Introduction

My name is Alan and I came from Hong Kong. I

have completed 2 years of architectural studies
and I am here to finish my last. During my stud-
ies, I have used Revit most of the time. It is a
parametrics design tool I know. My philosophy
of architecture is that an architecture should be
different in form and functional, unique in the My second last project in Hong Kong, open building design
in residentual block, made by Rhino.
way it expresses itself in those terms.

I am also interested in designing according to

the site. Thus, I am fascinated by parametric
design in how it evolve and adapt to different
conditions. Also, parametric design is so inter-
esting is because what I have found in soft-
wares such as sketchup is that it is easy to start
building a model but it gets more time-con-
suming later on as I wanted to make changes
to the model, that I had to delete and remake
the parts. Revit, on the other hand, is easy in
making changes. I only needed to change the
values in the parametrics, ie. length of a wall,
and the model would rebuild itself.

This is one of the reasons why I am interested

in parametric design. I am also interested in
seeing how parametric design softwares create
organic patterns and can evolve as you change
certain values. I am eager to explore its poten-
tial.
My final project in the last semester in Hong Kong, the Spiral
Tower. Revit was used to create the model.
Design Futuring
Fig 1: Walt Disney Concert Hall, L.A., California, Frank Gehry, 2003
Design Futuring has become a big issue in the
architectural realm because our human existence carries
impact on the environment and which then threatens
our own future existence. Parametric design assists our
design intelligence so that we can make better decisions.
In increasingly more unsustainable worlds, design
intelligence would deliver the means to make crucial
judgements about actions that could increase or decrease
futuring potential.1
Parametric design helped pushed design
process forward and create architecture that
otherwise is impossible
In parametric design, it is the parameters of a particular
design that are declared, not its shape. By assigning
different values to the parameters, different objects or
configurations can be created. Equations can be used to
describe the relationships between objects, thus defining
an associative geometry. That is, the ability to define,
determine and reconfigure geometrical relationships is of
particular value.2
Parametric design has been pioneered by architects
such as Frank O. Gehry who begun to exploit digital
technology originally developed for the automotive and
airplane industry for architecture. Gehry imported a new
way of thinking into architectural design.
Built in 2003, Gehry’s technology offered new ways to
control architectural form. It revamped the technical
workflow of todays architecture industry.
It allows architecture to react to any change in the
context, the environment and rules and regulations.
Enabled a completely digital workflow from design to
manufacturing. This has changed the technical workflow
in the industry of architecture.
Fig 2: Gehry’s sketches are then put into computer for 3D modelling
Fig.3: Achieving accuracy in buildi
The concept is to create a sense of disharmony as
represented by Gehry’s style, deconstructivism.
But at the same time it creates an interesting
composition of geometries that became the
landmark in the site, Los angeles. Gehry initially
began experimenting on the geometry using
sketch and then later paper models. The design
is then put into computer software to control the
precision of the actual form for further design
development.
To calculate the complex shapes of the curves Walt
Disney Concert Hall was used to Catia software. This
allowed him to determine the structure and shape
of each piece of steel that covers them.3
Similar to the Bilbao Effect observed from The
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, it attracted a
number of visitors and helped Los Angeles ‘s
economic situation, contributing to the economic
sustainability of the habitants in the area.
Unbuilt project that experiments and
bring revolutionary ideas
Another predecent is Eco-Sustainable Housing
project by Federico Rossi from 2007 Housing
Competition. It focuses on the development
of new housing typology in Oman, generated
through the accumulation of independent
variables into a system of relationships, where
the interdependencies generate a variation of
possibilities that is able to adapt to local conditions.
The development of inhabitable units will be
dependent on environmental variables and eco-
sustainable principles to achieve new spatial and
performative configurations.4
 Fig 5: Thickness of form responds to sun positions

ing construction5 Fig 4: Eco-Sustainable Housing Project, Oman, Federico Rossi, 20074 Fig 6: Achieving cross-ventilation
This project aims at contributing to the inhabitants the quantity of materials that will be cut from the
a sustainable living environment in an innovative landscape. The space between the units will be used
way of thinking how a place for living reacts with the for water collection during heavy rain storms.4
environmental conditions. The housing unit will use
a rhomboid framework constrained within two strips What changes?
to produce a parametric model. Through the control
of the width, length, and thickness of the surface it is Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall changed the
possible to create a responsive inhabitable unit that way how society and the practice look at architecture
increases the wall thickness in high temperatures should be. That not only architecture should bring
and deforms the rhomboid framework according to spatial interest to the area, despite being criticised for
internal pressure and wind velocity. its odd geometries and waste of materials, architecture
can be well integrated with digital technology and
The idea of improving the light conditions and creating made impossible designs possible. The Concert Hall
different micro climate areas inside the unit was changed the way architecture is produced in practice
solved with the use of local materials (limestone) and that an integrated and efficient way combining digital
simple manufacturing techniques. Cutting the stone design and fabrication is possible. As a result, the built
in different sizes that respond to the variation of solar environment can be more interesting than before.
radiation along a surface is possible thanks to complex
geometries, such as the arch. Eco-Sustainable Housing Project gives revolutionary
ideas how a building evolves according to the
Whenever we bring something into being we also environment. Buildings are no longer static but they
destroy something - the omelette at the cost of the can be smart.
egg, the table at the cost of the tree, through to fossil
fuel generated energy at the cost of the planet’s Again, all this is made possible with parametric design.
atmosphere.1 This means that we should make careful
decisions so that the cost to the environment is
minimized to achieve efficiency.

The project also tackles the aspect of minimizing

wastage in natural resources and materials, in order
to create this effective structure. To create a two
bedroom unit only eight cubic meters of limestone
are necessary; the waste cut will be used to create
mixed concrete for the foundation. The proliferation
of the units on the site will be driven from a quarry
organization. By arraying the units along the contour
lines of the topography it is possible to control
A1 Design Computation
Fig 7: ICD/ITKE Reseach Pavilion, Menges, Achim, 20078
Computing makes design process more
efficient
Traditionally, architecture has a phenomenon of self-
segregation and no collective intelligence that all parties
in the architectural production process are driven
by their own vision and goals, be it profit or certain
disciplinary knowledge and vision. There is also limited
communication between the architectural model and
disciplines. Design computation allows the process
of making no longer entirely linear. That production
becomes part of the design process. Designers can work
with structural engineers by allowing communication
between them by sharing information on a model in the
computer and picture how their buildings get assembled
in the construction process to create a 4-dimensional
model that includes time, enabling collective intelligence.
This is meaning that the design process is changed in the
way the many disciplines participate in the design process
much early on. The architects will serve as the overseers of
the exchange of information.6
Computation re-defines the process of
formulating solutions by criteria design
Data can be collected from analysing the situation
and input into a parametric model and it will generate
solutions based on the data. We should explore space by
generating solutions that satisfy different criteria by first
examining what criteria are there at the first place.
Tectonics of material, fabrication and
efficiency
Computation allows the model to be designed with
structural considerations and material considerations
and thus strengthening creative collaborative design
Fig 8: Structure and assembly of the Pavilion Fig 9: Honeyc
relationship between the architect and the
structural engineer as united in the practice of
research by design. The integration of digital
materiality and performative analysis enables a
potential contemporary tectonic expession.7
ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion demonstrates that the
computational generation of form is directly driven
and informed by physical behavior and material
characteristics. The structure is entirely based on
the elastic bending behavior of birch plywood
strips. The strips are robotically manufactured as
planar elements, and subsequently connected so
that elastically bent and tensioned regions alternate
along their length. The force that is locally stored
in each bent region of the strip, and maintained
by the corresponding tensioned region of the
neighboring strip, greatly increases the structural
capacity of the system. In order to prevent local
points of concentrated bending moments, the
locations of the connection points between strips
needs to change along the structure, resulting in 80
different strip patterns constructed from more than
500 geometrically unique parts. The combination
of both the stored energy resulting from the
elastic bending during the construction process
and the morphological differentiation of the joint
locations enables a very lightweight system. The
entire structure, with a diameter of more than
twelve meters, can be constructed using only 6.5
millimeter thin birch plywood sheets.8
We can see the performance of the pavilion is
tested under the tectonics of the materials and
then fabricated into realistic project that tested the
material’s boundary in its physical nature.
comb Morphologies, London, UK, 20049 Fig 10: Exploration of different forms
Computation expands possible geometries
for construction
The research pavilion aims at stretching the limitations
of the birch plywood strips material to create an
ultimate form and geometry. Without computation,
a structural analysis of the material would not be
possible. In the end, this ultimate form and geometry
would not be possible to create, the degree of
curvature of the plywood. Then, this collection of
materials would not have created this pavilion in this
particular geometry.
The Honey Morphologies also proves how
computation helps designers achieve suitable
geometries that they otherwise would not have
imagined to be possible.
This research was pursued as part of a MA dissertation
in Emergent Technologies and Design at the
Architectural Association. The central aim of the
research is the development of a material system with
a high degree of integration between its design and
performance. This integration is inherent to natural
material systems for they have been developed
through evolutionary means which intricately tie
together the form, growth, and behavior of the
organism. This research explores integration strategies
for a particular industrially produced material system
for use in architectural applications.9
Computation allows designers to work with
complex geometries to construction
The form went through a process of development
that was otherwise difficult without the help of
computation. Moreover, prototypes were developed
to explore cell depth and curvature parametric link.
Fig 11: Experimenting on different thickness of marterial
Again, this would be difficult without the use of
computation that allows prototyping. That is, architects
discovered they have the digital information that could
be used in fabrication and construction to directly
drive the computer-controlled machinery, making
the time-consuming and error-prone production of
drawings unnecessary. In addition, the introduction
and integration of digital fabrication into the design of
buildings enabled architects to almost instantaneously
produce scale models of their designs using processes
and techniques identical to those used in the industry.
Thus a valuable feedback mechanism between
conception and production was established.10 This
means that computation helped architects to be
able to produce complex geometries in a virtual
environment and get them constructed.
Performance oriented design is facilitated
by computation
This research develops a honeycomb system that is
able to adapt to diverse performance requirements
through the modulation of the system’s inherent
geometric and material parameters while remaining
within the limits of available production technologies.
A2 Composition/Generation
Fig 12: Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre, Kazakhstan, Foster + Part-
ners, 2008
Compositional approach with
computerization in the industry of
architecture
As pointed out earlier, Frank Gehry’s method of
production, that is still compositional, can be seen as the
use of computer as a tool, that is he has already a form/
geometry in his head and then just document and adjust
that on a digital platform. So a criticism to this kind of use
of computer is that creativity is limited and computer as a
tool has not used to its full potential, albeit its integration
in the digital production process.
Generative design in computation in the
industry
However, computation is different. Instead of modeling
an external form, designers articulate an internal
generative logic, which then produces, in an automatic
fashion, a range of possibilities from which the designer
could choose an appropriate formal proposition for
further development. The emphasis shifts from the
“making of form” to the “finding of form”, which various
digitally-based generative techniques seem to bring
about intentionally.10 The industry had begun to embrace
it on a large scale with positive attitude and have
achieved a lot with it.
Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre is a major new civic,
cultural and social venue for the people of Astana,
Kazakhstan. The building allows for a wide range of
activities within a sheltered climatic enclosure that
provides a comfortable environment all year round.
Temperatures in Astana can drop to -35 degrees Celsius in
winter and climb as high as +35 degrees in summer. The
cable-net structure is located at the northern end of the
Fig 13: Different form options were generated by responding to structural forces by generative
new city axis and rises to 150 metres to form the
highest peak on the Astana skyline. The three-layer
ETFE envelope is designed to shelter the enclosed
accommodation from weather extremes and to
allow daylight to wash the interiors. The building
encloses an area in excess of 100,000 square metres
within the dome. A viewing platform at the top of
the structural mast has dramatic views over the city
and the Steppes beyond.11
A form-finding algorithm was used by the team
to quickly generate design options for the cable-
net structure. The algorithm formed part of the
parametric model that was used to develop and
define the building form. The design team worked
closely with the project team from design concept
through construction documentation. The team
created parametric design tools to generate many
different enclosure forms and wrote a computer
program to simulate the structural forces of the
cable net structure and to generate the different
form options.12
This new design process, that is using algorithmic
design thinking and tools to create complex
building forms and structures that are well
integrated with other design disciplinary
knowledge, such as structural engineering, in
making the most efficient buildings, has been fully
embraced by many famous firms.
As revolutionary analytical tools
Generation has become a tool to analyse the
structure of buildings that are responsive to the
requirements of the environment, which is essential
to today’s practice in architecture.
e tools. Fig 14: Bao’an International Airport Terminal 3, Shenzhen, Massimiliano
Fuksas and Knippers Helbig Advanced Engineering 201213
Bao’an International Airport Terminal 3’s space
structure is covered The size and slope of the glass
openings are the two design parameters that were
adapted to meet the local requirements of daylight,
solar gain, viewing from the inside towards the airfield,
as well as the aesthetic intentions of the architect. After
generating and evaluating approximately 50 different
models for the terminal roof, a very simple linear
sequence of panels was chosen as can now be seen
on the completed building. In this project, the main
challenge for engineering was the generation of the
parametric data model, which allowed a new form of
communication and collaboration between architects
and engineers to develop.13
Without generation tool, the architect would not be
able to integrate the information from engineers and
come up with a structure that responses well to the
requirements in a timely manner. As compared to
the traditional practice, it would be too complex and
impossible since there are too many modules to design
for. Now, modulations can be made on the openings
after numerous simulations and testing and achieve
the overall efficiency.
Limitations of generative design
As good as generative design approach may sound,
currently in the industry, there are still many limitations have the ability to communicate their data to one
presented for generative design. “When architects
have sufficient understanding of algorithmic concepts, to be analysed and come up with solutions. Ability to
when we no longer need to discuss the digital as
something different, then computation can become
a true method of design for architecture.” 12 This
means that algorithmic ability of thinking in the
industry is still limited. That not all architects have
sufficient knowledge in this. This restricts the use the
Fig 15: Types of modules with variation of size and slope of glass panels.
of generative design in the industry. Technology in
construction, fabrication is another major issue. Many
builders do not possess technology that enables
construction of complex algorithmic structures, and
sometimes the architect has to deliver a building
as fast as possible to gain profit as the whole
construction process requires more financing with
time, and thus, there is no need for a generative
approach as there being not much time to research
and explore possible solutions.
Importantly, not all functions are computable, so not
all functions are algorithmically describable.14 This
means algorithmic thinking in generative design is
limited by the inputs, that such as human emotions
and political views are not computable as part of
the algorithm. There is no “ghost in the machine” in
the computational theory of mind. A computer does
what is told, driven by the designer, not the other way
around. This requires the designer to have trial and
errors and playing with inputs and their relationships
to achieve the desirable geometry.
Depends on communication between
specialists
After studying these precedents, the success of
generation design is thus dependent on whether
specialists, such as designers and structural engineers,
another, and then input into the parametric model
collaborate with one another is the key to success, or,
to failure.
Conclusion & Learning Outcomes

Conclusion: Learning outcomes:

Futuring and Generative design
We have to be sustainable in design and today’s
architectural industry has incorporated this idea and to
make it possible, they took inspirations from anything
such as how nature works or efficiency in structure
and material and developed 3D models of their design
from the design stage to the construction stage,
made possible by the use of computation, and varies
possibilities were explored only that is possible with
the help of the computer’s generative ability and the
designer’s computation thinking.
The industry is gradually shifting from the more
traditional way of thinking and production in practice
to a more complex one. There are many advantages and
disadvantages in the use of computation in generation
we should consider when we use such innovative
approach in design.
My approach
After learning from lectures and tutorials, my
understanding of computation/generative design
has grown from absolutely zero to a sufficient level
that I know why and how the architectural practice
adopt computation in their design process.
If given an opportunity, I would definitely work on
my office tower project. Since office tower is flexible
in its form and how it reacts to surrounding forces,
context and environmental, I could use generation to
first explore different forms that are affected by these
forces before coming up a concrete solution. Instead
of interpreting the brief and thinking of a solution by
sketching, now I could use a more automatic process
to find how my office would be erected through my
inputs and definition of constraints.
The outcome would be more integrated, more
dynamic and innovative that I would not have think
of in the beginning. This is the innovation that I
wanted in design.

I definitely have learnt the importance of the generative

design approach. It is innovative in the way of exploring
solutions in response to forces acting on the project by
the site, and the model that it produced can then be
fabricated using computer technologies such as a CNC
machine and digitally make the project physical.

This approach is an integrated approach that can push

architecture to the limit and also today’s technology
to the limit. All stakeholders in the design process can
benefit
Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches
Reference List:

1. Fry, Tony. 2008. Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice Oxford: Berg, 2008, pp. 4, 12

2. ComKolarevic, Branko, Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing. New York; London: Spon Press, 2003,
pp. 17

3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adel-zakout/top-10-buildings-parametr_b_838268.html

4. http://www.evolo.us/architecture/eco-sustainable-housing-parametric-design/

5. http://archpaper.com/news/articles.asp?id=7571#.VQtTGY6Uc0R

6. Kieran, Stephen, and James Timberlake. Refabricating Architecture: How Manufacturing Methodologies are Poised to
Transform Building Costruction. New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 13, 15, 23

7. Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture London; (New York: Routledge
2014), pp. 5-6

8. http://www.achimmenges.net/?p=4443

9. http://matsysdesign.com/category/projects/honeycomb-morphologies/

10. ComKolarevic, Branko. Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing. New York; London: Spon Press, 2003,
pp. 13, 57

11. http://www.bradypeters.com/khan-shatyr-centre.html

12. Peters, Brady. 2013. Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 10, 12

13. http://www.knippershelbig.com/sites/default/files/pdf/from_model_thinking_to_process-design_jk_2013.pdf

14. Definition of ‘Algorithm’ in Wilson, Robert A. and Frank C. Keil, eds. 1999. The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive
Sciences. London: MIT Press, pp. 11-12