The engineering world has long debated between parametric and nonparametric modelling. Both approaches have their own advantages and shortcomings, which often leads to a common question for beginners: which should I choose, parametric modelling or the other?
Many designers prefer the flexibility and freedom of non-parametric modelling, while others prefer parametric modelling for its ability to define features, parameters and check dimensions.The choice depends on what the aim is.
But what is parametric design anyway?
It’s difficult to define in a few words, and a search for “parametric design” or “computer-aided design” will turn up some dry explanations that may seem a bit too abstract and long. For example, Wikipedia describes it as “a paradigm of design where relationships between elements are used to manipulate and inform the design of complex geometries and structures”. It’s accurate, but not so clear-cut, and for most of us it doesn’t give us a satisfying answer.
A brief case study: relax bamboo pavilion projekt
The idea for this pavilion, which we designed, was born from the design of organic pavilion designs, using bamboo and sustainable materials.Using a computer program called Rhino, we fine-tuned a model of an organically curved (mushroom or abstract tree shaped / clitocybe geotropa ) shape; the shape could then be manipulated in many different ways, as the software allows you to create different geometric shapes by adjusting the parameters.
Like a spreadsheet, but more exciting
Think of it as a spreadsheet that you set up to perform calculations; you choose which mathematical function you are going to perform, you enter different parameters or even an interval, and your result depends on what those variables are. Basically, this is the parametric design process.
Time saver and game changer
Digital systems like these bring a whole new approach to designers. We can instantly update the 3D model of an object every time any of the constraints change. It is also economical; the time it would take to design such a lamp by hand, with so many iterations, would be prohibitively expensive. With computer-aided design, we can explore a wealth of creative possibilities – without exhausting resources.
Before computers, and before Rhino
Of course, parametric design existed before our digital times. Take the work of Antoni Gaudí, a Spanish architect whose work is famously found throughout Barcelona—he first used parametric techniques at the end of the 19th century.
Parametric design nowadays
Take a look and check out the SERPENTINE PAVILION BY BJARKE INGELS GROUP. The Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), was an ‘unzipped wall’ that was transformed from straight line to three-dimensional space, creating a dramatic structure that by day housed a café and free family activities and by night became a space for the different occasions for eg. programme of performative works by artists, writers and musicians.
Our own experience
Most software support both modelling concept in a way, because each one has it’s own comparative advantages:
Direct modelling can be great for creative work, while someone uses it to design a prototype or a nicely designed concept.
The parametric way can grasp every part of the whole design, and it’s more trackable along the process.
Direct modelling usually takes the lead in the amorph/generic forms design, but if you combine parametric with generative design, the tables turn. If you can define the proper and essential parameters of your concept and create the parametric model, the whole plan will be based on a set of variables. If you can determine the properties you want to have at the end of your project, with the help of generative tools, you can try out a wild variety of variable choices to find the optimal design. This can lead to many different variations and ideas which you never even thought of.
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2021/09.27
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