Analogue Computation: An educational framework for introducing first-year architecture students to parametric design through manual making

Abstract

This paper describes an educational framework for introducing first-year architecture students to concepts of parametric design through manual making, without the use of digital tools. Responding to shifts in our current society and culture, the authors developed a new curriculum for the first-year-course “Architectural and Artistic Design” at the FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences and refined it over the last three years. The intention was to prepare students to their highly digitized future careers in architecture, by focusing on the thinking process, the major aspect of parametric design. The didactic concept of using analog tools reacts to the digital saturation of Generation Z students, and the post-digital re-awareness of physical and material aspects. Students engaged in a series of small tasks in open-ended “design through making” processes, applying parametric concepts for experimental form finding. The course assignment was to design a modular spatial structure, based on adjustable parameters of module geometry, connection strategy, and assembly logic. The results were assessed through student feedback and demonstrate the educational and creative value of this pedagogical approach and indicate that the students improved their understanding of parametric design as a thinking process beyond current technologies.