A method for generating a physical integrated circuit layout, using the similarity between a template and the physical layout as a metric. This automated template-driven layout methodology creates a physical integrated circuit layout which approximates the specified template as closely as practicably possible. The similarity of the positioning of circuit elements in a physical layout is improved with regard to the positioning of those same circuit elements in a template. The circuit elements' placement is incrementally improved by attaching a cost to each placement, with a lower cost reflecting a better match between circuit element placement in the physical layout and the template. Fuzzy logic concepts are employed to determine the cost of a given layout.