International Conference on Civil and Architecture Engineering (ICCAE-14) IOP Publishing

IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1056 (2022) 012004 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1056/1/012004

Introducing the Architecture Parametric Design Procedure:

From Concept to Execution
Ahmed A. Khamis1, *, Sherif A. Ibrahim1, Mahmoud A. Khateb1, Hesham Abdel-
Fatah2, Mohamed A. Barakat1
1
Architecture Engineering Department, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt
2
Mechanical Design Department, Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt

*
Corresponding Author Email: [email protected]

Abstract The parametric design process is one of the modern architectural trends. It assists in
the decision-making process during the early conceptual design stage. It introduces several
design alternatives from which the designers can choose to achieve the most suitable design
concept. Through this process, the BIM (Building Information Modelling) is considered as the
stage of converting the preferred design concept to execution drawings and building information.
Furthermore, the computerized digital fabrication stages will assist in building the desired model
in different scales for the final decision to be taken. This paper spotlight the overall parametric
design process workflow from the “design stage” (using Grasshopper which is a plugin in rhino
parametric design software) passing through the Revit software that is responsible for the
working drawings execution to the “manufacturing stage” using Simplify 3D software for the
preparation of the mock-up digital fabrication model using 3D printing.

Keywords: Parametric design, BIM, Digital Fabrication, Grasshopper, Simplify 3D.

1. Introduction

1.1. Parametric Design

The word "Parametric" is a derivative from the word "parameter,", which is taken from the Greek para,
which means "beside" [1]. In architecture, design is a solution to a problem; yet, the nature of the
problem is sometimes unclear, therefore the design process also requires learning about the problem.
Architectural design, according to Lawson [2], is "a process of finding and solving problems." As a
result, numerous alternative solutions may exist, and design, or finding a solution, becomes a selection
process. For Simon [3], this should be a sensible decision, yet aesthetic decisions in design may appear
irrational to others. "Exploration is exploring what variables might be appropriate" is how Gero defines
the design process. as one that “involves exploration, exploring what variables might be appropriate”.

Design is considered as the process of creating a problem description, then generating and searching
among options for a solution that meets the problem's requirements. Any quantifiable factor that defines
a system or sets its limits is referred to as a "parameter." The term "parametric design" refers to a
procedure, in which variables are used to produce a problem description. Further, By altering these
factors, a variety of potential solutions can be generated, and then a final solution can be chosen based
on a set of criteria, [4].

Jabi [5] describes the parametric design as "a design process based on algorithmic thinking that defines
and connects the needed parameter, in which the parameters together reinforce and clarify the
connection between architecture design goals and how the design will reply and try to solve problems"
in his book "Parametric Design for Architecture.". The notion of parametric design allows the designer
to establish relationships between elements or groups of elements, as well as assign values or expressions

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International Conference on Civil and Architecture Engineering (ICCAE-14) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1056 (2022) 012004 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1056/1/012004

to organize and govern those definitions, [6]. Dunn went on to say that the process would continue until
the intended outcomes were determined based on appropriate "performative" and aesthetic criteria.

Programming or creating code in a certain programming language can be used to construct a parametric
model. Various computer-aided design (CAD) applications, on the other hand, maybe modified to allow
parametric design. By utilizing their application programming interface (API), they can do a variety of
tasks. Recently, CAD systems with parametric functionality have become available, in which the user
can manage using a graphical user interface (GUI). This type of software is known as parametric
software, and it usually includes the ability to use a scripting three language to further customize the
parametric features. Users can use parametric software to create links and associations between
geometric objects and items that define variables or functions. Therefore, parametric design is also
known as associative design. The development of a digital model based on a set of pre-programmed
rules or algorithms known as 'parameters' is known as parametric modeling (or parametric design). That
is, rather than being manually edited, the model or components of it are generated automatically by
internal logic arguments. Hence, parametric modeling has set the stage for the expression of elements
as a set of relations that have variable dimensions [7-9]. To present fully ordered controlled architectural
forms, parametric design is defined as a design that is a rule-based producing variant to retain the
dependencies and relations between them.

1.2. Building Information Modelling

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has specific international standards that include sharing physical
and functional features in a digital representation for a built object that helps in forming a reliable basis
for making decisions during stages of execution of buildings” [10]. BIM was created from the fabricated
mock-ups [11] which are widely spread in the industry of petrochemical, automotive, or shipbuilding
[12]. BIM shows the life cycle of a real building virtually [13, 14]. BIM deals with parametric objects
that represent the building components [11, 15]. The designed building objects have geometric or non-
geometric features with functional or topologic information [12, 16]. Building information modelling
(BIM) has entered a lot of parametric modeling into majority building design. Nowadays these two
designing processes, BIM and parametric software have gained credit while sometimes inducing certain
forms of confusion.

1.3. Digital Fabrication

The history of fabrication technology began with a mass generation that was presented and created by
Henry Ford, founder of Passage Engine Company in early the 19th century [17]. This strategy worked
with creating the reproduced show. In this manner, the relationship between amounts, time, and
anticipate the quality precisely, and operational costs are cheaper. In Design, as in Lisa Iwamoto’s
Advanced Creations Structural and Fabric Methods that CAD innovation supplant drawing, advanced
creation brings unused understanding and extend the boundaries of engineering shape and development
[18], In addition, Seely [19] clarifies that advanced creation impacts the method of engineering plan
since of its basic part supporting the making of engineering models. Correspondingly, Dunn [20]
clarifies the reasons why understudies and the designer calling make models. Representation of creative
thoughts is crucial in design-based disciplines and is exceptionally important in architecture where we
frequently cannot see the result, to be specific building that built, until the conclusion of the plan handle.
The starting concept was created through a handle that permitted the creator to examine, re-examine,
and advance refine thoughts in detail that expanded to the point in such a way that the plan of the extend
prepared to construct. Models can be exceptionally flexible objects in this preparation, permitting
architects to specific thoughts creatively.

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International Conference on Civil and Architecture Engineering (ICCAE-14) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1056 (2022) 012004 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1056/1/012004

Digital fabrication has filled the crevice between conception and generation. Making a coordinate
advanced connect through “file-to-factory” forms of computer numerically controlled (CNC)
manufacture [21]. Within the early 2000s, prototyping gear, such as laser cutters and 3D printers,
significantly dropped in cost, and Open-Source equipment advance popularized these advances.
Advanced manufacturing innovation got to be superior and more available, and the mental exercises
empowered by modern innovation got to be more esteemed and critical. Mechanical originators may
create prototypes in days rather than months [22]. Furthermore, there may be a significant definition of
computerized creation, a preparation that starts with an advanced plan and closes with yield from a
manufacturing machine. Computerized manufacturing is an instructive and movement worldview, in
which multidisciplinary information consolidates 2D plans, 3D plans, utilize of devices and machines.
Advanced creation comes from CAD (Computer-aided plan) at that point exchanged to CAM
(Computer-aided fabricating) computer program. The yield from CAM is prepared to fabricate to a
particular machine, like a 3D printer or CNC processing machine.

In the late ’90s, the first digital fabrication labs are founded in architectural schools, and they were an
outcome of the relationship between the architecture and mechanical engineering laboratories [23].
Rapid prototyping and CNC routers were the primary machines for fabricating models in engineering.
Within the following years, techniques and methodologies have fast extended. Primarily there are three
steps for advanced manufacture work [24], which are:
• Digital design phase. This first step is generating a virtual model using CAD software. The 3d
model was exported as triangulated mesh or surfaced.
• The Preparing phase. Step for setting the manufacturing parameters and specific to the
fabrication, resulting in a CAM file then send to the machine.
• Fabricate phase. Manufacture parts for fabrication analogy based on the CAM data, with little
or no human assistance or interaction. Assembling the fabricated parts might need to achieve
their final properties and look before they are ready to use.

Furthermore, the fabrication phase focuses on:1) externalizing ideas and concepts into mock-ups,
prototypes, and products; 2) Select the technology needed and digital materials to transform ideas into
prototypes and products; 3) Work creatively and try to explore to construct with different fabrication
technologies; and 4) Visualize and represent artefacts in various ways while continuously adjusting [25].

Based on the previous introduction and background, this research aims to introduce the parametric
design workflow; starting from the architectural design concept to the execution process. This research
starts with an introduction illustrating a brief tracking of parametric design evolution, as well as,
fabrication processes. Moreover, the methodology of this research will be introduced, followed by
workflow description. Finally, ending with the conclusion.

2. Methodology
The workflow of a parametric design starts with using grasshopper to define the early-stage parametric
design concept, which gives a lot of design solutions’ alternatives. This process can be done through
many steps that include:
 Pools of solutions
 Forms Exploration
 Evaluation
 Refinement
 Optimization

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International Conference on Civil and Architecture Engineering (ICCAE-14) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1056 (2022) 012004 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1056/1/012004

3. Case study application

A case study model was designed as a revolved tower comprising a series of constant angles, whereas
the plans are increased in a constant ratio whilst revolving. The plans act as shading through the
extrusion of plans as an environmental solution for the tower. The scripting is done on canvas of the
grasshopper by the creation of a digital model based on a series of pre-programmed rules or algorithms
known as 'parameters' as shown in Fig.1.

Figure 1. The Scripting of a mathematical equation and algorithmic relation in Grasshopper.

The scripting is being interfaced on the Rhinoceros to be extracted the model on it. The scripting is about
algorithmic calculations that have to be done in the correct sequence way to produce the final model.
The model that was produced is a twisted tower in Dubai. It was made through mathematical calculations
in Grasshopper. Then the final model is interfaced on Rhinoceros to be baked.

Figure 2. The Scripting of a mathematical equation and algorithmic relation in Grasshopper.

Secondly, the model was exported to DWG file to be imported in Revit (building information modeling
program), then each plan is drawn for each floor level according to its concept shape slice in this floor.
The walls, floors, windows, and other building information modeling data are entered to produce the
final execution workshop drawings.

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International Conference on Civil and Architecture Engineering (ICCAE-14) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1056 (2022) 012004 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1056/1/012004

Figure 3. The exported file in Revit BIM to achieve the execution drawings.

Thirdly on finishing the final model concept on grasshopper, the file is being imported to simplify
3D which is a program for preparation for the digital fabrication on 3D printing. The program was used
to calculate the amount of plastic that will be used in designing the mock-up phase. It is used also to
calculate the time used, cost and give a video simulation for the 3D printer hand working on this mockup.
After several fabrications of porotypes of different scales, the Final model is being fabricated with scale
1:1 in which the elevation patterns and cladding are being fabricated.

Figure 4. The simulation for the preparation for the fabrication process through simplify 3D and measuring the
quantity of material needed and the time for the fabrication of the model.

After the fabrication of the model mock-up, the building is ready to be executed with scale 1:1 on
the site after finishing the working drawings and simulation for the civil drawings so the previous stage
is considered as a preparation for the fabrication process.

4. Conclusion
This paper is considered as an example for the application on the workflow of the parametric design
concept in which the design is formed by Grasshopper then the conceptual form is exported to Revit to
achieve the execution of working drawings for the plans where the architectural, structural, and MEP
drawings are designed, In parallel, the design is also exported to STL or ObJ format for the preparation
of fabrication process and fabricate mock-ups in different scales for plan slicing for laser cutting through
Slicer Fusion program or by 3D printing by simplifying 3D. The model is then formed to be ready for
real achievement.

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International Conference on Civil and Architecture Engineering (ICCAE-14) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1056 (2022) 012004 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1056/1/012004

Figure 5. The fabricated mock-up which was fabricated by a 3D printing machine.

This flowchart is showing the process for the workflow of the parametric design from concept to
fabrication:

Figure 6. The workflow for a parametric design concept to fabrication.

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International Conference on Civil and Architecture Engineering (ICCAE-14) IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1056 (2022) 012004 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1056/1/012004

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