Parametric design System

Form finding through parameters and constraints

Parametric Design

• Parametric design is a process based

on algorithmic thinking that enables the
expression of parameters and rules that,
together, define, encode and clarify the
relationship between design intent and
design response.
• Parametric design is a paradigm in design
where the relationship between elements
is used to manipulate and inform the
design of complex geometries and
structures.
Parametric Design and
complex geometries

• The term parametric originates from mathematics

(parametric equation) and refers to the use of
certain parameters or variables that can be edited
to manipulate or alter the end result of an
equation or system.
• While today the term is used in reference to
computational design systems, there are
precedents for these modern systems in the
works of architects such as Antoni Gaudí, who
used analog models to explore design space.
• Image: Interior and ceiling of the Holy Family
Temple, by Antonio Gaudí.
 Parametric Design and
complex geometries
Gaudi's analogue method includes the main features of a
parametric model (input parameters, equation, output):
1. The string length, birdshot weight and anchor point
location all form independent input parameters
2. The vertex locations of the points on the strings being
the outcomes of the model
3. The outcomes are derived by explicit functions, in this
case gravity or Newtons law of motion.
By modifying individual parameters of these models Gaudi
could generate different versions of his model while being
certain the resulting structure would stand in pure
compression. Instead of having to manually calculate the
results of parametric equations he could automatically
derive the shape of the catenary curves through the force of
gravity acting on the strings
• Image: An upside-down force model of the Colonia Güell Church, by Antonio
Gaudí. Sagrada Família Museum.
Ivan Sutherland and
the Sketchpad

• Where Gaudi used physical laws to speed up his

calculation of parametric equations, Ivan
Sutherland looked to the processing power of digital
computers. He received the Turing Award from
the Association for Computing Machinery in 1988 for
the invention of Sketchpad, an early predecessor to
the sort of graphical user interface that has become
ubiquitous in personal computers
• Sutherland created an interactive computer-aided
design program called Sketchpad. Using a light pen,
users could draw lines and arcs that could be related
to each other using constraints. These constraints
contained all the essential properties of parametric
equations. Users could experiment and explore
different designs by altering the parameters of an
entity and let Sketchpad do the calculations and
redraw the geometry according to the constraints
imposed upon it.
 Parametric design and complexity
• Nature has always served as
inspiration for architects and Product
design
designers.
• Computer technology has given
designers and architects the tools to
analyze and simulate the complexity Parametric Parametric
observed in nature and apply it to Architecture
Industrial
design
structural building shapes and urban
organizational patterns.
• In the 1980s architects and designers Parametric
started using computers running
software developed for the aerospace Design
and moving picture industries to
"animate form“ as experimentation
with computer animation programs
and techniques.
Structural
• Parametric design has developed Engineering
during the past 30 years and is the
avant garde design system. It requires
specific computer programs.
Prototyping
 Traditional design methodology

1. Traditionally, you do research and get

some first ideas. You beguin to explore
their posibilities and confront these Research First ideas
first ideas with the constraints of the
design.
2. Then you start a depuration and
adaptation of those first ideas in order
to suit the needs of the program. Architectonical Depuration
3. You get one single result that fits the program
requirements and constraints.

But if your client or teacher does not like

the result, you have to start all over One single result
again… that fits the + Structure
requirements
 Parametric design system
• In parametric design system, you
spend a lot of time entering all the
data. The constraints of the design,
the requirements, materials.
• You decide the kind of geometry
you want to employ in the design, Family of results
but not a specific shape. You that match the Selected
parameters
parameters and project
design a process, not a concrete constraints
result.
• The computer design system
brings out a family of results, all of
them match the required
parameters and constraints. Process
• You choose wich design is better
from that family….but you have all
the other designs as a backup.
Parametric design is not
random

• In simple terms, parametric design is a process

where you input design “parameters” into
a design tool. Those parameters now act as
constraints for your potential structure.
• The tool processes these parameters and
generates the best possible structure using
those values. Then, the architect makes
adjustments to the structure to explore a
myriad of shapes and creative options.
• Each geometric figure has a mathematic
formula. This formula is the same, the
numbers (parameters) change.
• Therefore, you might get infinite variations of
the first figure, but they will never be random,
because all of them fit the selected
parameters.
Elemets of classical
architecture and
Modern Movement
• The elements employed in
classical architecture and
modern movement are solid
geometricl shapes.
• Even in classical architecture,
the elements can be reduced to
cubes, triangles, cilinders,
spheres.
• They are rigid and solid, just as
the blocks they are made of.
They migh be agrupated, split,
but they are not expected to
change the shape or adapt. You
employ them as they are,
geometrically speaking.
Elements of
Parametric design
• The new primitive shapes of parametricism
are dynamic, adaptataive and interactive
geometric entities.
• Think of them as fibers or expandable
surfaces, like in the work of Frei Otto. They
work as the new fundamental blocks of the
dynamic systems.
 Parametric modelling system
• As we previously explained, in
traditional architecture or modern
movement you decide the form first. • Propagation-based systems
• In parametric design, the final shape is Propagation- where one computes from
found through the exploration of based known to unknowns with a
design goals, parameters and dataflow model.
constraints. That is called modelling.
Pure complex mathemathics, done by
the computer program.
• Form-finding is one of the strategies
implemented through propagation- • Constraint systems which
based systems. The idea behind form-
finding is to optimize certain design Constraint solve sets of continuous
goals against a set of design and discrete constraints.
constraints.
 • Examples of form
finding in parametric
Form finding design programs. You
can see the variations
from the same
geometry
 Parametric architecture
• Parametric architecture Works with
the parametric design system.
• It works with algorithms, parameters
and geometry.
• Its first design program was Rhino.
• Nowadays there is a plug-in called Parameters Algorithm
grasshopper that combines with
Rhino to accelerate the design Constraints
process, by giving atuomatically the
algorithms and geometric formulas. Geometry
• The designer gives the design
goals,the parameters and constraints.
 • Parametric architecture is an architectonical style that employs
parametric design and computer programs in the process of the
Project.
• Parametric design is a design method that employs computer
programs based on geometry, algorithms and parameters that define
the shapes through a series of relations.
Parametric • Each geometry has a series of parameters that are defined in its
geometrical formula.
architecture • You design a process, not a concrete result.
• The results are a family of possible solutions that match the selected
and requirements.

parametric • It is Associative: each part depends on the others based on the

relations established between them in the parameters.

design • Its computer programs work with mathemathical formulas, algorithms

and parameters.
• Parametric design is a design process, not a style.
• To create formal possibilities.

Mauricio Montalvo
Rhinoceros 3D

• Rhinoceros (typically abbreviated Rhino,

or Rhino3D) is a commercial 3D computer
graphics and computer-aided design
(CAD) application software developed by
Robert McNeel & Associates, an American,
privately held, employee-owned
company founded in 1980.
• Rhinoceros geometry is based on
the NURBS mathematical model, which
focuses on producing mathematically
precise representation of curves
and freeform surfaces in computer
graphics (as opposed to polygon mesh-
based applications).
 Rhino 3D

• Is used in processes of computer-aided design

(CAD), computer-aided manufacturing
(CAM), rapid prototyping, 3D printing and reverse
engineering in industries including architecture,
industrial design (like automotive
design, watercraft design), product design as well
as for multimedia and graphic design.
• Developed for Mycrosoft, Rhinoceros is primarily
a free form surface modeler that utilizes
the NURBS mathematical model. Rhinoceros'
application architecture and open SDK makes it
modular and enables the user to customize the
interface and create custom commands and
menus. There are dozens of plug-ins available from
both McNeel and other software companies that
complement and expand Rhinoceros' capabilities
in specific fields like rendering and animation,
architecture, marine, jewelry, engineering,
prototyping, and others.
 Grashopper
3d
• A visual scripting language add-on
for Rhino, Grasshopper, is developed
by Robert McNeel & Associates.
• It is a visual programming language
and environment that runs within
the Rhinoceros 3D computer-aided
design (CAD) application. The
program was created by David
Rutten at Robert McNeel &
Associates. Programs are created by
dragging components onto a canvas.
• The new Grasshopper environment
provides an intuitive way to explore
designs without having to learn to
script.
Grashopper 3D

• Grasshopper is primarily used to build

generative algorithms, such as
for generative art. Many of Grasshopper's
components create 3D geometry. Programs
may also contain other types of algorithms
including numeric, textual, audio-visua and
haptic applications.
• Advanced uses of Grasshopper include
parametric modelling for structural
engineering, parametric modelling for
architecture and fabrication, lighting
performance analysis for eco-friendly
architecture and building energy
consumption.
Conclussions

• Parametric design is a complex geometry

design process employing specific computer
programs, like Rhinoceros 3D and its visual
programming languaje, Grashopper.
• The complexity of scripting in Rhino is now
eased by Grasshopper.
• But an architect or designer has to learn to
use this programs to employ them as
effective design tools.
• This is the design system of the future,
because it can deal with endless levels of
complexity that combine aesthethics with
efficiency.