DESIGN EVOLUTION THROUGH PARAMETRIC DESIGN PROCESSES

Abstract

This dissertation aims at studying the process of design evolution through parametric design processes for parametric process involves logic / coded (non-visual) design moves. The background study includes three major sections which covers, target - end result, action - purpose and allied activity study. The first part (target - end result) answers the question what is the end product at the end of the design process (like composition, building component, analysis etc.). In this session crucial factors that affect the design in each category of the output are highlighted. In the second part (action - purpose) the activities used in the design process which needs a parametric approach are identified and discussed. The third part covers how this process of design is supported with allied activities for making the design implementable. Along with the above mentioned three sections, justification of why a parametric approach is used in the design process is discussed along with its pros and cons. It is advantageous; to study parametric design process in terms of action based classification (form imitation, form optimization & form finding) rather than product wise which is a case based approach. The design evolution process is compared by drawing parallels across this classification by mapping the process in each of the cases. At the end of the study, to demonstrate the advantages of parameterization, design exercises are carried out. There is one major exercise and few minor. The major design exercise done on Rhino + Grasshopper platform is a hypothetical design problem and is a combination of form finding and structural optimization process.