Parametric Building Development During Early Design [Crawford, CSIRO] 2002-060-B

Project participants and team members		John Crawford
Arup Australasia	Peter Bowtell,John Legge-Wilkinson
Woods Bagot	Stephan Langella, David Marchant
CSIRO	Miles Anderson, John Crawford- Project Leader, Robin Drogemuller
RMIT	Mark Burry
Central Node	Melissa James

This research project plans to investigate leading edge software tools and develop, as necessary, interfaces to promote the rapid optimising of architectural layout and structure based on parametric models. The term parametric in this context refers to the relationships among and between all elements of the model which will enable the coordination that we desire. Model relationships will be based on parameters such as building usage mix, respective floor areas, etc. which are key features in the architectural domain, while structural parameters such as structure type (reinforced or pre-cast concrete, steel, etc.) and minimum column centres are all crucial to the early design phase. In a similar way, the standard of HVAC and the forms of vertical transportation are vital mechanical parameters, while lighting levels, and type of metering are key electrical parameters.

Many of the important environmental factors may also be implicitly considered as relationships or combinations of parameters normally represented across these traditional descriptions of architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical systems. Beginning with a relatively simple rectangular building, and with architecture and engineering knowledge of various rules of thumb already in use by industry partners, the research team will work with parametric descriptions of building projects during the early sketch design stage to determine how a wide range of user requirements can be assessed from this simple outline. It will examine the methods for defining parametric models within the three major architecture, engineering and construction CAD systems (AutoCAD Architectural Desktop - ADT, ArchiCAD and Microstation Triforma) plus Catia (a leading parametric modeller), and a popular category of mixed use commercial/residential multi-storey developments has been chosen for analysis and implementation.