This learning unit is not being organized during year 2024-2025.
Language
English
> French-friendly
> French-friendly
Content
Description
This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to plan, devise, implement and revisit a parametric building design for a given site and for a range of environmental and construction-related considerations. The course uses Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper as well as other plug-ins to equip you with the necessary experience in parametric design.The course is taught fully in English.
Main themes
- Theory of parametric design
- Parametrising 3D modelling
- Grasshopper
- Environmental design (climate analysis, bioclimatic design, embodied environmental flows modelling)
- Intro to optimisation: Constraints and objectives
- Reflexivity in parametric design
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, you will be able to:- Plan, devise, implement, test, revisit and critique a parametric design for a given building;
- Embed a range of constraints and objectives into the parametric environmental design of a building;
- Present your work in a concise and graphically stimulating manner;
- Provide constructive feedback to your peers to help them improve their work; and
- Demonstrate awareness vis-à-vis the latest international developments in parametric architecture and design.
Prerequisites
A good of command of English, both written and spoken (level B2 at least).
Teaching methods
The subject is organised into 12 weekly seminars of 3 hours each.
The seminars are held online to facilitate paricipation across campuses.
Students are required to attend the seminar in person three times during the semester, in Brussels/St Gilles (first week, week 9 and last week).
The seminars are held online to facilitate paricipation across campuses.
Students are required to attend the seminar in person three times during the semester, in Brussels/St Gilles (first week, week 9 and last week).
Evaluation methods
Your performance is evaluated throughout the semester and through different means, as per the calendar below:
- Case study of parametric building: Due week 3: individually, prepare one A3 landscape poster of a building designed parametrically, presenting the outcome and the design process, with a critique of the building. (20%)
- Parametric Design Plan: Due week 6: draft report, describing your parametric design approach and how you intend to proceed (mandatory, 0%)
- Peer-review of Parametric Design Plan: Due week 7, 500 words peer-review of the Parametric Design Plan of one of your peers (10%)
- Parametric Design Report: Due week 12, 4000 words report describing your parametric design approach, and including the digital files, to be submitted online (55%)
- Parametric Design Presentation: Last week of the semester, In-person presentation about the report and the parametric design approach followed by questions and answers (15%)
Online resources
See the course on Moodle
Bibliography
Parametric Design in Rhino and Grasshopper:
- Tedeschi, A. (2014). AAD, Algorithms-aided design: parametric strategies using Grasshopper: Le Penseur.
- Di Marco, G. (2018). Simplified Complexity: Method for Advanced NURBS Modeling with Rhinoceros®: Le Penseur.
- Hollberg, A., & Ruth, J. (2016). LCA in architectural design—a parametric approach. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 21(7), 943-960. doi:10.1007/s11367-016-1065-1
- Stephan, A., Jensen, C. A., & Crawford, R. H. (2017). Improving the Life Cycle Energy Performance of Apartment Units through Façade Design. Procedia Engineering, 196, 1003-1010. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.08.042
- Stephan, A., & Crawford, R. H. (2016). The relationship between house size and life cycle energy demand: Implications for energy efficiency regulations for buildings. Energy, 116, Part 1, 1158-1171. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.10.038
- https://parametric-architecture.com/
- https://parametrichouse.com/
- https://grasshopperdocs.com/
- https://www.ladybug.tools/
Faculty or entity
