Parametrically Designed Façade with Sustainable Approach

The digitization has led way to the development of increasingly sophisticated tools that have direct impact on the contemporary practice of architecture and urbanism. Parametric Design is one such tool and it has provided great possibilities for innovation in terms of design, optimization of resources and processes, and improvement in performance for facades.

- JATIN SHAH

Parametric Design is accomplished by application of multiple programmes and strategies during the design process where the designers can by mathematic algorithm-based approach arrive at decisions. The approach is primarily remains focused on the relationship between geometries by re-defining the variables to arrive at the end result. It is relatively easy to create iterations in algorithms faster than the traditional method of designing.

One may think that parametric designing is a relatively new approach; however, this approach was adopted in1940’s wherein an Italian architect, Luigi Moretti demonstrated the design of a stadium the form of stadium was derived by manipulating 19 parameters including viewing angles and the economic cost of concrete. Much earlier, Antonio Gaudi adopted this approach in Sagrada Familia project by building an upside-down model as a design process where the input parameters used were length of the string, birdshot weight and anchor points. Vertex location on the string was the outcome of the model based on function of gravity.

Parametric tools are synchronised with the simulation software (plug-ins) to define and redefine the parameters. The accessibility to various data like environmental-related plugins, traffic-related data, structural analysis related plugins help in optimization of design solutions. These tools easily integrate with traditional software like Autodesk CAD, Revit etc., and solve the need to create multiple copies in all the software used. All data is linked and interoperable.