No doubt that parametric design is gaining a wide acceptance and there are increasing demand for graduates who are prepared to use such a design paradigm to produce "unusual" forms.
Should parametric design be introduced at an undergraduate level in architectural education? which stage you think is suitable?
I think parametric design and algorithmic thinking should be taught to students of architecture as early as possible (let's say the first year), because architecture in its essence is an inter-/multi-disciplinary field; architects always deal with complex networks of parameters both quantitatively and qualitatively. Although the terms of "parametric" and "algorithmic" have been highlighted in recent decades, architects have been always dealing with similar principles. The main difference between the approaches in the past and the contemporary ones is that in the past they didn't and couldn't use computers and digital tools. So the ways of parametric/algorithmic thinking are among the main items that a student of architecture needs to learn.
In my opinion, learning software programs is also important but not as vital as the thinking strategies and techniques. Students may start learning software programs in second year of undergraduate programs.
Certainly not at undergrad level. We need students to learn design processes not software at this highly formative stage. Playing with parametric software could easily become an early obsession that blocks out other learning
It that depends totally about your school skills of communication grades .
@Aryan
Although I might agree that "parametric thinking" could be introduced as early as possible to design students, I think the earlier we introduce softwares the more computer-dependent students will become. Free hand sketching and group-based design help students to improve their nature creativity a way from external tools.
@Bryan
I agree... but what if we develop a non-CAD manual method that uses mode-making ,as a teaching method, that "seeds" parametric thinking in students' mind?
Parametric design/algorithmic thinking should be taught at undergrad level (around 2nd year). Instead of focusing on the generation of complex/non-standard geometry in specialized parametric/algorithmic/"other technical adjective" studios, it could be understood as one design method to be incorporated to the design toolbox to address real challenges. It requires studio professors to be familiar with parametric design (and/or have good assistants) in order to promote debates around the proper design theories and strategies that can take place for a given problem (housing customization, automating architectural detailing, adaptive infrastructure, exploring multi-use solutions, etc).
In the late undergrad or graduate level, parametric design/algorithmic thinking can be a gate to a rigorous computer science understanding of design. Depending on the graduate program it can lead to programming, data-structures, artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development, etc. applied to design.
Check our recent publication on this issue.
Article A pedagogical approach to integrate parametric thinking in e...
It would be useful if they could have this discipline as a curricular statement. I would say it would be easyer to learn if they have done some disciplines before such as: deal with CAD tool and first architectural/design project.
@ Deborah Macêdo dos Santos
Thank you Deborah...My paper has dealt with the some of the issue you raised. Article A pedagogical approach to integrate parametric thinking in e...
Dear Chaham,
I think the appropriate timing is dependable on when students have understood the general concepts of the architectural design process, then they can get specialized in any design methods or techniques. So, the appropriate timing is the late stage in a 5-year undergraduate program, or the graduate stage in a 3+2 program.
Best wishes.
Dear Mohammed... thanks for the answer... I invite you to read our paper which suggest that principles of parametric design can be successfully introduced at early design studios.
Article A pedagogical approach to integrate parametric thinking in e...