A material-based computation framework for parametric design education

Abstract

PurposeMaterial-based computation has been recently introduced in architectural education, where parameters and rules related to materials are integrated into algorithmic thinking. The authors aim to identify affordances of material-based computation in terms of supporting the understanding of parametric design, informing the process of parametric form finding in an educational setup and augmenting student learning outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose a material-informed holistic systems design framework for parametric form finding. The authors develop a pedagogical approach that employs material-based computation focusing on the interplay between the physical and the digital in a parametrically driven façade design exercise. The approach comprises two phases: (1) enabling physical exploration with different materials to arrive at the design logic of a panel prototype and (2) deducing embedded and controlled parameters, based on the interplay of materials and deriving strategies for pattern propagation of the panel on a façade composition using variation and complexity.FindingsThe results confirmed the initial hypothesis, where the more explicit the material exploration and identification of physical rules and relations, the more nuanced the parametrically driven process, where students expressed a clear goal oriented generative logic and utilized parametric design to inform form finding as a bottom-up approach.Originality/valueMost precedent approaches developed to teach parametric design concepts in architectural education have focused on universal strategies that often result in fixating students on following standard blindly followed scripts and procedures, thus defying the purpose of a bottom-up form finding framework. The approach expands the pedagogical strategies employed to address parametric design as a form finding process.

Teaching parametric design: fostering algorithmic thinking through incomplete recipes

“…A second theme is to incorporate material constraints or alternate between digital and material explorations in teaching. Abdelmohsen and Massoud (2021) propose a material-based computational framework for teaching parametric design. They argue that parametric design education is typically focused on universal strategies where students blindly follow scripts and procedures, thus negating a bottom-up form finding embedded in material logic.…”

“…Author Approach Alalouch (2018) Analog "serial of planes" method based on defining rules for manipulating planes Howe (2011) Method based on introducing algorithmic concepts through simple physical plane manipulations Abdelmohsen and Massoud (2021) The material-based framework, a bottom-up method to construct parametric designs starting from material constraints Oxman (2008) Studio settingan experimental digital studio in four steps: conceptualize a digital material, define a digital design model, select a context, and develop a taxonomy Schnabel (2013) Studio settingencourage students to focus on the parameters and rules that conform their designs Agkathidis (2015) Studio settinga method in three stages: Analysis, Morphogenesis, and Metamorphosis Agirbas (2018) A method based on using metaphors to guide parametric models Maldonado (2014) Studio setting -A method for teaching digital modeling and providing a framework for early design explorations using recipes Agirbas (2020) Provide students with ready-made scripts, students make "digital sketches"…”