Introduction to parametric design

B.Arch.Ed M.Sc Ir. Itai Cohen

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I need a volunteer
Requirement:
Sketchup Master

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Truss modeling competition

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Double or nothing?

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 Agenda

• What is parametric design?

• What is it good for?

• Which softwares can we use to incorporate

parametric methods into our design?

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What is parametric design?

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 What is design?
Design: \di-ˈzīn\

"to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully"

"to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to

be executed), especially to plan the form and structure of: to
design a new bridge."

*Dictionary.com

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How do we come up with a design?

}
• Context

• Function

• Code

• Climate

• Precedents Trial and error

• Inspiration

• Taste

• Budget

• etc...

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Multitude of options

Singular design

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How is it usually done?

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And using a computer?

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Autocad is bad

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Autocad is old-fashioned
What is parametric design?

A design method based on

relationships and ratios
rather than constants.

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What is parametric design?
What is parametric design?

}
• Context

• Function

• Code

• Climate

• Precedents Trial and error

• Inspiration

• Taste

r s !
• Budget
et e
• etc...
ra m
Pa
What is parametric design?

Parameters can be adjusted

and manipulated by the
designer in order to optimize
the design.
 What is parametric design?
The designer makes up the rules
and sets the parameters
What is parametric design?
What is parametric design?
What is parametric design?

7 Parameters
What is parametric design?

~107 Designs!
 And why should I care?

• Zaha, OMA, Foster and UN studio cares. A lot.

• Do you really want to be outdated?

• You could do plenty more.

• It's fun. And it makes you feel smarter.

 Parametric design

Rapid application Informed design

Dynamic / Interactive architecture

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 Type to enter text
Rapid application

• Repetition

• Rule implementation

• Variation on subject

• Modeling/Production (File2factory)

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http://blip.tv/procedural-inc/cityengine-2010-trailer-3813215
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EhjUli4cYEg#!
 Jesolo Magica - Zaha Hadid Architects

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 Jesolo Magica - Zaha Hadid Architects

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 Jesolo Magica - Zaha Hadid Architects

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 CET - ONL

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 CET - ONL

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P.Papanastasis, M.V. Meijeren, L.Birzniek, I.Cohen - XXL Workshop, TU Delft
P.Papanastasis, M.V. Meijeren, L.Birzniek, I.Cohen - XXL Workshop, TU Delft
P.Papanastasis, M.V. Meijeren, L.Birzniek, I.Cohen - XXL Workshop, TU Delft
P.Papanastasis, M.V. Meijeren, L.Birzniek, I.Cohen - XXL Workshop, TU Delft
P.Papanastasis, M.V. Meijeren, L.Birzniek, I.Cohen - XXL Workshop, TU Delft
P.Papanastasis, M.V. Meijeren, L.Birzniek, I.Cohen - XXL Workshop, TU Delft
Robo-Arch, Hyperbody
ROB, ETH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JnkMyfQ5YfY
 Type to enter text
Informed Design

• External data • Climatic data

• Optimization • Static design

• Lighting

• People's behavior

• ....

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 Karamba3D

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Cinema3 -Karamba3D
Cinema3 -Karamba3D
Cinema3 -Karamba3D
Cinema3 -Karamba3D
Cinema3 -Karamba3D
M.Stavrakantonaki, M.Turrin, I.Cohen
M.Stavrakantonaki, M.Turrin, I.Cohen
M.Stavrakantonaki, M.Turrin, I.Cohen
M&H_Jakarta - Shau.nl
M&H_Jakarta - Shau.nl
M&H_Jakarta - Shau.nl
Omotesando - UNStudio, F.Heinzelmann
Omotesando - UNStudio, F.Heinzelmann
Omotesando - UNStudio, F.Heinzelmann
Omotesando - UNStudio, F.Heinzelmann
Omotesando - UNStudio, F.Heinzelmann
Omotesando - UNStudio, F.Heinzelmann
pandalabccc.blogspot.nl/2012/12/hypercell.html
InteractiveWall - Festo
 Parametric design software
• Processing • Revit

• Generative Components • Autocad

• Grasshopper • Catia

• Excel

• ...
Before we go on...
Grasshopper is a visual
programming language
Grasshopper is a visual
a ni c !
D o nt' p
programming language

It's built for designers.

 C#
Vb.net

Free
Python

Difficult
Processing

Generative Comp.

Grasshopper

Autocad
Parametric design software

Revit
Limited
Easy
Processing.org
Bently - Generative components
 McNeel - Grasshopper3D
http://www.tsunghsienwang.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Generative-Process1.png
So, ready to start?