Senseless Parametrics
The application of parametric design for the sake of generating an interesting form is a pitfall that a lot of current designers tend to depend on. It's an easy trap to get stuck in, especially when designers can in their minds justify and rationalize abstract forms as the sum of a series of rigid and mathematical parameters. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Parametric design applied as a tool to influence the more functional aspects of a building is its most appropriate use and it makes the resulting forms much more compelling. When used effectively it can be a very powerful as a tool in improving building performance (solar, circulation, mechanical efficiency, etc) it gives much more meaning to the design.
Form for the sake of form
Form that is functional
Dom, I agree. Sometimes I wonder if the starkitects that design using parametric design consider the experience of those who actually use the building. When I was abroad in Rome, we visited the MAXXI museum by Zaha Hadid. Though the architecture was amazing, the circulation was confusing and I felt lost. In fact, I'm pretty sure I missed some exhibits because I literally could not find them. The building form does not provide the appropriate experience for its program, so I would argue that it is not good architecture.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if building performance can be improved as effectively without the use of the geometries. If so do we go back to the fact that they are just present for the sake of cool geometries?
ReplyDeleteThere certainly could be a parallel drawn between parametric design and autonomous architecture in that they both strictly follow a process in order to create this unknowing result. However form should not be created just for the sake of form rather once intention and reason are applied the parametric design begins to become successful.
ReplyDelete