Refinement in the Function-Behaviour-Structure Framework

TL;DR

This paper extends the function-behaviour-structure framework to incorporate refinement, enabling multi-level abstraction in design processes for managing complexity.

Contribution

It introduces a method to connect multiple models within the framework, allowing for hierarchical and scalable design refinement.

Findings

Framework supports multiple levels of abstraction

Enables hierarchical refinement in design models

Flexible extension to more than two levels of abstraction

Abstract

We introduce refinement in the function-behaviour-structure framework for design, as described by John Gero, in order to deal with complexity. We do this by connecting the frameworks for the design of two models, one the refinement of the other. The result is a framework for the design of an object that supports levels of abstraction in the design. This framework can easily be extended for the design of an object on more than two levels of abstraction.