publication details and downloadable citations.

SCOPE

Morpho supports exploration and comparison. Analysis solvers are supplied by the user. The current software does not include an automated TRIZ engine or automatic Pareto-front extraction. Results require interpretation within the assumptions of the underlying model.

05 / SELECTED REFERENCESRESEARCH CONTEXT
  1. [1]
    Khodadadi, A., & von Buelow, P. (2022). Design exploration by using a genetic algorithm and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). Automation in Construction, 141, 104354.Research on combining qualitative and quantitative goals in conceptual design.
  2. [2]
    Khodadadi, A. (2026). Morpho 2.0 User Manual. First edition, October 2026. 35 pages.The manual retains its published title. Software distributed here is version 2.1.0.
Publication records & citation files →