Pandametrics (The Zen Art of Parametrics) – Episode I

Defining Pandametrics:

Parametric design – defining a series of design processes by a set of adjustable parameters

Zen – enlightenment through meditation, self contemplation and intuition

Not a panda...but pretty Zen

In structural engineering when we talk about parametrics we are traditionally talking about our modelling and design workflows, where the input parameters are a series of geometric definitions such as intersecting circles, variable frame settings, definable surface forms etc.

However, we often meet many definitions of parametric throughout the construction industry, just as we meet many definitions of BIM (an argument for another day)!

The zen art of parametrics, or Pandametrics as we like to call it (in true naming workflows and software after animals fashion), is using our experience and intuition to pick the right parameters for the most holistically efficient design workflow. 

A brief aside,  As I'm writing this at this years Autodesk University 2015 I'll take this opportunity to point out that architects and engineers who have been using parametric design, you're the choir and this is piece is going to come across as me preaching what you already know, although hopefully with a few talking points or bits you've not considered. Primarily this is written from the point of view of talking to those who haven't used parametric design but are considering making the plunge. Anyway, I digress, back to the content...

Why Panda? –  Some Chinese philosophers believe that the black and white of the Panda represents the opposing forces of Yin and Yang and in the time honoured tradition of using animal names for workflows and plugins we have focused on the Panda. Is there an animal more zen that representing the balanced peace and harmony of parametric design? 

Zen Panda

Let's expand that…

When I am asked to create a parametric model my first task is to work out what the key adjustable inputs are that can optimise our solution and most importantly what constitutes ‘optimised’.

We should talk about what we mean by optimised as it forms the foundation of the parametric process. In my experience, optimised in terms of building structures could be any number of things, for example:

• A found form which produces pure structures such as a pure tension structure, or a pure arch.

• a form which is confined by specific criteria such as avoiding ponding, or minimum curvature. 

• a structure which can be mapped to a specific aesthetic but adjusted for material performance.

• workflows which improve interoperability speeds to allow rapid prototyping and analysis. 

• a structure which is optimised for alternative key performance indicators such as cost, or additive material tonnage, or reductive material tonnage, or aesthetic, or energy performance, or user comfort…..the list goes on ad infinitum.

Benefits of Parametric Design

The largest benefit of producing a parametric model should come from an understanding of

1. the specific outcome you are looking to achieve; and
2. which small group of inputs with best help you achieve this.

One thing I can say for certain is that creating a parametric design process without fully understanding both of these will end in something too unwieldy to be practical or so inflexible it finds itself on the scrap heap the second your input requirements change. 

The basic benefit of all parametric design (sweeping statement coming) should be to make your design processes more efficient and anything that has to be binned off at the first hurdle because it's too inflexible fails even this simple test.

And I’m gonna stop right there… right before launching into the do’s and don’ts of parametric modelling, mainly because this blog is getting a bit on the long side, but also because it means when we return for the thrilling conclusion there will also be a hint of the workflows we’ve developed and a lead in to the free bit of software for download that Ricky has been pioneering….watch this space