Experimentality in architecture: a form generation model based on topographic data through self-organizing design thinking

Throughout history, nature has played a central role in shaping human practices and has remained a vital source of inspiration for architecture and design. The integration of nature-inspired methods with technology has expanded design possibilities in form, material, and structure. Recent advances in generative design emphasize variability, unpredictability, and experimentation. Recently, generative design has gained prominence through methods that embrace variability, uncertainty, and experimental thinking. Cellular Automata offers a powerful means to simulate nature's complexity within digital environments, enabling innovative formal explorations. This study examines generative design at both theoretical and experimental levels, focusing on the intersection of geomorphology and architecture. The Süleymaniye District (Gümüşhane) was chosen as a case study for its rich historical, cultural, and topographic context. A digital generative model based on self-organization principles was developed and assessed through topographic comparisons. The design process was structured in four stages, with each phase generating and evaluating forms alongside alternative production strategies. Positioned within 21st-century architectural discourse, this approach aims to cultivate a generative, multi-layered design language that contributes to future architectural practice.