Defining parametric

After reading the Animate Form of Greg Lynn I was trying to understand the intention of the writer. Especially as an architect he is known as a boundary-breaking in design buildings, in love with biomorphic shapes, absolutely against the traditional forms of symmetry and proportion. His studio conceptualize a new approach, which uses calculus, digital modeling tools for design and fabrication, just to lead to unique shape composed by tuned elements.

Going deeply thru the topic, I watched a lecture in with he give a speech about organic form.  Lynn speak a lot about beauty of nature withdrawal in perfect proportion, geometry and mathematic roots in architecture. About model of beauty of nature which has changed during the ages until now, when calculus based was discovered and change the way of looking for beauty. Moreover advance in digital tools which helps nowadays for designers to go further, out of traditional forms .

His theory is illustrated with example of the gothic architecture, when for the first time force and motion define the form (construction become a form). Starting examples from the cathedra of Christopher Wren, later Antonio Gaudi till modern times with project of Norman Foster. In all the examples he has given, structure is determined force.

Greg Lynn admits that is not interested in an ideal form because the ideal form is limiting. That is how he define parametric, not looking for perfect symmetry and ideal, optimized form but exception. For him invention of generic form during generic revolution is component to think of. His idol is William Batson, who was more theoretic than Darwin, looking for rules not focus on norms, nor ideal form, but for exceptions. Batson rule – of symmetry finger - lead to conception of breaking the symmetry looking for combination.

Nowadays digital medium that we use is calculate base. By that we don’t have to think of dimensions in term of ideal unit, only about big assembly of components- which we only have to organize. Calculus based is a term defining also curves, which can optimize for us the shape. In that case its more easy combine with the shape but it’s harder to define the proportion using. Like staircase in his Queens church, every piece of elevation is different with different directions but fallow the same line. All in all components are linked to each other and create unique form. Without mathematics dynamic of form won’t be possible, all the components are like a pack of data, which in the end, effect in harmony and synthesis of elements. It’s a set of curves, which are removable, by what we can get lot of effects with the different combination of elements. It’s a single calculation for every single component, but each one is fitting to another.

Lynn means changing in colors are changing with the shape, changing in mass which result in plans of floors - unique shape and size – lead to envelope of change.

According to the book „Animate Form” author try to define the difference between animation and motion. He says that architects are really close to animation, because the way of transfer of projects has changed from using pencil to computer, but they are still far away from showing motion. Contemporary animation and the special software just now are being introduces as a tools for design.

 “The dominant mode for discussing motion in architecture has been the cinematic model, where

the multiplication and sequencing of static snap-shots simulates movement.”

Architectural form is created in a dimensional space of idealized stasis, defined by Cartesian fixed-point coordinates. An object defined as a vector whose trajectory is relative to other objects, forces, fields and flows, defines form within an active space of force and motion. This shift from a

passive space of static coordinates to an active space of interactions implying a movement.

“Curvature in a temporal environment is the method by which the interaction of multiple forces can be structured, analyzed, and expressed.[…]is a mode of integrating complex interacting entities into a continuous form. […] The curvilinearity which results from these multiple parameters has previously been simplistically understood as a debased form of linearity, but in fact, it is the ordering of a dynamical system of differential factors.”

The shapes that are formed in computer-aided design are the result of decisions made during use of parameters. Numerical data which describe characteristics of the virtual design environment, such as temperature, gravity, and other forces, have an impact on the forms we design.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/pl/greg_lynn_on_organic_design.html

“Animate Form” by Greg Lynn