The Autonomy of Architecture or … The Architecture of Autonomy ?

"Architecture is not an isolated or autonomous medium, it is actively engaged by the social, intellectual, and visual culture which is outside the discipline and which encompasses it ... It is based on a premise that architecture is inevitably involved with questions more difficult than those of form or style."

Robert Somol and Sarah Whiting speak in depth on the critical aspects of architecture and which mediums have directly influenced modern architectural movements.  Considering autonomous architecture versus parametric architecture, they seem to be two separate design methods, but I believe parametric is just a further developed iteration.  Autonomous is a geometry, externally-driven design method, where function follows the form; whereas, parametric is described as system of parameters that help create a geometrical form.  I strongly believe this object-celebrated production, is simply a modified version of autonomous architecture, not a separate design method.

For example, the Kuka Robot; it is an industrial robot that produces solutions for factory automation.  Today’s technology has produced an autonomous android that works within a set of parameters to assist architectural design.  Contrary to belief, this method is still driven by man, as it carries out tasks entered into its’ system, such as, weather data, code regulations, etc.  These robots can run a simulation, to gauge the impact and reactions prior to construction, they are just one step ahead.  In conclusion, I don’t view autonomous architecture and parametric architecture as two different design methods, but rather an evolution of decision making.