In an embodiment, a method for optimizing an integrated circuit physical design for an integrated circuit. A physical design graph includes a plurality of physical design sub-configurations, each including a placement of a group of physical cells and having annotated characteristics. The method includes identifying, in the integrated circuit physical design, a first physical design sub-configuration including a first placement of a first group of the physical cells and having first annotated characteristics, the first annotated characteristics being outside target characteristics. The method includes selecting from the physical design graph, based on the first group of the physical cells and the target characteristics, at least a second physical design sub-configuration including a second placement of the first group of the physical cells and being within the target characteristics. The method includes replacing the first physical design sub-configuration in the integrated circuit physical design with the second physical design sub-configuration.