This work aims to use the multi-agent systems for intelligent design. It consists here to coordinate the behavior of intelligent artificial agents, in order to help the architect at the first moments of the conception. We proceed by modelling the architectural terms of reference, using the concept of primary architectural system, to manage the initial informations. This modelling process proposes a new formulation of this system based on the agent paradigm. 
The architectural conception passes through a preliminary phase witch consists in the formulation of terms of reference. These terms orient the architectural production and therefore they are essential in the process of the architect's information systems. In the framework of our study, we are interested in the artificial intelligence that actually constitutes a promising solution for the management of complex problem. Indeed, the contribution of the artificial intelligence in the field of information management, such as the constraints satisfaction, or in the field of the forms recognition is important. "EsQUIsE" for example is a software based on a multi-agent system for the interpretation of architecture sketches. So, it seems today possible to reduce the gap between the capacity of the computer tools and the architect's activities. 
This paper presents a multi-agent model for the formulation and management of architectural terms of reference. This system must be able to cooperate with the architect in order to produce synthetic information aiming to facilitate the progress of his thoughts and to make him seize the space in total coherence with his creative gait. It is not about automating the architect's tasks but to exploit the complementarity of the human intelligence and the artificial system, to create a helpful tool for the conception. 
This paper proposes a formulation of the architectural primary system using the agent paradigm. The architectural primary system is modeled by a multi-agents system which we propose to present its functionality and to debate its contribution for the formulation of the architectural terms of reference in an empiric situation. 
We can consider a work on the knowledge formalisation, the modularity and the evolutivity of this system as well as the development of modules of expertise of the architectonic, functional and morphic production agents.
