Organising Complexity: A Reflection on Parametric Design

Abstract

This paper reflects on the role of parametric design in architecture carried out with digital tools. The digital revolution has profoundly altered the architectural discourse by introducing debates on theory and design that are based on ideas arising from the intersection between art, science and technology. Parametric design has become a powerful tool for organising complexity and this creates the need for critical reflection on its current and future influence on architectural projects. The mechanisms for bringing together the information processing power of computers and the intuitive skills of designers poses new challenges that require the inclusion of computational thinking in the training of future professionals. A redefinition of the relationships between architecture, the digital technologies and production and manufacturing techniques is needed so that we can have intelligent design thinking that allows us to properly organise the complexity of the activity involved in the architectural project. © 2020, The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.