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Figure 1. Examples of shown parametric strategies. Image by authors. Grasshopper, and Essential Mathematics for Computational Design) which are characterised by a certain level of abstraction as they are not built specifically for architects. The workshop proposed by us, on the other hand, tries to link the act of modelling to a possible architectural design supported by a clear tectonic dimension. For this reason, a fundamental factor in the construction of the workshop lessons was the association of architectural projects with each modelling strategy shown. Each project was briefly analysed to bring out the compositional, technical and functional principles, in order to link the parametric design to a tectonic dimension, thus making it less abstract.

Figure 1 Examples of shown parametric strategies. Image by authors. Grasshopper, and Essential Mathematics for Computational Design) which are characterised by a certain level of abstraction as they are not built specifically for architects. The workshop proposed by us, on the other hand, tries to link the act of modelling to a possible architectural design supported by a clear tectonic dimension. For this reason, a fundamental factor in the construction of the workshop lessons was the association of architectural projects with each modelling strategy shown. Each project was briefly analysed to bring out the compositional, technical and functional principles, in order to link the parametric design to a tectonic dimension, thus making it less abstract.

Related Figures (7)

The strategies shown are geometric series, attractors, randomizations symmetric aggregations, and tessellations. Figure 2. Al Bahar Towers by Aedas. Photo by Inhabitat, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
The strategies shown are geometric series, attractors, randomizations symmetric aggregations, and tessellations. Figure 2. Al Bahar Towers by Aedas. Photo by Inhabitat, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Geometric series concern the repetition in three-dimensional space of elementary morphologies. They can be used to construct formal grids to be used as a guide to architectural composition, generating regular or more complex lattices, such as a tartan grid. In the parametric field, however, they are often used as ordering elements for subsequent complex transformations. During the workshop, the architectural envelope of the Al Bahars Towers was analysed.
Geometric series concern the repetition in three-dimensional space of elementary morphologies. They can be used to construct formal grids to be used as a guide to architectural composition, generating regular or more complex lattices, such as a tartan grid. In the parametric field, however, they are often used as ordering elements for subsequent complex transformations. During the workshop, the architectural envelope of the Al Bahars Towers was analysed.
The attractors’ strategy is based on modu procedure concerning the distance from a po ating the intensity of a parametric int, a curve, or a set of them. This strategy is typically associated with geometric transformations, such as rotations, scaling, and movements in space. | is necessary to acquire concepts such as Domains and Remapping for optimal management of the intensity of these transformations. Zaha Hadid Architects’ Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre was proposed as a case stud y. Figure 4. Padiglione Italia EXPO 2015 by NEMESI Studio. Photo by Emmanue Bendiyan, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The attractors’ strategy is based on modu procedure concerning the distance from a po ating the intensity of a parametric int, a curve, or a set of them. This strategy is typically associated with geometric transformations, such as rotations, scaling, and movements in space. | is necessary to acquire concepts such as Domains and Remapping for optimal management of the intensity of these transformations. Zaha Hadid Architects’ Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre was proposed as a case stud y. Figure 4. Padiglione Italia EXPO 2015 by NEMESI Studio. Photo by Emmanue Bendiyan, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Randomization is the process of removing patterns or predictability in something initially defined as an ordered system. In parametric modelling, it is used to define a set or a list of random numbers, which become the input of subsequent procedures. Again, the IT concepts of Domains and Remapping are fundamental in defining the variability range of the numbers that can be generated. The 2015 Italian Expo pavilion by NEMESI studio was proposed as a case study. Figure 5. Louvre Abu Dhabi by Ateliers Jean Nouvel. Photo by Eduard Marmet, CC 3Y-SA 2.0.
Randomization is the process of removing patterns or predictability in something initially defined as an ordered system. In parametric modelling, it is used to define a set or a list of random numbers, which become the input of subsequent procedures. Again, the IT concepts of Domains and Remapping are fundamental in defining the variability range of the numbers that can be generated. The 2015 Italian Expo pavilion by NEMESI studio was proposed as a case study. Figure 5. Louvre Abu Dhabi by Ateliers Jean Nouvel. Photo by Eduard Marmet, CC 3Y-SA 2.0.
Modelling strategies for symmetrical aggregations are based on the combination of morphologies using procedures that refer to a limited number of rules, such as reflection, rotational, or translational symmetry. The composition of these rules allows obtaining patterns with high morphological complexity starting from simple geometries. During the workshop, the dome of the Louvre in Abu Dhabi by Jean Nouvel was analysed, also introducing the theme of the mashrabiyya.
Modelling strategies for symmetrical aggregations are based on the combination of morphologies using procedures that refer to a limited number of rules, such as reflection, rotational, or translational symmetry. The composition of these rules allows obtaining patterns with high morphological complexity starting from simple geometries. During the workshop, the dome of the Louvre in Abu Dhabi by Jean Nouvel was analysed, also introducing the theme of the mashrabiyya.
All the groups involved in the workshop proposed a parametric design for a portion of the architectural envelope, almost always combining more modelling strategies. A quantitative analysis returns students’ preference to work with strategies such as geometric series, attractors, and randomizations. Figure 7. Examples of students’ design proposals. Image by authors. A qualitative analysis, instead, returns students’ preference to work with what easily produces what is commonly perceived as parametric: the harmonic variation and articulation of morphologies that make up a larger architectural ensemble, which recalls the Swarmism of Patrik Schumacher (2018). In fact, in many of the students’ proposals, some architectural morphologies linked to traditional modelling processes and articulated by transformation dependent on attractors or randomizations can be identified. Although approaches such as Voronoi’s tesselations are relatively simple to code, they impose new design paradigms that significantly differs from traditional modelling. For this reason, they may have seen limited use in the workshop. The limited interest of students
All the groups involved in the workshop proposed a parametric design for a portion of the architectural envelope, almost always combining more modelling strategies. A quantitative analysis returns students’ preference to work with strategies such as geometric series, attractors, and randomizations. Figure 7. Examples of students’ design proposals. Image by authors. A qualitative analysis, instead, returns students’ preference to work with what easily produces what is commonly perceived as parametric: the harmonic variation and articulation of morphologies that make up a larger architectural ensemble, which recalls the Swarmism of Patrik Schumacher (2018). In fact, in many of the students’ proposals, some architectural morphologies linked to traditional modelling processes and articulated by transformation dependent on attractors or randomizations can be identified. Although approaches such as Voronoi’s tesselations are relatively simple to code, they impose new design paradigms that significantly differs from traditional modelling. For this reason, they may have seen limited use in the workshop. The limited interest of students
Table 1. Parametric strategies reception in student’s projects
Table 1. Parametric strategies reception in student’s projects
Related topics:
Architectural EducationArchitectural TheoryParametric Design (Architecture)Parametric ModelingArchitectural Design PedagogyArchitectural Pedagogy
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