Architecture with parametric design
It is difficult to start writing about parametric architecture and its design since there are very different ways of seeing it and a fierce debate between different points of view in architectural practice or urban planning, which is our case of application.
The concept of parametric and regenerative design expands much more when we look at the new software and advanced digital design techniques that are coming to the market and that will possibly be our future work tools.
The leap is being made from large architecture firms (Frank Gehry or the Zaha Hadid Architects studio are highly experienced in working with parametric design projects) to studios that are interested in incorporating new generative technologies…
What is parametric design
Parametric architecture is an architectural design technique that uses algorithms and programming to create complex shapes and structures.
Through design programs, rules, variables, parameters, established constraints are used to generate designs that meet a series of requirements.
An example of parametric design in interiors with AI (Artificial Intelligence) using Rhino/Grasshopper + Midjourney + LookX by TIM FU:
So… Why is this new technology important? What benefits does it bring?
- Design innovation: Allows creating shapes and structures that would be impossible or very difficult to achieve with traditional methods.
- Improved efficiency: Automates parts of the design process, saving time and resources.
- Flexibility: Facilitates quick design modifications responding to changes in requirements or conditions.
How parametric design works
Parametric design relies on several specialized tools and software. Among them, Grasshopper for Rhino, Dynamo for Revit, and SketchUp with parametric plugins stand out… What key features do these software have?
- Rule-based modeling: Creation of complex shapes through rules and relationships.
- Interoperability: Ease of working with other programs and platforms.
- 3D visualization: Allows a deeper understanding of the design.
For example, a geometric shape of a cube can be modified by changing the variables (Also called generative design – Generative Design depending on who looks at it).
If we vary the edges at will, we will have hundreds of designs, but undoubtedly, the way to obtain these new geometries is quite different from the traditional work we do in front of the computer:
When transferred to the field of architecture, design, or urban planning, the project we practice becomes a process (introduction of parameters and constraints) that enables the solution of the project in hundreds of versatile designs and meeting a wide range of objectives.
objective of parametric architecture: go beyond geometry and shape to design a system among all variables
In the following conceptual map, the process by which the approach to parametric architecture is reached is framed (Enlargement image here, opens new window)
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And this… How does it affect the traditional way of carrying out architecture or urban planning projects? Previously, projects were executed as a rigid object, where we input project data and if it meets the objective (Example, efficient building) it produces a design, which is also inflexible with uncertain results.
Now, with parametric architecture, projects become a process, they are instantly modifiable and produce a flexible design with proven results.
Parametric modeling systems work primarily in a system based on information propagation, where it is calculated from the known to the unknown with a data flow model, and a constraint system, which solves a set of limitations.
Parametric design needs data to analyze, and the more introduced, the better the result. So Big Data and other ways of obtaining information are essential and will work together to obtain optimized results, but… What would that information flow be like?
The process presents four general activities: the definition of initial conditions, the preparation of the parametric procedure (specific utility), the execution of the procedure, and finally, the selection and interpretation of results, in addition to the set of parameters considered. An example:
From here, we can start designing all kinds of buildings or practice parametric urbanism with more complex and versatile geometric designs that will be manipulated through algorithms with the aim of obtaining not just one objective, but we can have hundreds of designs, with hundreds of variables that will also fulfill multiple needs and in a single click.
Although there is already some parametric design software on the market related to the BIM theme Flexible, CAD drawing, Rhino, VisualARQ, Grasshopper or plugins like Viz Pro, which turns SketchUp into a parametric modeling software. Simpler programs are appearing that aim to reach the general public.
Examples of buildings with parametric architecture
Some iconic buildings made with designs based on parametric algorithms:
- Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid: An emblem of fluid and organic design, representative of the fluidity and dynamics of parametric forms.
- The Guggenheim in Bilbao by Frank Gehry: Reflection of complex and unique forms, showing how parametric architecture can completely transform an urban landscape.
- The Serpentine Pavilions in London: Each year, a new innovative design offers a fresh and contemporary vision, using parametric design principles.
- Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest): Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, it is an excellent example of how parametric architecture can be used in large-scale structures.
- Beijing Daxing International Airport designed by Zaha Hadid: This airport stands out for its space efficiency and passenger flow, achieved through parametric design techniques.
- The Broad Museum in Los Angeles by Diller Scofidio + Renfro: An example of how parametric architecture integrates into existing urban environments, combining art, technology, and public space.
Parametric architecture
Machine learning, artificial intelligence (See reference article) and generative design are beginning to shape architecture as we know it.
A new tool that will be released this year aimed at parametric architecture is Finch. Created by the Swedish construction company BOX Bygg architecture studio Wallgren Arkitekter, whose main capability will be that the same plan can adapt to different scenarios and locations automatically.
We could say that we create “responsive” plans similar to when a website adapts to different types of screens. Designs can be modified, adapted, and the maximum potential of a space can be obtained quickly.
According to the creators… “Finch is a plan generator based on a set of architectural rules to ensure that the space works satisfactorily”.
Parametric urbanism
Although the theme of urban planning is very complex, we will soon see parametric urbanism software at reasonable prices that will provide us with much easier daily work.
From the Sidewalk Labs studio, they have been working on a new software tool to generate optimized urban designs.
They have created a new computational tool that analyzes a wide range of data to automatically create thousands of urban designs from a base design.
This generative design tool can do two things that existing planning applications cannot do.
- First, through machine learning and computational design, it can help planners generate not just one or two, but hundreds of scenarios in urban planning.
- Second, it can help assess all types of impacts that these different scenarios could have on key quality of life measures, producing a set of options that best reflect a community’s priorities.
From this article on the Sidewalk Labs website, we can understand how far this new resource can go, which will undoubtedly provide many advantages in city design.
Another example in urban infrastructure… Why build just one vehicle parking design? With generative design we can have thousands of options that we can replicate in different locations:
Course and information points
We have searched for some helpful documents in PDF that may be of interest to start understanding the concept of parameterization and its branches:
- Contextualization of architecture and parameterized urbanism… HERE (Good document)
- Final Degree Project – space parameterization… HERE
- Parametric design in Architecture; method, techniques, and applications… HERE (Good document)
- Ephemeral architectures with parametric tools… HERE
What software to use to practice parametric modeling? Although we could get lost here, there are two portals where we can practice, they have a discussion forum and we will also find interesting libraries:
- Grasshopper from HERE (Built-in plugin for Rhino, which is the most popular way to design with parametric modeling)
- Dynamo from HERE (Dynamo is a parametric extension of Revit. It allows parametric design in the context of the BIM project)
In terms of training, we have seen that some professional colleges have sporadically launched an introductory course. There is a master’s degree in English (quite expensive) in parametric design in architecture by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Check here).
It should be noted that we are not facing a new technological technique and that we have also left many things out, but it is true that many professionals predict that this year, parametric design, will enter the architecture and urban planning sector with great force.
And if anyone doubts it, in the United States startups designed with this technology have already begun to appear (Example Higharc), whose objective is to provide custom housing projects, with complete automation in the creation of the design (2D and 3D) and at very affordable prices in the market.
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