Parametric design is a technique in architecture that involves the use of algorithms to generate parameters and rules that can be manipulated to create the desired relationship in the design of structures and geometric. It employs the use of computational design systems to make the desired results in architecture.
With the advancement in technology, the parametric design has become a game-changer in the establishment of structural building. But why are most architects embracing this technology?
It is a flexible designing tool when constructing new buildings and reconstructing old structures without altering the original functionality. This technology has been used to easily modify the dimensions of shapes and sizes of different walls in the housing sector. For instance, it is applied in modeling the elements of a glass window and its shapes automatically by changing the variable sets. The virtual construction of St. Catherine Church in the city of Nuremberg, Germany is a perfect example where a 3-dimensional model was used by combining data to generate a parametric model. The church had been bombed but architects exploited parametric technology and formed a beautiful interior and exterior of the church through decoration.
Today visitors get a vivid experience when they visit st. Catherine Church because the renovation was made possible by the parametric design. Other designs in the world where this technology has been applied are in Metropol Parasol in Seville, the Canton Tower in Guangzhou, China among other buildings in Spain. The advocates of parametric models’ attribute flexibility and making aesthetics in structures such as stadiums, museums and bridges. Although it is based on the cloud it provides a clear view of the intended structure in simple steps to enable the stakeholders to visualize the appearance of the final product.
When the design is complete, it allows the viewership of every wall, corner, glass dimensions without a struggle. Where they require some changes, they are implemented early and reduce delays and losses that could incur as a result of deviations on the final model.
The goal is to ensure the structure is made according to the aspirations of the property owners. Since the project is stored on the cloud, it becomes easy for the team to check and provide feedback for adjustments where necessary. Subsequently, the parametric design improves efficiency while saving time. Since it is embedded with artificial intelligence and saved as data, architects and engineers share information and make the desired modifications. This implies that an old design process can be reused in future developments related to structure, reconstruction and renovations. It is equally crucial to store digital data properly to enable reference by future generations. Additionally, this computer-aided design supports linear workflow in which everything is done a step by step as the design reshapes into the right form. However, the design can be further edited until everything becomes precise. What is more, is the fact that the parametric model permits teamwork where the project is complex.
The different sections of projects are assigned to different groups who work on their part while sending data to the central place for evaluation. The team is coordinated by the project managers who ascertain every lot performs as per set standards. Therefore, it improves the speed at which the project will be completed. The use of a parametric approach has become a defining moment for architects in the construction industry. In the case of St. Catherine Church in Nuremberg, this computational design proved to be effective in quickly reconstructing the structure. In other modern designs of buildings, it is also being used to spot and make intended adjustments thus ensuring the final results of a structure are accurate.
