Published Paper Details:

Contemporary masonry design exhibits a fundamental methodological tension between continuum-based optimization techniques and the discrete, modular nature of brick construction. This paper presents a comprehensive theoretical framework that systematizes the integration of parametric geometry generation, structural performance evaluation, density-based topology optimization, and adaptive discretization within a unified conceptual pipeline. Rather than treating topology optimization as a post-hoc analytical tool, the framework positions it as an active design generator embedded within an iterative feedback cycle. The work examines the theoretical foundations of bridging the discrete-continuum gap through recursive parameter coupling, wherein discrete-modular constraints inform continuum optimization objectives, and conversely, topology-driven efficiency targets guide discrete reconfiguration logic. The methodology is organized across two conceptual phases: (1) Morphology Selection, addressing the parametric search for geometrically feasible and structurally competent designs, and (2) Boundary Optimization and Discretization, where continuum material distribution informs discrete assembly rules. This framework addresses a persistent gap in computational masonry literature: the lack of a systematic, generalizable approach to preserve structural performance during the conversion from continuous to discrete representations. The paper formalizes the theoretical logic underlying such integration, elaborates the algorithmic workflow, and discusses implications for future architectural optimization research.