PARAMETRIC ARCHITECTURE

ARGUMENT
‘The Challenges of Parametric Design in
Architecture Today & Mapping the Design Practice’, So To
Identify it as a Style or Just a Design Tool & What do we
Lose Amidst the Algorithm.
Parametric design is a new approach to architectural design based
on the concept of parameters. It utilises parameters to set relations
between design elements .
 “USE WHEN NECESSARY
AND THEN MOVE TO
NEXT

“PARAMETRICISM IS THE
NEW GREAT STYLE
AFTER MODERNISM”
 Definition of Parametric

PARA -MET -RIC ad>a-rVme-trik\

para- + a prefix most often attached to verbs and verbal
derivatives, with the meanings"at or to one side of, beside,
side by side" (parabola; paragraph; parallel; paralysis)

Metric
+ n.a standard of measurement
+ n. a geometric function that describes the distances
between pairs of points in a space. (Maths)
+ adj. of or relating to distance.

PARAMETER n. parameter of a straight line

parameter is a constant or variable term in a function Option I
(parametric equation) that determines the specific form + length [distance of 2
of the function. (extreme) points ]
+ direction [vector of 2
(extreme) points]

Option 2
+ starting point coordinates
+ end point coordinates
parametric can be seen as
a descriptive mechanism
changed by parameters to
generate a series of
variations as outputs in the
process of manipulations.
VARIATION n. \ver-e-a-shan\
a : the act or process of varying : the state or fact of being varied
b : an instance of varying
c :the extent to which or the range in which a thing varies

Variation is proved to be important for biodiversity and process of

evolution by natural selection in our nature. COMPLEXITY of variation in
nature is contributed by Phenotypic variation.
 OR AN CULTURE

concept of ‘driver’ deserves more

elaboration. On the subjective side, a driver
can be defined as motivation; a driving
force which leads architects to the
conclusion point. Objectively, it implies an
instrumental role in guiding architects. While
in this view, it is an aid, it acts as a
constraint or a determinant too. A good
metaphor is to think of a ‘driver’
CHALLENGES IN DESIGN PRACTICE OF PARAMETRICISM

CONSTRAINT AS CHALLENGE
● A constraint explains a relation
between two or more objects;

● for example, it restrains a

group of lines to be parallel or
perpendicular,

● even it can define a relation

inside an object between
features such as the size of
the diameter or the area.

● Thus it is not a restriction to

design solutions but grouping of
several elements which can be
identified on a common basis
before starting or while doing
the design.
CHALLENGES IN DESIGN PRACTICE OF PARAMETRICISM

HIGHLY INTERDEPENDENCE
L

B
TOILET, ROOM

CLOSED
SPACES

BED, TABLE,
OPENING

BUILDING

TERRACE,
VERANDAH,

OPEN
SPACES

COURTYARDS
Mapping the Roles Mapping the Roles In the Process Process Of Parametric Design of
Parametric Design of Parametric Design

1.The Role of Designer

A. Does parametric design change the role of designer? This question is highly important,
especially in terms of design

● Two ideologies are considered , first in which designers use

tool as per situation.
● Connect to it by humanistic ideologies and philosophies but not
as per deeper logical level.
● In second case, We all must be tool makers and not be
dependent.
● Majority are tool users and not makers that is the reason why
parametricism seems difficult.
● Terzidis, some practicing architects explain that having a
pragmatic approach is more important, and that the aim is to
arrive at a point that enables the architects to employ
different methods to reach more alternatives.
Should Architects be Tool Makers?

● Architects need new methods

to reach new product ideology.
● Tools not be restrictive.
● Barriers are created by
softwares.
● Designers need tool kit that can
be part of the needs of
project with ease of
customization.
Shift of role from sketching and Physical modeling.
● Difficult form to draw by hand
● Loss of tangibility
● SOme believe sketching helps to crystalize concept
● Place of clarity
The Role Of Computers

Sagrada Familia Church - Antonio Gaudi

● Gaudi an Otto are pioneers of form finding.

● Here need for interrelationship of computer programs and
parametric design,or it would lead to unattainability of
parametric forms without software.
○
 ADVANTAGES

Kakamigahara Crematorium / Toyo Ito Hungerburg Funicular / Zaha Hadid Radiolaria / Christian troche

OPTIMIZATION MASS CUSTOMIZATION MECHANIZATION

Parametric Design is a SIMPLE, With everything digitized,

Data-driven Parametric Design with
EFFICIENT way to produce production can be done by
reconfigurable smart models by
differentiated repetition in digital programmed-machines or robotic
capturing the underlying logic can
modeling that otherwise requires a system To tailor-make a large
EFFICIENTLY perform changes, as
great deal of time and effort.
such environmental factors and amount of varied components is
Therefore, things are no longer
structural factors can be not impossible.
necessary to be standardized.
optimized.
● Create design iterations extremely
fast.
● Seamlessly integrate
modifications/updates with other
project files.
● Complexity from Ordered Simplicity

Simple repetitions, loops, geometry along

with simple transformations can be used
to generate complex geometries. All
mind-boggling forms are often simple
shapes at first.
● Unnecessary Complexity with
too much Information

● Constraining Creativity ‘WITH A

SET” Structure
● Computers here are just
facilitators rather than design
tools.

● Algorithms in this sense are

design tools, because they
produce forms and geometries.
Nevertheless, the nature of the
algorithm is not dependent on
computers.
● some factors such as time or
size of the project might push
architects to use parametric
programs frequently.

● Parametric programs offer a

robust and sophisticated
platform, at the same time they
bring too much complexity,
which in turn brings problems
such as learning difficulties