Structural　optimization　is　an　active　research　branch　in　engineering,　especially　dealing　with　complex　and　concomitant　aspects　likewise　in　seismic　design.　Capacity　design　criteria　for　seismic　design　and　detailing　must　be　respected,　e.g.　according　to　the　＇strong-column　weak-beam＇　principle.　In　steel　structures,　the　choice　of　a　specific　beam-column　joint　typology　may　strongly　affect　its　behavior　under　horizontal　actions.　In　this　study,　the　authors　investigated　the　role　of　beam-column　joint　stiffness　within　an　optimization　paradigm　related　to　steel　structure　frames.　Specifically,　the　authors　adopted　simplified　modeling　assumptions　for　analysis　under　lateral　loads　in　the　Python　environment　and　Computer　and　Structures　inc.　SAP2000　finite　element　software.　Indeed,　the　main　focus　hitherto　is　oriented　toward　the　problem　definition　accounting　for　geometric　constraints　and　beam-column　rotational　stiffness　capacity.　Future　investigations　will　adopt　more　realistic　modeling　procedures　accounting　for　the　typical　non-linearities　involved　during　strong　dynamic　actions.　©　2024,　The　Author(s),　under　exclusive　license　to　Springer　Nature　Switzerland　AG.