Parametric Design for Architecture

Architects use CAD to help them visualize their ideas. Parametric design is a fast- growing development of CAD that lets architects and designers specify the key parameters of their model and make changes interactively. Whenever changes are made the rest of the model updates automatically. Through a detailed description of various parametric, generative and algorithmic techniques, this book provides a practical guide to generating geometric and topological solutions for various situations, including explicit step-by-step tutorials. While the techniques and algorithms can be generalized to suit to any parametric environment, the book illustrates its concepts using the scripting languages of one of the most powerful 3D visualization and animation design software systems (Autodesk 3ds Max MAXScript), one of the most popular open-source Java-based scripting environments (Processing), and a brand new language specifically tailored for parametric and generative design (Autodesk DesignScript). This clear, accessible book will have a wide appeal to students and practitioners who would like to experiment with parametric techniques.Foreword by Robert Woodbury Introduction Versioning Iteration Mass-customisation Continuous differentiation The characteristics of a parametric system Object-orientation Case Study: The Austrian Pavilion Part I: Basic algorithmic concepts Algorithmic thinking Overall structure Data types and variables Expressions Logic and control Functions Iteration and recursion Objects, classes, attributes, and methods Events and callback functions Part II: Parametric patterns A note on the terms parametric, algorithmic, and generative Controller: Tutorial: A parametric circle; Case Study: Aviva Stadium Force field: Tutorial: Attractor Repetition: Tutorial: Fibonacci number generator Tiling: Tutorial: Hexagonal tiling pattern;Case Study: RK4 Tiles Recursion: Tutorial: Nested Geometry; Tutorial: Simple Fractals; Case Study: Genetic Stair Subdivision: Tutorial: Simple diagrid mesh; Tutorial: Tutorial: Deriving a diagrid mesh from a NURBS surface; Case Study: Screen for Eurocont Headquarters Packing: Tutorial: Circle packing; Case Study: Material Ecology Weaving: Tutorial: A simple ribbon; Tutorial: Weaving a NURBS surface Case Study: nonLin/Lin Pavilion Branching: Tutorial: Recursive branching; Case Study: Pluripotent Design Strategies/PS_Canopy Next Steps Afterword by Brian Johnson