Convergence

CHAPTER 4PARAMETRICS AND COMPUTATION

What we’re beginning to see is a kind of convergence of intelligence in the design process—that cultural, physical, representational, sociological issues are becoming far more entwined in the way we can piece things together. Just as all kinds of information converges on our screens, I think it is beginning to in the things we design.

—Sam Jacob¹

Building information modeling (BIM) software enables the creation of three-dimensional parametric models that include both geometry and nongeometric design and construction information. A change made to one element in BIM software, for example, is reflected consistently across the model to keep other components, views, and annotations consistent. In other words, with parametric BIM, a change in one place is a change everywhere. This ability assures increased coordination and decreases the likelihood of design or documentation errors, while easing collaboration between teams, because it ensures that when changes in the model are made, all information—whether door type, floor area, or schedule—is updated both automatically and dynamically. Because BIM is rule-based, other parameters in BIM could include positional data, dimensions, manufacturer’s data, and algorithms describing form.

1 Deutsch Insights, Parametrics and Computation Convergences, 2017.

The book explores convergences in contemporary ...