Parametric design technologies have become increasingly prevalent in contemporary architecture. However, many architects are using these technologies without fully understanding their essential conditions, which has led to confusion regarding their meaning and applications. This article aims to provide clarity on the meaning of parametric design and its application in architecture, by reviewing its first literary uses and initial works that applied these techniques.
The term parametric design has different meanings, ranging from social to mathematical connotations, mostly related to a measurable variation. In the context of architecture, it refers to the use of digital tools to create complex forms and geometries that respond to specific design parameters. This approach enables architects to create complex designs with precise control over various parameters, such as form, structure, and material properties.
The first literary use of the term parametric design in relation to architecture can be traced back to the early 1990s, when architects began to explore the potential of computer-aided design (CAD) software. The use of parametric modeling tools in architecture gained momentum in the early 2000s, with the emergence of advanced software platforms that enabled architects to create complex designs with greater ease and efficiency.
The article highlights several early examples of parametric procedures in building design, including the Philips Pavilion by Le Corbusier and Xenakis, the Barcelona Fish by Frank Gehry, and the Extension of Waterloo Station by Nicholas Grimshaw. These buildings were designed using parametric modeling tools, which allowed architects to explore complex forms and geometries that would have been impossible to achieve with traditional design methods.
The Philips Pavilion, designed for the 1958 World Expo in Brussels, is considered a pioneering work in the use of parametric design in architecture. The pavilion was designed using a complex system of curves and surfaces, which were generated using mathematical algorithms. This approach enabled the architects to create a complex form that responded to specific design parameters, such as acoustics and visibility.
Philips Pavilion - Iannis Xenakis, Le Corbusier
The Barcelona Fish, designed by Frank Gehry in 1989, is another early example of parametric design in architecture. The building features a complex, undulating form that was created using parametric modeling tools. The use of these tools enabled the architect to create a form that responds to specific design parameters, such as structural performance and natural light.
Peix, Gehry
The Extension of Waterloo Station, designed by Nicholas Grimshaw in 1993, is a third example of parametric design in architecture. The building features a complex, curvilinear form that was generated using parametric modeling tools. This approach enabled the architect to create a form that responds to specific design parameters, such as structural performance and environmental factors.
Based on these early examples, the article suggests a strict conception of parametric design in architecture, linked to variable curves, as well as a constructive and cultural sense. This approach emphasizes the importance of using parametric modeling tools to create complex forms and geometries that respond to specific design parameters, while also considering the functional and cultural aspects of the building.
To conclude, parametric design technologies have become an essential tool in contemporary architecture. However, architects must understand the essential conditions of this approach to ensure its effective application in building design. The article provides a useful overview of the meaning and application of parametric design in architecture, based on early examples of its use in building design.
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