Abstract
A representative sample of traditional Damascene houses is studied in terms of its compositional language. The sample is visually, geometrically, and mathematically analyzed to conclude the compositional and proportional systems as well as the construction numerical constraints that regulate its configurations. Based on the visual, geometric, and mathematical analyses, a shape grammar is developed. The scope of this study is limited to traditional Damascene houses that are centered about one courtyard and that are regular in shape. The grammar developed in this research is found to have associations with the construction span that was used to construct the houses in the study sample. The grammar is applied to derive new house plans in order to test its generative and derivative powers.