As we can see, parametric architecture is not new. But, how many of you know what it actually is? If you’re looking for some inspiration as to what kind of designs this technique produces, look no further than Disney theme parks!

The most famous example of paramateric design is probably Spaceship Earth at Epcot in Orlando, Florida. This building is shaped like a giant circle that resembles a spaceship. It takes advantage of the shape of its surrounding environment to create an interesting facade.

However, there are several other ways to use parmaetric shapes in your own architectural designs. By mixing different shapes together, you can achieve unique looks that would be difficult to recreate with only one style or shape of brick or stone.

Examples of parametric design

Recent trends in architecture include designs that use what are called “parameters” or “shaping tools.” These shaping tools can be used for either building shapes (like windows, doors, or other forms) or colors, textures, and materials.

Architects have been incorporating these into their work for some time now but recently they have become much more popular.

Why? Because you can use them to achieve almost any style! That sounds pretty impressive, right?

You see, most styles have certain features that are very defining. For example, say your style is Modern. One of the main components of modern style is its clean lines.

Windows, doorways, roofs — all are very clearly defined by their shape. Colors and materials match similarly so it becomes easy to tell where one element ends and another begins. And overall, the structure feels solid and well-defined.

That’s why those types of looks feel familiar to us. They go really well with many different styles, which makes them versatile.

But how do you create buildings that use these defining elements as parameters? Let’s take a look at some examples!

Example 1: The rounded window

In this video, we will be looking at some ways to build a house using a square floor plan, but with an attached garage that opens up like a boat.

Parameters in architectural design

The term “parameter” comes from engineering, where it describes something like diameter or length of an object. For example, if you want to make a cylinder out of steel, you need to know what size barrel you should use!

In architecture, some examples of parameters are wall thickness, floor height, roof pitch, etc. These things can be quantified and measured, but not necessarily with exact precision.

That is okay though! Because most people don't pay very much attention to these details, having them as variables allows for different architects to give their designs a sense of individuality.

Different designers may place importance on certain parameters more than others, but overall they all contribute to making your home or building unique.

Calculating the number of rooms in your house

In previous blogs, we discussed how to determine the height of a room based off its volume and ratio, as well as how to calculate the length and widths of a wall depending on the size of the space it is in.

Establish a plan

The first step in designing any space is establishing a plan. This can be done by deciding where you want your space to go, what functions it should hold and how many people will use it.

By doing this, you have already made an initial decision about the size of the space and what it will contain. Now, you need to determine if there are other limitations that affect the space such as walls or windows.

These constraints can limit what parts of the space you can use and/or require a separate entrance or exit. Make sure to factor these into your design!

After determining all of this, start drawing some basic lines and shapes. These can include dividers, doors, and so forth.

Once everything is drawn, move onto the next stage which is developing the proportions of the space. Add depth and dimension to give the space more life.

Finally, add decoration to emphasize the function of each area of the space. Decorate for intimacy, productivity, and entertaining.

Lessons learned

As we discussed, parametric architecture is not new, but it has become more popular in recent years as software engineers look for ways to reduce the amount of time spent designing interfaces. By using parameters instead of hard-coded values or pictures, you can create your own unique user interface (UI) patterns that shift with your design style.

There are several types of parameterized architectures, such as those used to describe house styles or clothing brands. However, one of the most common uses is to use shape parameters to control how much padding there is between elements in an interface. For example, if you wanted to make an interface similar to Google’s Gmail app, then you would need to know what kind of rounded rectangle they use for their action buttons.

By adding some general shape parameters into your site’s HTML and CSS, you can easily replicate this button style.

Future trends

Recent developments in architecture have been characterized by spaces that are not only complex, but also shaped dynamically or parametrically. Spaces no longer have fixed dimensions, instead they evolve with time and space.

This is sometimes referred to as adaptive spatiality, interactive space or even holographic design. Spaces contain components such as furniture, sculptures, art pieces, etc., which all together create an immersive experience.

The way these spaces interact with each other and their surroundings changes at any given moment due to different needs or activities happening around them. For example, you could place a table next to a window for outside dining, or put it next to a wall for reading or working.

These types of designs can be very cost-effective if done correctly because you do not need many expensive pieces of furniture. One chair and one table will usually enough to start creating this type of space. It is important to consider how people will use the space too.

There may be times when having more static space would be better, so think about what kind of uses the space will get before deciding. Also remember that some people prefer less interaction with the environment, so keep those things in mind when designing.