Towards the Integration of Case-Based,
Schema-Based and Model-Based Reasoning for
Supporting Complex Design Tasks*

Brigitte Bartsch-Sprl

BSR Consulting GmbH, Wirtstrasse 38, D-81539 Mnchen, Germany



Abstract. This paper presents an approach of how to build bridges between 
case-based and model-based reasoning. Unlike other approaches,
these bridges do not intend to surmount the whole abstraction distance 
between concrete cases and generic models in one step. Instead
they introduce and use a web of supporting columns which consist of useful 
intermediate representations called schemata, prototypes, patterns,
templates or whatever is a suitable characterisation for their functional
role in the design process.
The paper begins with a short summary of our knowledge acquisition
experiences in a building design domain which led to the introduction of
topological schemata. It continues with some concrete examples for the
representation and integrated use of these different kinds of knowledge
chunks introduced and gives a short overview of the state of our current
implementation. In the end the paper summarises the main benefits of
integrated case-/schema-/model-based approaches.
References

1.	Akin, .: Expertise of the Architect. In: Rychener, M. (ed.): Expert Systems for
Engineering Design. Academic Press, London (1988) 173196.
2.	Alexander, C., Ishikawa, S., Silverstein, M., Jacobson, M., Fiksdahl-King, I., Angel,
S.: A Pattern Language. Oxford University Press, New York (1977).
3.	Althoff, K.-D., Barletta, R., Manago, M., Auriol, E.: A Review of Industrial Case-Based 
Reasoning Tools. AI Intelligence, Oxford (1995).
4.	Bakhtari, S., Bartsch-Sprl, B.: Bridging the Gap between AI Technology and
Design Requirements. In: Gero, 3. 5., Sudweeks, F. (eds): Artificial Intelligence in
Design 94. Kluwer, Dordrecht (1994) 753768.
5.	Bakhtari, S., Oertel, W.: DOM-ArC: An Active Decision Support System for Quality 
Assessment of Cases. In: Aamodt, A., Veloso, M. (eds): Proceedings ICCBR-95.
Springer, Heidelberg (1995), to appear.
6.	Bakhtari, S., Bartsch-Sprl, B., Oertel, W., Eltz, U.: DOM: Domain Ontology
Modelling for Architectural and Engineering Design. Fabel-Report Nr. 33, GMD,
Sankt Augustin (1995).
7.	Bartsch-Sprl, B.: KI-Methoden fr innovative Design-Domnen. In: Richter, M.,
Maurer, F. (eds.): Expertensysteme 95. Infix, Sankt Augustin (1995) 137151.
8.	Bartsch-Sprl, B., Bakhtari, S.: A Support System for Building Design  Experiences 
and Convictions from the FABEL Project. In: Proceedings of the Lancaster
International Workshop on Engineering Design. Springer, London (1995), to appear.
9.	Brner, K. (ed.): Modules for Design Support. FABEL-Report No. 35, GMD, Sankt
Augustin (1995).
10.	Fabel-Consortium: A Survey of FABEL. Fabel-Report Nr. 2, GMD, Sankt Augustin
(1993).
11.	Gamma, E., Helm, R., Johnson, R., Vlissides, J.: Design Patterns  Elements of
Reusable Object-Oriented Software. Addison-Wesley, Reading (1995).
12.	Goel, A.K.: Integration of Case-Based Reasoning and Model-Based Reasoning for
Adaptive Design Problem Solving. Ph. D. Dissertation, Ohio State University,
Columbus (1989).
13.	Grther, W.: Computing Distances between Attribute-value Representations in an
Associative Memory. In: Voss, A. (ed.): Similarity Concepts and Retrieval Methods.
FABEL-Report No. 13, GMD, Sankt Augustin (1994) 1225.
14.	HaIler, F.: ARMILLA - ein Installationsmodell. Institut fr Baugestaltung,
Baukonstruktion und Entwerfen, Universitt Karlsruhe (1985).
15.	Hedberg, S.R.: Design of a Lifetime, BYTE 10 (1994) 103106.
16.	Kolodner, J.: Case-Based Reasoning. Morgan Kaufmann, San Mateo (1993).
17.	Pree, W.: Design Patterns for Object-Oriented Software Development. ACM Press,
New York (1994).
18.	Schaaf, J.W.: Gestalts in CAD-plans: Analysis of a Similarity Concept. In: Gero,
J.S., Sudweeks, F. (eds.): Artificial Intelligence in Design94. Kluwer, Dordrecht
(1994) 437446.
19.	Schaaf, J.W.: Fish and sink: An anytime-algorithm to retrieve adequate cases.
In: Aamodt, A., Veloso, M. (eds): Proceedings ICCBR-95. Springer, Heidelberg
(1995), to appear.
20.	Turner, R.M.: Adaptive Reasoning for Real-World Problems: A Schema-Based Approach. 
Lawrence Erlbaum, Hillsdale (1994).
21.	Voss, A.: The need for knowledge acquisition in case-based reasoning - some experiences 
from an architectural domain. In: Cohn, A. (ed.): Proceedings ECAI94.
Wiley & Sons, Chichester (1994) 463467.
22.	Voss, A. et al.: Retrieval of similar layouts - about a very hybrid approach in
FABEL. In: Gero, J.S., Sudweeks, F. (eds.): Artificial Intelligence in Design94.
Kluwer, Dordrecht (1994) 625640.
