parametric architecture - description, design and processess involved, case studies.

1. PARAMETRICS IN ARCHITECTURE
CONTENTS
• DEFINITION
• APPLICATION OF PARAMETRICS IN DESIGN
• CASE STUDY 1 - THE INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL AT WATERLOO STATION,
LONDON BY NICHOLAS GRIMSHAW AND PARTNERS
• CASE STUDY 2 - PARACUBE by MARCOS NOVAK
• CASE STUDY 3 - LOTTE SUPER TOWER AT SEOUL, KOREA by SOM
• OTHER EXAMPLES OF PARAMETRIC STRUCTURES
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
PPT prepared by: S.HARINI, M.ARCH 2016-2018, Sem 1

2. PARAMETRICS CASE STUDY 1
The International Terminal at Waterloo
Station, London by Nicholas Grimshaw and
partners
This structure is essentially a 400m long glass clad shed, with tapering
span that gradually shrinks from 50m to 35m. Its narrow sinuous plan is
determined by these parameters – 1. track layout, 2. difficult geometry of
the site. These parameters give such a significant, spectacular roof
structure.
The roof structure consists of a series of 36 dimensionally different but
identically configured three pin bowstring arches. Because of the
assymetrical geometry of platforms, the arches rise steeply on one side
with a shallower incline over the platform on the other side. Each arch is
different as the width of the roof changes along with the tracks.
Parametrics can be defined as a tool that
provides for a powerful conception of
architectural form .
How?
• by describing a range of possibilities
•By replacing stable/ constant with variables
•By replacing singularity with multiplicity.
By using parametrics, one can create an
infinite number of similar objects, geometric
manifestationsof a previously articulated
form ( forms of variable dimensional,
relational or operational dependencies)
When we assign specific values to those
variables, and if valuues change accordingly,
potentially infinite range of possibilities are
created.
So, in a parametric design, it is the parameter
s of particular design that are declared and
not its shape . By assigning different values to
the parametrs, different object/
configurations are created.
Parametric design often involves a
procedural, algorithmic description of a
geometry
Paramorph: an unstable spatial and
topographical description of form with stable
characteristics.
Parametric definition of scaling factor for truss geometry
of 36 dimensionally different but
identically configured three pin
bowstring arches

3. PARAMETRICS
Instead of modelling each arch seperately a generic parametric model
was created based on the underlying design rules in which the size
of the span and the curvature of individuall arches were related. By
assigning different values t othe span parameter36 dimensionally
different yet topologically identical arches were computed and
inserted in the overall geometric model.
The parametric model could be extended from structural system of
arches to the elements that connect them , the corresponding
cladding elements and to the entire building form.
Thus a highly complex hierarchy of interdependencies could be
parametrically modelled allowing iterative refinement from
conceptual design to construction.
Parametrics are particularly useful for
modelling the geometry of complex
building forms. Their successful
application requires careful articulation of
clear strategy of tectonic resolution, such
that a clear description of
interdependencies can be achieved – a
well designed design strategy is essential
for the effective application of
parametrics.
Parametric approach to design, if
consistently applied from its conceptual
stage to materialization, profoundlt
changes the entire nature and
hierarchhies of the building industry, as
well as the role of the architect in the
processes of a building.
New era Architects started to design the
structures not the specific shape but the
set of principles encoded as parametric
equations. Parametric design calls for
the rejection of fixed solutions and for
an exploration of infinitely variable
potentialities. The International Terminal at Waterloo Station,
London by Nicholas Grimshaw and partners
CASE STUDY 1

4. CASE STUDY 2
Paracube by Marcos Novak
Paracube, a six parametric surface conceptual object by Markos Novak,
designed in 1997
MARCOS NOVAK - AN INTRODUCTION
Marcos Novak became the most visible
proponent of cyberspace as an autonomous
architectural field of inquiry.
His greatest achievement is his use of non-
Euclidean spatial concepts with the idea of
algorithmic unfolding, that is, mathematical
modeling of data space navigable computer
environments to create unexpected futuristic
forms. In other words, the animated
mathematical forms created in the virtual
reality by Marcos Novak, derive from the
manipulation of mathematical fields.
All these technical terms mean that
throughout his immense body of work he
attained forms that are “out of this world”.
Forms, which resemble some neo-biological
creatures floating in the extraterrestrial seas,
or science-fiction beings
roaming the universe.
Marcos Novak‟s liquid architecture seems to
combine the opposite, soft with hard, real
with virtual, masculine with feminine and
mathematical with poetical, to create third or
“alien” condition. He seeks nothing less than
warping into alien territory, into
unpredictable conceptual spaces, into new
states of being of the future.

5. CASE STUDY 3
Lotte Super Tower at seoul, Korea by
SOD.
The geometry of 555m tall Lotte Super Tower
begins with a constant transformation from a
square base to a circle top. This idea is
conceptually structural as well as architectural:
transformation in order to shed wind vortices
which occur in unchanging form, taper for efficient
mass distribution of mixed-use program which
require varying lease spans. The geometrical
challenge of transforming a square into a circle was
resolved by creating triangular facets on the
building.
Initial parameter set for overall tower
dimensions, subdivision modules, and their
relationships.
Left: Engaging Structural Engineer’s theoretical
solution to the optimal diagrid angles. Right:The
final values of zn elevations documented at the
end of Construction Documents phase.
An example of structure to exterior
wall relationship description

6. CASE STUDY 3
An example of generative logic for
defining the
relationship between structural
centroid and exterior wall
Figure 9.An example of
generative logic (the exploded
option) for exterior wall
expression panel geometry.
Expression panel zone is defined
by the dotted lines enclosing the
gap between surfacesLeft: Panelization strategy
for cable net wall at podium. Middle:
Panelization strategy for cable net wall
at observation deck.
The Design Process
The master model described here did not grow
out of a desire to extend the capabilities of
AUTOCAD platform as a design tool, but rather
the need for a platform for themathematical
development of the geometrical design moves
evolving in the tower.The operations in the
programmed code did not use AUTOCAD
specific functions, but AUTOLISP was used for
its ease of handling lists of data.The formulas
and generative logic were described in the code
with AUTOLISP

7. CASE STUDY 3
Left: Initial panel types of curtain wall. Right: Excel-based algorithm
documenting combination logic of curtain wall engineers, fabricators, and
glass manufacturers
Example of the panel dimension
optimization at cable net wall
Left:Visual representation
of the exterior wall panelization.
Middle:The rule-based logic for
combination documented in code.
Right:Visual model of this logic applied
to the original panelization method

8. OTHER EXAMPLES OF PARAMETRIC STRUCTURES
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Parametric Design Process of a Complex Building In Practice Using Programmed Code As Master
Model by Kat Park and Nicholas Holt
Architecture in Digital Age by Branko Kolarevic