Thinking in Parametric

Phenomenology

Paola Sanguinetti1, Chad Kraus1

1University of Kansas (KU)

This project explores the relationship between

phenomenology and parametric design. Architects have
made compelling arguments for a phenomenological
understanding of architecture, rooted in the subject and
in direct experience, for which the notion of intentionality
plays a central role. However, the inherent subjectivity of
phenomenology has remained a barrier to its use as an
explicit method of design thinking. On the other hand,
the wide spread use of parametric modeling, as a tool to
capture design intent, has led to theorizing
parameterization in architecture.

We propose that parametric design be reconsidered to

think methodologically and concretize the experience of
architecture. The research focuses on the use of
parametric modeling to support the representation of
experiential parameters. A case study is carried out as a
graduate design project involving phenomenological
description, parametric modeling, and fabrication. Results
are presented to identify recurring parametric structures
used by novice designers. We discuss the significance of
diagramming to incorporate a qualitative schema. It is
expected that the results will enhance the current
approach to the parametric design process.

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ACADIA Regional 2011 : Parametricism: (SPC)
ACADIA Regional 2011: Parametricism: (SPC)
 Parametric Design and the Phenomenology The question arises whether reducing the richness,
of Architecture complexity, and inherent subjectivity of phenomena to a
toolset based on an objective set of parameters presents
At its most basic level, the term phenomenology involves an irreconcilable contradiction. According to architects
the study of structures of consciousness, necessarily such as Tadao Ando, the true task of architecture involves
rooted in the subject and in direct experience, for which coaxing out the latent character of place through a
the notion of intentionality plays a central role (Husserl, transparent logic - open to reason and perception - and a
1970). In addition to the sophism that phenomenology is transformative process dissolving the complexities and
anti-positivistic, the inherent subjectivity of contradictions of the ‘concrete’ world through
phenomenology has remained a barrier to its use as an abstraction (Ando, 1991). This careful abstraction
explicit method of design thinking. Yet several architects succeeds in intensifying and concretizing the pre-
have made compelling arguments for a reflective or ‘given’ lifeworld (Husserl, 1970). At one level,
phenomenological understanding of architecture, focused parametric thinking is analogous to conventional design
primarily on exploring “questions of perception” (Holl et processes in that a set of conditions - or parameters - are
al 1994). The work presented in this paper explores the identified and analyzed, then preliminarily synthesized,
use parametric modeling to capture design intent and tested and reiterated, and ultimately implemented. In
support the representation and description of any design process, if the set of conditions are
architectural phenomena. misdiagnosed or misunderstood, the resulting design
solution has limited potential to flourish and design
Parametric modelers are embedded in Building integrity suffers. Beyond a front-loaded conceptual
Information Modeling (BIM) tools or added as a plug-in to design phase, the striking difference with parametric
other CAD tools (Eastman et al, 2008). The widespread thinking lies in its explicit structure that further
use of parametric modeling has led to much research and emphasizes initial assumptions. In this respect,
theorizing about its use in architecture. In the AEC field, parametric thinking asks the designer to make explicit
studies have concentrated on modeling building what the designer has always dealt with in a tacit
information and capturing design intent to improve manner.
fabrication and construction (Sacks et al, 2003; Zeid,
2005). A recent case study in façade design and Eastman (2006) identifies four types of information to be
fabrication shows that parameterization of design intent embedded and structured to express levels of design
requires explicit representation and categorization of knowledge in parametric models. Qualitative information,
qualitative aspects before production of a parametric being subjective, can be considered the most difficult to
model (Sanguinetti, 2008). Studies in the field of design embed, because it is unstructured. Beyond similarities
computing have shown that parametric modeling between parametric thinking and design thinking, we
increases the cognitive load at the conceptual design recognize that current and future architecture students
phase (Sanguinetti et al, 2007). Woodbury (2010) need to understand the potential of parametric modeling
proposes the use of design patterns - “a generic solution as designers. We explore the capabilities of a parametric
for a well-described problem” - to facilitate the modeling tool to support the activities of novice
production of a parametric structure. This computational designers, faced with the complexity of layering a
approach to structuring algorithms is influenced by the semantic dimension, in the form of qualitative subjective
view of architecture as problem-solving (Alexander, 1977; information, over a parametric structure in the concept
Simon, 1973). Results from previous research point to the design stage.
fact that architectural designers must alter their mode of
thinking to engage in parametric design.

40 Thinking in Parametric Phenomenology 2

Thinking in Parametric Phenomenology
Parametric Interface: A Methodology Phenomenological Description: The first task aims at
identifying sensory aspects of architecture. Students are
In this research, we propose two types of parameters that asked to carefully observe and reflect upon a particular
reflect the designer’s intention: experiential parameters place in order to concretize an experience. Attention is
that drive the variability of a parametric structure and directed toward transferable experiential phenomena
model parameters used to create and constrain beyond mere visual description. This is done through a
geometrical relationships. By establishing overarching combination of written, photographic, and recorded
experiential parameters, we speculate on the possibility impressions (Figure 2). The exercise is intended to aid in
of reflecting sensory experience - including auditory, identifying experiential parameters for further
haptic, olfactory, visual, skeletal/muscular, kinesthetic, exploration. Students begin the design process by sharing
and temporal parameters. their phenomenological descriptions and, based on these,
they identify intended experiences for a Parametric
To test these ideas, a case study is carried out as a five-
Interface.
week graduate design project involving three tasks:
phenomenological description, parametric modeling, and
material fabrication. Students work in four-member
teams to design and build an installation, referred to as
parametric interface, that responds to the human body to
intensify an experiential person-to-environment and/or
person-to-person relationship (Figure 1). A set of
experiential parameters is established as part of the
design process using a parametric modeling tool, in this
case the Grasshopper plug-in for Rhinoceros.

LIFE WORLD
…the musty wood and metal in the enclosed tower seemed so
dark; it required interior lighting even on a sunny…The dizzying
effect was worse on the way down, because it was
ANALYTICAL EXPERIENTIAL unbroken…There was the fear of falling as well as the fear that
PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE the groups behind you may catch up to you. Vision was
dominant, but now I realize that it was also the kinesthetic
aspect too. The repetition of rounding the same center point, the
body understands as well as the eye, that the repetition of this
PHENOMENOLOGICAL motion is unnatural and contributed to the imbalanced feeling.
DESCRIPTION
The stairs were worn and each one was irregular…Footpaths left
the stone stairs smooth and rounded after so many had passed
through the stairwell. I could feel the footpaths of the past as I
PARAMETRIC descended….I kept my hand on the wall the whole time to
FABRICATION
MODEL maintain some form of balance…

Figure 1. Parametric Interface process diagram Figure 2. Samples from a phenomenological description

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ACADIA Regional 2011 : Parametricism: (SPC)
ACADIA Regional 2011: Parametricism: (SPC)
 Parametric Modeling: The second task focuses on
distilling the phenomenological descriptions into
conceptual sketches and models, which are subsequently
translated into parametric models (Figure 3). Students are
asked to produce diagrams showing the relationships
between input parameters, a script, and the intended
experience. Next, they are given a series of Grasshopper
tutorials. The concept of a wire-frame structure is
introduced to concentrate on modeling parametric
relationships rather than a complete representation of Figure 4. Fabrication process
three-dimensional elements (Figure 4).
Results

This project explores explicit structures that capture

design intent using parameters, constraints, rules, etc. to
combine qualitative and quantitative design methods.
Findings show that the use of parametric design patterns
is useful for novice designers in that it increases the
designer’s awareness of a variable causal relationship
between external forces and project outcomes.

In the process of moving from the concrete to the

abstract, students seek commonalities between their
phenomenological descriptions; some based on everyday
experience, others drawn from childhood memories. We
find that the students, who draw from memory, are able
to bypass the need to filter their observations. Before
engaging in parametric modeling, students rely on
physical study models. We observe that the students
postpone the use of the computational tool, partly due to
lack of experience with it. Yet the main difficulty is in the
abstraction and translation of design intent. In general, it
is difficult for the students to strategize how to represent
their ideas as parametric structures. In this case study we
Figure 3. Translating sketches into a parametric model find the teams eventually gravitate towards one of two
overarching experiences of place – threshold or
Material Fabrication: In the final task, teams build an enclosure. These experiences become archetypes to
operational and responsive installation - the Parametric capture the experiential parameters being explored
Interface - constructed at full scale and intended to (Table 1 and Table 2). A subset of parametric design
respond to the dimensions of the whole body. The patterns is nested within this first level of hierarchy. We
interface acts as a ‘prop’ of sorts in a carefully find that the “controller” pattern is most commonly used
choreographed performance (Figure 5). (Woodbury, 2010).

42 Thinking in Parametric Phenomenology 4

Thinking in Parametric Phenomenology
Table 1. Compiled results

Team Physical Description Archetype Parametric Wireframe

1 a series of interconnected balanced threshold

platforms which activate a series of
collapsible frames and fabric panels

2 a series of pivoting outer frames positioned threshold

along a curving path with inner frames
rotated incrementally

3 a series of folded surfaces sited in response threshold

to the movements of the sun and wind to
aid in isolating auditory and visual stimuli

4 a series of concentric slatted panels enclosure

rotating around a stationary observer

5 a series of supports from which a horizontal enclosure

surface deforms in reaction to changes in
temperature and sunlight

6 a web structure within an already existing enclosure

space that reacts to pressure differentials
and the movement of the body

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ACADIA Regional 2011 : Parametricism: (SPC)
ACADIA Regional 2011: Parametricism: (SPC)
 Table 2. Parameterization

Experiential Parameters Model Parameters Parametric Grasshopper definition (code sample)

design pattern
1 Kinesthetic: shifting weight to Platform coordinate controller/
balance on tilting platform system: change in z- reactor
axis corresponding to
each move in x- y axes
Visual: having a false sense of Frame structure shifts
stability to respond to
Haptic: proximity of platform: cross
collapsible frames, and product component
twisting fabric panels
2 Parallax: continuously shifting Rotating frame: x-axis organized
vertical and horizontal sight rotation, z-axis shift collection of
lines
points/goal
Spatial depth Panel spacing: y-axis seeker
rotation

Haptic: passing through a Steel cable web:

series of translucent frames perpframe box
dimension
3 Visual: transitioning from light Sun angle: t- controller/
to dark parameter on curve reactor
Panel location: (x, y)
point coordinates &
rotation

Visual/Auditory: transitioning Panel aperture: angle

into a heightened auditory of rotation
sensation
4 Kinesthetic: sitting within Pivoting arms around controller
concentric sliding screens central pole: t-
parameter on curve
Visual: altering occupants
with varied screen densities

Haptic: experiencing contrast

in temperature associated to
materiality
5 Visual: experiencing the Morphing surface: t- reactor/jig
change in light and surface parameter on curve to
form assign changing z-
coordinate on surface
Auditory: hearing the melting
ice received by a collector

Kinesthetic: moving under the

horizontal surface
6 Kinesthetic: grabbing the Door angle: t- controller
handle and opening the door parameter on curve

Visual: capturing and

redirecting sunlight

44 Thinking in Parametric Phenomenology 6

Thinking in Parametric Phenomenology
Discussion

In discussing the results of this project, we examine the

process of Team 1. This team selects two descriptions for
further exploration in the Parametric Interface. One
member of the team captures, through video and text,
her experience of reading at the library. The rhythm of
daylight changing on the reading surface evokes a feeling
of “balance”. Another team member provides a written
narrative with two diagrams conveying her experience in
the skating rink (Figure 5). She describes the physical act
of starting to “balance” her body on the metal blades of
the skates.

Figure 6. Concept sketches

The team begins the parametric modeling process by

abstracting sketches and diagrams concerned with the
lack of balance into experiential parameters; kinesthetic,
visual, and haptic (Table 2). The experience of shifting the
body on a system of tilting platforms is complimented by
a series of frames supporting fabric panels. When the
frames collapse, responding to the weight of the body,
they reveal an inherent instability heightened by
Figure 5. Internal and external balance proximity to a precariously balanced participant.

This experience of balance (or lack of balance) is

The team produces a sequence of preliminary models and represented in a parametric model as the angle of
sketches (Figure 6). They attempt to bring together two rotation from an axis perpendicular to the x-y plane. The
ideas of balance; external balance, where the body reacts center of each platform becomes the origin of a local
to achieve equilibrium, and internal balance, where the coordinate system. This local coordinate system serves as
fluctuation of daylight brings a sense of inner quiet and a plane of reference for the steel frames, modeled as
peace. The first iteration is a sequence of frames and vectors, and the fabric panels, modeled as surfaces.
spring-loaded stepping elements. The team combines
these discrete elements in the second iteration. This The platform tilt is based on the weight and location of
system evolves into a series of collapsible frames that the body in relation to the local origin. Weight is modeled
respond to the movements of the body on spring- as a shift in the z coordinate proportionally-related to a
supported surfaces. shift in the x-y coordinates. All platforms in the system
are interconnected, based on shared corner points, to
respond to a tilt in any platform. In turn, all vectors and
surfaces are recalculated (Figure 7).

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ACADIA Regional 2011 : Parametricism: (SPC)
ACADIA Regional 2011: Parametricism: (SPC)
 Figure 7. Parametric model study Figure 8. Early mockups

The team produces mock-ups and detailed assemblies in Reflection

preparation for the fabrication process. The students
address issues such as platform size in relation to spring Parametric sketching and diagramming: In parametric
strength and the effects of gravity. Other considerations modeling, design intent is captured as a set of
such site and materiality are also resolved during this geometrical relationships, scripted by the designer. These
process but not addressed in the scope of this paper. The relationships are represented as graph and visualized as
resulting installation, in turn, serves as a prop for a wireframe. Grasshopper’s graphical representation of the
choreographed performance in which their abstracted script and the options to group, color code, and annotate,
ideas of balance are re-concretized. support the representation of qualitative information,

46 Thinking in Parametric Phenomenology 8

Thinking in Parametric Phenomenology
and put it in the realm of diagramming. Because of this We conclude that the use of parametric modeling as a
functionality, we find that students are able to add a tool for architectural design requires a deeper
semantic layer to the computer script. We propose that a understanding of how it can support our intentions as
relationship between the diagram, or annotated script, architects. The results of this case study point to the
and the resulting wireframe representation constitute a importance of embedding semantics in computational
step toward a new form of sketching. Furthermore, the models to actualize this deeper understanding. We find
annotated diagram has the potential to reveal new that more research is needed in the architectural use of
parametric design patterns representing geometrical computational tools - originally rooted in engineering - to
responses to sets of experiential phenomena. support the representation of architectural knowledge
and intent.
Design intent and intentionality: During the project,
students found it difficult to use parametric modeling for Phenomenological-Parametric Translation: In science a
conceptualization. Although the use of Grasshopper phenomena is an observable occurrence that requires
supports the representation of quantitative and instrumentation. In phenomenology, the human body
qualitative information, the visualization of serves as the instrument through which we receive
environmental aspects such as wind pressure and impressions of the lifeworld. This research attempts to
changes in temperature had to be approximated. We find mediate between these two approaches which both
that there is always an inherently reductive aspect to contribute to architectural thinking. In this project, our
externalizing design intent and representing it in a students are asked to translate subjective experiences
computational model. Even though in some sense design into architectural ones. This requires a process of
intent can be tested and “captured” with a parametric abstraction where tacit knowledge becomes explicit
model, the notion of intentionality – denoting a subject’s knowledge.
purely mental phenomena directed towards an object –
remains completely outside of the scope of parametric
thinking. Recognizing this significant limitation, we
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ACADIA Regional 2011: Parametricism: (SPC)
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