TOA2 Preliminary Examination Paper

SIMPLICITY AND COMPLEXITY

Parametricism
Introduction
Parametricism was first enunciated by its author, Patrik Schumacher, at the 11th Venice
Architecture Biennale in the year 2008. This event has remained predominantly confined
within architecture. Beyond architectural circles, ‘style’ is visually the only way through
which architecture is observed and recognized. ‘Therefore, the announcement of
Parametricism involves two simultaneous discursive moves: the presentation of a new vital
architectural movement and the reassertion of the concept of style(s) as valid and productive
category of discursive orientation and self-description’ (Schumacher, P. 2012). The
contemporary avant-garde architecture and urbanism engages in an ongoing development and
innovative adaptation. It is a ‘continuous differentiation’; It is the key slogan of the style. The
development of Parametricism is by the use of parametric design tools and programs that
allows precise computations and execute of intricate designs. It is a style that has its roots in
the digital animation techniques of the mid-1900s and has been developing over the past 15
years succeeding Modernism, in which Postmodernism and Deconstructivism have been
transitional event that lead to this new, long wave of research and innovation.

Discussion
- Main ideas of the Style
Styles understood as design research programs must guide the understanding of fucntions as
well as the elaboration of forms. The following are the defining heuristics of Parametricism that
comprise both the negative and positive heuristics respectivley; • Negative heuristics (taboos): avoid
rigid geometric primitives such as squares, triangles and circles; avoid simple repetition of elements,
avoid juxtaposition of unrelated elements or systems. • Positive heuristics (dogmas): consider all
forms to be parametrically malleable; differentiate gradually (at varying rates), inflect and correlate
systematically.
Parametric design is an emerging concept of design process in which the parameters are
interconnected as a system. Parametric design creates systematic, adaptive variation, continuous
differentiation, and dynamic figuration from the scale of urbanism to the scale of architecture, interior
and furniture
As a computer based design approach, Parametric Design treats the geometric properties of the
design as variables. The design processes includes dimensions, angles and geometric properties (like
curvature) remain malleable. For instance an array of façade components - complete with glazed
openings, frames and fixing details - might be made to populate the surface of a volume with
changing curvature. This way of building up a design’s complexity and the detailed resolution of the
design can progress while simultaneously maintaining the malleability to adapt to changing
requirements as new information is fed into the design process (Schumacher, P. 2014).
All architectural elements and compositions of Parametricism are subject to modulation via
variables. This implies a fundamental shift within the basic elements of architecture. Instead of the
classical and modern reliance on ideal, inherently rigid geometrical figures like straight lines,
rectangles, cubes, cylinders, pyramids (roofs), and spheres (domes), the new primitives of
parametricism are topo-logical rather than geo-metric, and thus inherently pliable: splines, nurbs,
subdivs, particle-spring systems, and agent based systems.

Parametricism is the contemporary style that is advancing its design agenda on the basis of
parametric design techniques. It continues to evolve and adapt rapidly due to its ongoing culture of
innovation though research and experimentation.

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 TOA2 Preliminary Examination Paper

”There are 360° so why stick to one?” - Zaha Hadid.

Zaha Hadid’s philosophy describes of what Parametricism, as a style is. It implies that all
architectural elements and complexes are parametrically malleable. Every property of an
element or complex is subject to parametric variation.

GALAXY SOHO in Beijing, China

is a large development of a retail,
office and entertainment complex.
Design by Zaha Hadid, construction
of the complex began in 2009 and
was completed after 30 months, by
October 2012. The main structure of
the building was built using standard
concrete. The exterior of the building
is insulated with 3mm-thick
aluminium, glass and stone
materials. Interiors of the building
include glass, terrazzo, GRG,
stainless steel and gypsum.

SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN ELEVATIONS

Analysis
Galaxy Soho is inspired by the grand scale of Beijing. Its
architecture is a composition of continuous, flowing volumes, fused or linked
by stretched bridges. These volumes adapt to each other in all directions,
generating a panoramic architecture without corners or abrupt transitions that
break the fluidity of its formal composition.

AGUILAR, Jahziel Candace R.

2AR-10
RESOURCES

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TOA2 Preliminary Examination Paper

archdaily. (2012, October 29 ). Galaxy Soho / Zaha Hadid Architects. Retrieved from
archdaily: http://www.archdaily.com/287571/galaxy-soho-zaha-hadid-architects

Design Build Network. (n.d.). Galaxy Soho Complex, Chaoyangmen, Beijing, China.
Retrieved from Design Build Network: http://www.designbuild-
network.com/projects/galaxy-soho-complex-beijing-china/

Schumacher, P. (2008). Paramtericism as Style - Parametricist Manifesto.

Schumacher, P. (2009). Paramtetricism: A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban
Design. Architectural Design, 19(4), 14-23.

Schumacher, P. (2012). The Autopoiesis of Architecture: A New Agenda for Architecture

(Vol. II). John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Schumacher, P. (2015). In Defense of Parametricism. London: Machine Books.

Schumacher, P. (2016). Design Parameters to Paramteric Design. The Routledge Companion

for Architecture Design and Practice.

Schumacher, P. (2016). Parametricism 2.0: Rethinking Architecture's Agenda for the 21st
Century. Architectural Design, 86(2).

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