Project CALC explores the application of computational law – the representation of legal rules in electronic form — within the field of building design and construction. CALC will examine the degree to which existing laws governing the domain of building design can modeled within computer systems and made to interact with systems currently used in the field. Existing building construction projects are covered by numerous laws and regulations, including local building codes, federal environmental rules, and accessibility laws such as the Americans With Disabilities Act. The project will examine whether computer systems can assist design professionals in knowing and complying with these rules. CALC will also explore legal theoretical problems related to the representation of laws in computer systems, and propose principles for selecting and creating such laws. CALC is a interdisciplinary effort involving researchers and research from the fields of law, computer science, and civil engineering.

Project leader: Prof. Harry Surden

The descriptions of current and past projects of CodeX non-residential fellows are provided to illustrate the kind of work our non-residential fellows are carrying out. These projects are listed here for informational purposes only and are not endorsed by CodeX, Stanford Law School, or Stanford University.