Parametric Design and Digital Tools: New horizons in architectural design
Parametric Design and Digital Tools
New horizons in architectural
October 10, 2023
by Nayrin Forne
Parametric Architecture represents an innovative digital design technique that is revolutionizing the field of architecture. Its essence lies in the ability to introduce variables, such as: spatial limits, volumes or temperatures in specialized software, resulting in much more dynamic constructions.
By allowing the manipulation of materials and the creation of complex structures, this technique opens the door to designs full of movement and fluidity.
But its benefits are not limited to visual expression. Parametric Architecture also automates a wide variety of processes, from costing by optimizing the amount of material used and reducing waste, to physical simulations and the exploration of architectural forms. Allowing us to save time and resources, without fear of compromising the integrity of the construction, and thus having a more sustainable and environmentally efficient approach. Furthermore, Parametric Architecture goes beyond conventional geometry, giving rise to new organic, continuous and harmonic configurations that enrich the architectural landscape and improve the functionality of buildings.
Project: Research Pavilion by ICD-ITKE. Location: University of Stuttgart, Germany Year: 2011
However, despite its many advantages, Parametric Architecture is not suitable for all situations and all architectural projects. It is essential to understand its limitations and contraindications before embarking on its use. Here are some situations where Parametric Architecture may not be the best choice: Projects with limited budgets, smaller scale projects with simple requirements where the traditional approach proves to be the most efficient, Restoration and conservation projects where maintaining authenticity and original integrity is required, this approach may be inappropriate or projects with regulations and standards that limit its application.
Project: Metropol Parasol by Jürgen Mayer. Sevilla, Spain. Year: 2004 – 2011
Project: Research Pavilion by ICD-ITKE. Location: University of Stuttgart, Germany Year: 2016
The Institute for Computational Design (ICD) and the Institute for Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) at the University of Stuttgart have completed a new research pavilion demonstrating robotic textile fabrication techniques for segmented wooden shells. The pavilion is the first of its kind to employ industrial sewing of wooden elements on an architectural scale. It is part of a successful series of research pavilions that showcase the potential of computational design, simulation and fabrication processes in architecture. The project was designed and realized by students and researchers within a multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers, biologists and paleontologists
In conclusion, although Parametric Architecture offers great potential in terms of efficiency and sustainability, combining artistic creativity with mathematical precision, it has the danger of being very seductive, and the manipulation of the parameters are equal to that of a video game, so it ends up being addictive, feeding disproportionately the playful part of the designer. The secret is in the architect who has strong roots in the architectural space, with which it will be possible to force the parameters, force the playful part to design quality spaces, and not fall into the formalist design of decorative objects in cities.