We deal with the problem of optimal dimensioning and placement of rooms in a placement space (we find also space planning) of one-family dwelling, offices or public facilities... We present a new approach of architectural CAD softwares which starts with functional design specifications in terms of constraints over rooms. The originality of this work consists in proposing a three-level placement model: functional, topological and numerical. In a second step, the software ARCHiPLAN that we have developed enumerates all the topologically different solutions, without presuming any precise definitive dimension. These solutions correspond to the sketching step that an architect carries out from the functional specifications during a predesign phase. Next, the architect may evolve in this topological solution space, which is rather of small size; afterwards, he can choose some of them for a more detailed study. For each topological solution, the best dimensional solution is determined from cost, useful surface and grid criteria. This approach, which combines object-oriented programming and constraint programming techniques, avoids the combinatorial explosion problem thanks to this three-level model when suiting the design practice by a functional and gradual method. The software ARCHiPLAN has already proved its robustness, its pertinence, its flexibility and its speed over numerous examples.

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