Parametric and Digital Architecture28107
- Centre
- School of Architecture
- Degree
- Bachelor's Degree in Architecture
- Academic course
- 2023/24
- Academic year
- 5
- No. of credits
- 5
- Languages
- Spanish
- English
- Code
- 28107
TeachingToggle Navigation
Teaching guideToggle Navigation
Description and Contextualization of the SubjectToggle Navigation
We can define Parametric Architecture like the one that turns to the construction of a logic
process that can be feed with several input values in order to get not one but a series of variations.
Really it is not very different that usual project methods, by using parametric processes we build
the algorithm before and afterwards we try different values that make the final result. In that
case the procedure is explicated into the algorithm.
It is an useful way to reflect on the mechanism we use to solve architectonical issues.
Digital fabrication in Architecture is a relatively recent phenomenon; it is a sub-category of
Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) since it utilizes
computer-controlled machines as tools. Using these kinds of tools we can fabricate in different
ways. By cutting, carving or making parts, using both additive and subtractive systems.
Skills/Learning outcomes of the subjectToggle Navigation
General Objectives:
Introduction and knowledge about 3D modelling tools within Architectural process.
Introduction and knowledge about algorithms generating tools and generative
processes.
Introduction and knowledge about Digital Fabrication tools linked to the materialization
of the architectonical design.
Specific Objectives:
Using of CAD software, specifically NURBS based software, as a support of generative
tools within Architectural process.
Using of Algorithmic Development tools, specifically visual environment based tools, as
a support of plenty functional algorithms in Architecture.
Using of digital fabrication tools in order to develop physical models.
Theoretical and practical contentToggle Navigation
Module 1. Parametric Design Tools I. Geometry y Parametrization.
Module 2. Parametric Design Tools II. Form Control and Discretization.
Module 3. Digital Fabrication Tools
Module 4. Design and Digital Fabrication Workshop.
MethodologyToggle Navigation
The course is based on ERAGIN-Project Based Learning (PBL). In this way the students organised in
groups will deal with different exercised that will be focused on several real questions.
Depending on the complexity of the tasks, at least 3 exercises will be developed.
The structure of each project follows the scheme bellow:
1st Part
Project presentation
1. Basic Theoretical introduction about geometric concepts.
2. Basic Tutorials about algorithmic development.
2nd Part. Workshop
3rd Part. Presentation
A. Each group has to explain briefly his idea by a public oral presentation. (5 minutes long)
B. Each group should prepare a panel explaining the idea, chosen place, references. ( 1 panel A1 PDF) The
panel will be uploaded to EGELA after the presentation.
C. In order to improve the understanding of the whole idea, photos, sketches, schemes, physical models,
anything valid are welcome.
D. Any idea has to be developed from a parametric point of view. In this way, you have to bear in mind how it
would be build up by using algorithms. How can you use Grasshopper into the process, throughout the
whole process or in a part at least. This point will be specifically reflected on the presentation
Assessment systemsToggle Navigation
- Continuous Assessment System
- Final Assessment System
- Tools and qualification percentages:
- Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 100
Ordinary Call: Orientations and DisclaimerToggle Navigation
The subject will follow a continuous evaluation including the entire projects. The student’s career
and the participation during lectures, tutorials and workshop sessions will be taken into account.
This evaluation method requires a maximum attendance of the students.
The final evaluation of the subject will be obtained through of a weighted mean of the former
projects. It will be indispensable to fulfill all the deliveries to pass the subject.
Students who cannot attend the lectures and workshops during the course due to justified
reasons will have the possibility of proving the abilities and competences related to the subject
through a final evaluation. Thus, any student who wants to renounce the ordinary call
(continuous assessment) must deliver a written notification and justification to the teacher
during the first month of the course and will have the possibility for a final evaluation
consisting on the delivering the exercises developed during the course.
Extraordinary Call: Orientations and DisclaimerToggle Navigation
We assign the same weight to each Project that could be developed during the course.
Therefore, the global mark will be the arithmetical average of the marks depending on the
number of proposed exercises.
Eventually, the work time assigned to some specific project could be the cause of the
redistribution of the mark percentage proportionally to the complexity or overall the time
assigned to it. In any case, it will be defined previously in the Schedule of the Course.
Compulsory materialsToggle Navigation
Grasshopper is a visual programming editor developed by David Rutten. It is a plug-in for
Rhinoceros 3D modelling environment based on NURBs
Grasshopper and Rhino offer us the opportunity to define precise parametric control over
models, the capability to explore generative design workflows, and a platform to develop higherlevel
programming logic.
Both programs are at your disposal installed in the computers at the Computer Rooms. Besides
you can install a trial-version of them for free during 3 months.
BibliographyToggle Navigation
Basic bibliography
SCHUMACHER, Patrik. Parametricist Manifesto
POTTMANN, Helmut. A. Asperl, M. Hofer, A. Kilian. ARCHITECTURAL GEOMETRY. Bentley I.
Press. Exton, 2007
TERZIDIS, Kostas. ALGORITHMIC ARCHITECTURE. Architectural Press, London, 2006
KOLAREVIC, Branko. ARCHITECTURE IN THE DIGITAL AGE. DESIGN AND
MANUFACTURING. Spoon Press. NEW YORK, 2003
CARPO, Mario. The Alphabet and the Algorithm. MIT Press, Cambridge, 2011
CARPO, Mario. The Second Digital Turn. MIT Press, Cambridge, 2017
WOODBURY, Robert. ELEMENTS OF PARAMETRIC DESIGN. Routledge. New York, 2010
DOLLENS, Denis. DE LO DIGITAL A LO ANALÓGICO. Gustavo Gili. Barcelona 2002.
In-depth bibliography
SHELDEN, Dennis. DIGITAL SURFACE REPRESENTATION AND THE CONSTRUCTIBILITY OF
GEHRY'S ARCHITECTURE. Thesis Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of
Architecture.
VELTKAMP, Martin. FREE FORM STRUCTURAL DESIGN. IOS Press BV. Amsterdam 2007
JIANLONG, Zhang. CHENGYU, Sun. Tongji University, GLOBAL DESING AND LOCAL
MATERIALIZATION. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Milena Stavric, Predrag Sidanin, Bojan Tepavcevic. ARCHITECTURAL SCALE MODELS IN THE
DIGITAL AGE.
DUNN, Nick. DIGITAL FABRICATION IN ARCHITECTURE. Laurence King Publishing. London,
2012.
IWAMOTO, Lisa. DIGITAL FABRICATIONS. Architectural and Material Techniques.
Princeton Architectural Press. London, 2009
BEORKREM, Kristopher. MATERIAL STRATEGIES IN DIGITAL FABRICATION. Routledge. New
york, 2013
GONZALEZ QUINTIAL, Francisco. METODO DE ADAPTACION DE FORMAS DE DOBLE
CURVATURA MEDIANTE SUPERFICIES DESARROLLABLES Tesis Doctoral.
Web addresses
Rhinoceros. NURBs modelling for Windows http://www.es.rhino3d.com/
Grasshopper. Generative modeling for Rhino http://www.grasshopper3d.com/
KHABAZI, Zubin. Generative Algorithms. http://www.grasshopper3d.com/page/tutorials-1
PAYNE, Andy. Grasshopper. PRIMER. http://www.liftarchitects.com/downloads/
ISSA, Rajaa. ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS for computational design.
http://www.digitaltoolbox.info/
http://livecomponents-ny.com/
Examining board of the 5th, 6th and exceptional callToggle Navigation
- CASADO REZOLA, AMAIA
- GONZALEZ QUINTIAL, FRANCISCO
- MITXELENA ETXEBERRIA, ALEX
GroupsToggle Navigation
01 Teórico (Spanish - Mañana)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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1-2 | 10:00-11:00 (1) | ||||
4-5 | 10:00-11:00 (2) | ||||
8-9 | 10:00-11:00 (3) | ||||
11-12 | 10:00-11:00 (4) | ||||
14-15 | 10:00-11:00 (5) |
Classroom(s)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (1)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (2)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (3)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (4)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (5)
01 Applied computer-based groups (Spanish - Mañana)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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1-15 | 13:30-14:00 (1) |
Teaching staff
01 Workshop (Spanish - Mañana)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-2 | 11:30-13:30 (1) | ||||
3-3 | 10:00-14:00 (2) | ||||
4-5 | 11:30-13:30 (3) | ||||
6-6 | 10:00-14:00 (4) | ||||
7-7 | 10:30-14:30 (5) | ||||
8-9 | 11:30-13:30 (6) | ||||
10-10 | 10:00-14:00 (7) | ||||
11-12 | 11:30-13:30 (8) | ||||
13-13 | 10:00-14:00 (9) | ||||
14-15 | 11:30-13:30 (10) |
Teaching staff
Classroom(s)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (1)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (2)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (3)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (4)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (5)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (6)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (7)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (8)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (9)
- Aula 2.06 - CENTRO ELBIRA ZIPRITIA (10)
61 Teórico (English - Mañana)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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1-2 | 11:00-12:30 (1) | ||||
4-5 | 11:00-12:30 (2) | ||||
7-8 | 11:00-12:30 (3) | ||||
10-11 | 11:00-12:30 (4) | ||||
13-14 | 11:00-12:30 (5) |
Teaching staff
61 Applied computer-based groups-1 (English - Mañana)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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1-2 | 12:30-14:30 (1) | ||||
4-5 | 12:30-14:30 (2) | ||||
7-8 | 12:30-14:30 (3) | ||||
10-11 | 12:30-14:30 (4) | ||||
13-14 | 12:30-14:30 (5) |
Teaching staff
61 Workshop-1 (English - Mañana)Show/hide subpages
Weeks | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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3-3 | 11:00-15:00 (1) | ||||
6-6 | 11:00-15:00 (2) | ||||
9-9 | 11:00-15:00 (3) | ||||
12-12 | 11:00-15:00 (4) | ||||
15-15 | 11:00-15:00 (5) |