Gains, losses and limitations in designing parametrically: A critical reflection of an architectural design studio in China

Abstract

This paper argues that learning to design parametrically in the architectural studio entails gains but also losses, since the parametric design approach tends to and encourage certain patterns of thought while discouraging others. This investigation complements previous research focusing mostly on technological aspects. Based on observational data from a parametric design studio in China, this paper discusses how parametric designing can pose challenges to existing design values and approaches, specifically within a Chinese context. It further draws attention to the limitations of parametric designing, which in the observed cases required both students and teachers to break and extend parametric models besides and beyond parametric variation to make them work architecturally. This paper aims to inform educators employing parametric designing in their architectural design studios as well as researchers who examine such studios. ©2011, Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA).