Monday, March 8, 2010

Your History of Parametrics?

As my research moves on, I would like to ask a new question to those of you who have been following. As we all know, parametrics is distributed in a wide array of softwares, technologies, theories, and scales of operation. One would be hard-pressed to give it a definitive identity. But what about its history? I would like to ask YOU about your history of parametrics.

Where/when/how does the history of parametrics begin? Who were the significant players in this history? What significant moments or projects would you place in the history of parametric design? If you have any thoughts, please comment.

And again, thanks to everyone who participated and facilitated my initial survey. With 60-80 responses, this is very very good. With this comment I am officially closing out the initial survey (unofficially it will remain open for any stragglers).

1 comment:

  1. In terms of parametrics in the architectural sense of the word (as opposed to automotive or aeronautical) I think one of the first projects was The Great Fish of Barcelona by Frank Gehry (1989 - 1992). It's not a building but it's the first example i've come across of a structure designed by an architect using parametric tools. Apparently Gehry wanted a way of describing doubly curved surface and accurately transferring this information to fabrication. He found that the people designing the Mirage jet in France were using CATIA to do exactly what he wanted and so used it on this project. There's some good information on the history of digital design in a book called 'Digital Design and Manufacturing - CAD/CAM Applications in Architecture and Design' and I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in parametric technology and its applications.

    ReplyDelete

How familiar are you with the term “Parametric?”

How familiar are you with the term “Parametric Urbanism?”

How familiar are you with the profession of Urban Planning?

How relevant do you think “Parametricism” or “Parametric Urbanism” is to the profession of Urban Planning?

How relevant do you think “Parametricism” or “Parametric Urbanism” is to the creation of city plans, planning documents, or planning policies?

How appropriate do you think it is for urban planners to be trained in the use of “Parametric design” tools or to study “Parametricism?”

Do you think the profession of Urban Planning could benefit from the use of Parametric design tools or from utilizing logics of Parametricism?

Do you think city plans, planning documents, or planning policies can be “Parametric?”

If you answered yes or maybe…. In what way could city plans, planning documents, or planning policies be parametric?

How significant do you think the role of “Digital Technology” is in the profession of Urban Planning?

How significant do you think the role of “Digital Technology” is in the creation of the built environment?

How much do you feel the profession of Urban Planning substantially contributes to the creation of the built environment?