Shape grammars come in a variety of forms. Algebras of shapes have been defined for spatial elements of different kinds, as well as for shapes augmented with varying attributes, allowing for grammar forms to be expressed in terms of a direct product of basic algebras. This algebraic approach is extended here to the algebraic derivation of combinations of basic shape algebras with attribute algebras. This algebraic abstraction at the same time serves as a procedural abstraction, giving insights into the modular implementation of a general shape grammar interpreter for different grammar forms.

We revisit two case studies that adopt a shape grammar to relate different architectural styles. Both adopt a description scheme, augmenting the shape grammar, as the main vehicle for relating different styles, however, they both present the description rules only conceptually. Following a description grammar interpreter and its notation for descriptions and description rules, we explore a valid explication of both description schemes. This exploration serves three purposes: firstly, as a demonstration of the notation adopted; secondly, as an evaluation of the applicability of the description grammar interpreter and its notation to these case studies; and, thirdly, as a demonstration of the explication of description grammars from concept to computation.

A description grammar, in conjunction with a shape grammar, serves to generate verbal descriptions of designs, next to the spatial descriptions. These verbal descriptions can also assist in guiding the generative process. This paper revisits applications of description grammars found in literature and demonstrates how they can be recast and redeveloped to make use of a general notation and implementation for description grammars. The review of this notation was the topic of a previous paper; this paper is both meant as an illustration and as a confirmation of those review analysis results.

A description grammar, in conjunction with a shape grammar, serves to generate verbal descriptions of designs, next to the spatial descriptions. These verbal descriptions can also assist in guiding the generative process. This paper presents a general notation for descriptions and description rules that accounts, extensively if not entirely, for many of the applications of description grammars found in literature. Specifically, a review of the notation with respect to these description schemes supports the explication of its strengths and limitations and the identification of future work. A follow-up paper revisits selected applications of description grammars and demonstrates the applicability of this general notation to these case studies.