Accelerating architectural workflows through automated code compliance

Abstract

August2025School of ArchitectureAs cities become more interconnected, the government plays an increasingly vital role in shaping the relationship between clients and architects. This thesis explores how data and workflows are shared across these three key stakeholders, emphasizing the city’s impact through zoning laws, building codes, and regulatory processes. To address the challenges at these intersections, a set of digital tools was developed. Among them, CodeCheck—a Grasshopper plugin that addresses the legal and administrative setbacks caused by non-compliant designs— stands out for enabling real-time compliance checks directly within architectural design software. By automating zoning and code validation, it helps architects stay focused on design while ensuring projects meet legal requirements. CodeCheck also aims to incorporate generative design capabilities that respond to site boundary conditions, enabling more context-sensitive spatial solutions. To support this functionality, the system introduces mMake, a generative tool that produces compliant building models in real time. Future improvements include expanding the platform beyond New York City to support a wider range of building codes and jurisdictions. Ultimately, this research shows that compliance is not just about rules—it’s key to building better cities. By closing the gap between design and regulation, CodeCheck improves efficiency, supports accountability, and contributes to smarter, more sustainable urban development.M