Comparison of Parametric and Conventional Methods in Architectural Design Studio 102

1st International Conference on Innovative Academic Studies, Konya, Türkiye, 10 - 13 Eylül 2022, ss.314

Many architecture departments are transitioning from conventional methods to parametric

design methods. Some departments employ parametric methods in advanced architectural design courses,

while others employ them in introductory architectural design courses and even in fundamental design

courses. This study compares the success of student projects produced using both approaches. This study

focuses on the design study of a case in Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Architecture program’s

second term course 'Introduction to Architectural Design'. The subjects were divided into two groups, with

one group willing to use parametric design methods and the other group preferring conventional methods.

Participants are assigned equally to groups based on their most recent grade in the 'Basic Design' course

which is the last design studio that students attended. Each group was given two weeks to solve a single

design problem that consisted of a suitable cocoon for the students' anthropometry. Images in the course

brochure prompted students to investigate organic textures, and the list of design keywords included

anthropometry, shell, pattern, and non-Euclidean geometry. Students' final submissions were graded by

both academicians and master students. According to the group averages, the students who used parametric

design methods performed better. It can be said that parametric design methods are more effective when

applied to a design problem involving 3D pattern tasks in architectural design education.