Teaching Methodology for Parametric Design: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Digital computer technologies have had a significant influence on design education, particularly architectural design, which originally used CAD tools for representation and is increasingly integrating computers into the design process through the use of parametric and algorithmic software. With parametric design software taking its place in design schools, it has either been a component of the design studio or been offered as an elective subject. The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of the influence of methodological modifications on students' parametric design learning in a short amount of time by focusing on a parametric design course offered as an elective by the department of architecture. Two experiments were carried out for two consecutive semesters, and the results were compared to draw conclusions about the effects of: (1) the exercise, whether students learn and internalize parametric design principles while working on parametric design tasks that are developed for their design studio projects, or once they were given a unique design project for experimenting only on parametric design. (2) the mode of instruction, whether students learn parametric design better solo or collectively. The findings of two studies were collected from midterm and term project assessments that were evaluated according to complexity of the script, creativity, representation of the idea, and depth of parametric relations, as well as student inputs offered for the course both verbally and in writing. A data synthesis was utilized to develop findings regarding the process and the impacts of these two parametric design learning methodologies that were delivered in a short period of time. They were fed by student input to highlight the strong and poor aspects of the indicated techniques. This study may be utilized as a foundation for future research on parametric design course delivery techniques that seek to teach parametric design software in a short period of time.

Keywords: Computational design, Parametric design, Computer-aided design, Design education