FloorForge - prototype of an apartment layout generator add-on for ArchiCAD 29
Hi,
I've been working on a native ArchiCAD add-on that automatically generates apartment floor plan layouts directly in the model. Sharing it here to get feedback from people who actually use ArchiCAD in residential practice.
What it does (current prototype):
- Click inside a closed space → add-on detects the apartment outline automatically (rectangle, trapezoid, L-shape, U-shape)
- Solver places rooms according to Polish building regulation minimums (WT 2002) - minimum areas, widths, proportions
- Generates 3–5 layout variants, navigable with arrow keys in a modeless palette
- One click inserts into the model: partition walls, doors with swing direction, zones with room names, and basic furniture - beds in bedrooms, kitchen layout, bathroom fixtures, sofa in the living room
Current limitations I'm aware of:
The generation algorithm still needs optimization - the solver logic works in principle but room placement isn't always satisfying, especially in irregular outlines. Some variants are better than others and I haven't yet nailed the rules for what makes a layout genuinely good vs. technically valid. This is the area I'm actively working on.
Planned next:
- facade recognition (rooms requiring windows placed at exterior walls)
- template library based on real Polish residential projects
- stretch engine for adapting reference layouts to new outlines
- automatic floor division - define the apartment mix (e.g. 2×studio + 1×2-bed + 1×3-bed), add-on divides the floor plate and generates the complete layout
Why I'm posting:
I'm curious whether this kind of tool would actually be useful in your workflow, and if so - what would need to work better before you'd reach for it. Honest reactions welcome, including "this isn't a problem I have."
Happy to answer questions or show more of how it works.
