The concept of parametric design comes from the word parameter itself. Meaning that instead of manually adjusting every component of a design, you could define certain parameters and relationships between them. Although Patrick Schumacher introduced parametricism in 2008, its origins go further to the 19th century with pioneers like Antoni Gaudi and Frei Otto. Software like CATIA, MAYA, and GC were utilized before Grasshopper but posed a great learning curve challenge for architects with no background in computation or coding.
The combination of Parametric design with real-time visualization gives architects unprecedented flexibility and unleashes creativity. These tools support rapid prototyping and design exploration and push the boundaries of form and materiality. This article will highlight the role of Grasshopper 3D in parametric design, explain the various tools used for real-time visualization, and showcase the impact this integration has had on architectural design.
Rhino and Grasshopper 3D in Parametric Design
Released in 1998, Rhinoceros, commonly known as Rhino or Rhino3D, is a professional 3D CAD program developed by Robert McNeel & Associates. This software has been widely used in architecture, engineering, and product design with its primary strength being the ability to create complex and freeform geometries with ease.
With the rising interest in parametricism, David Rutten wanted to create a tool that was more accessible and intuitive for designers with no background in programming. Released in 2007 as a plugin for Rhino, Grasshopper 3D redefined the boundaries of computational design and became an integral part of the software after the launch of Rhino 6.
The invention of Grasshopper stems from the need for a tool that bridges the gap between creative design and technical know-how. With a node-based visual programming interface, it is much easier to create complex forms by connecting various boxes. Each box, often referred to as a battery, carries its own embedded code and represents a specific mathematical and geometric operation – this relieves architects from the need to learn coding language.
Grasshopper is great for automating repetitive tasks, such as designing staircases or curtain walls. It also works well with environmental analysis plugins, helping architects fine-tune designs based on factors like sunlight and airflow to boost sustainability. Plus, its seamless integration with Rhino makes it easy to prepare models for 3D printing or laser cutting.
The Rise of Real-Time Visualization
Real-time visualization started gaining traction in the late 2000s, and is now an integral part of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) workflows. The traditional process of rendering a project was: design, set render parameters, wait for hours for the render to finish, realize you don’t like the materials you chose or how the design turned out, redesign, reset parameters, wait again, oh you don’t like it again, and the cycle never ends. Real-time visualization solves this by offering split screens: one where you make design changes and another that updates the render as you work. This cuts down on so much wasted time, effort, and nervous breakdowns in the middle of the night.
Unreal Engine
Back in 1998, Unreal Engine was created by Tim Sweeney for the game Unreal, but its superb versatility made it a popular choice for other game developers. Its most powerful quality is the photo-realistic rendering, which made it the engine of choice for famous video games like Fortnite.
Over the years, it caught the interest of architects and its use case evolved from game development to architectural visualization in the AEC industry. Its ability to produce quick immersive environments has since made it indispensable for real-time updates in design processes, especially when integrated with parametric tools like Rhino.
If you’re interested in learning more about parametric design and showcasing your work using Unreal Engine, join The Computational Dreamscape 2.0.
Unity
Founded by David Helgason, Nicholas Francis, and Joachim Ante in 2005, Unity is a cross-platform game engine targeted at independent developers. Its user-friendly interface and multi-platform support made it popular. While primarily known for developing the worldwide sensation game Pokemon Go, Unity’s real-time rendering and VR/AR capabilities opened the door to architectural use.
Architects started using Unity to create interactive walkthroughs and virtual reality environments, letting clients explore designs before they’re built. Its ability to offer real-time updates, along with a vast library of assets and flexibility for creating immersive experiences, has made Unity a popular choice for projects that need engaging 3D visuals.
Blender
Created by Ton Roosendaal in 1998 as an open-source 3D creation suite, Blender is known for its versatility; supporting everything from 3D modeling to animation, simulation, and rendering. What sets Blender apart is its free nature which allows users across industries to access high-quality tools without expensive licenses.
Initially used for animation and visual effects, Blender’s primary strength lies in its integrated real-time rendering engine, Eevee, which allows architects to generate high-quality visualizations without the need for expensive hardware or additional software licenses. Today, Blender is widely used for architectural visualization, especially for firms that need cost-effective solutions. Its growing popularity in the AEC industry is due to its ability to produce high-quality real-time renderings.
Impact of Real-time Visualization with Parametric Design
One of the most important aspects of a design process is workflow. You don’t want to end up wasting hours doing so many steps when it could’ve been done in minutes. The integration of real-time visualization with parametric design software like Rhino and Grasshopper allows for making design changes and seeing them visualized instantaneously. It gives more of a big picture perspective, instead of being hung up on minor details this flow allows for more intuitive and creative design solutions.
By using plugins such as Datasmith, Unreal Engine simplifies the import of complex models from Rhino and Grasshopper to allow a more immersive and dynamic design experience. Similarly, Unity supports real-time updates from Rhino through the plugin Rhino.Inside.Unity. It works by embedding Rhino and Grasshopper inside the Unity environment, so it’s easier to import and interact with the design without having to export and re-import files.
Blender also integrates effectively by exporting the model from Rhino in FBX or OBJ format and importing it into Blender. The model can be rendered in real-time the workflow can be further enhanced by add-ons like Archipack or BlenderBIM. To live-link Rhino and Blender you can use the interoperability platform Speckle. Just install the necessary connectors for both applications then set up a live data stream between Rhino and Blender.
Blender possesses a little advantage over Unreal Engine and Unity, because it is also a design platform. Blender’s geometry nodes, similar to Grasshopper’s visual programming, enable the creation of parametric models, thus making Blender a versatile tool for both design and visualization in one place. Another edge Blender has is how it lets users prototype designs quickly while creating high quality renderings without being an expensive investment. In a glance, Blender excels in modeling and being open-source, Unity focuses on interactive experiences, and Unreal Engine offers unparalleled photorealism; each platform caters to different project needs but all ultimately enhance the parametric design process.
Parametric Design Project Examples
Chinese Pavilion for Milan Expo
Architect: Tsinghua University and Studio Link-Arc
Year: 2015
Designed as a cultural showcase at Expo Milan 2015, the Chinese Pavilion represents a harmonious blend of traditional Chinese philosophy and modern design techniques. The pavilion’s flowing roof, inspired by a field of hope, symbolizes the nation’s agricultural roots.
This intricate form was realized using advanced parametric modeling, specifically Grasshopper 3D, which allowed the architects to solve the structural complexities of its freeform geometry. The pavilion is a testament to how parametric design can merge aesthetics with cultural narratives.
Hangzhou Sports Park Stadium
Architect: NBBJ Architects and CDDI Architects
Year: 2018
This massive sports complex in Hangzhou, China, exemplifies the seamless integration of parametric design and architecture. NBBJ and CDDI Architects used Grasshopper to optimize the stadium’s dynamic, petal-like roof structure, which was inspired by the lotus flower, a symbol of Hangzhou’s natural beauty.
The stadium’s form was parametrically developed to efficiently respond to structural requirements while creating a visually striking and organic design.
Morpheus Hotel in Macau
Architect: ZHA
Year: 2018
Zaha Hadid Architects used Grasshopper extensively to design the complex exoskeleton structure of Morpheus Hotel. A custom Grasshopper script was developed to integrate the geometric model into structural analysis, which enabled the design team to test thousands of iterations for performance and structural integrity. This parametric approach allowed precise adjustments to the exoskeleton’s geometry to optimize it for lateral loads, such as earthquakes and typhoon winds.
Grasshopper was also essential in coordinating the intricate steel connections and ensuring alignment across the 1200 exo nodes and 1300 bolted connections, as it also facilitated the complex fabrication process.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Architect: Ateliers Jean Nouvel
Year: 2017
The design of the Louvre’s dome was achieved using computational design tools, combining digital and physical modeling to refine its intricate pattern of isosceles triangles forming squares and hexagons. Parametric modeling and structural analysis tools ensured the dome’s structural integrity.
At the same time, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to optimize airflow and reduce solar radiation to minimize the need for air conditioning. These tools also helped create the dynamic façade, where geometric patterns respond to changing solar angles.
livMatS Pavilion
Architect: ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart
Year: 2021
The livMatS Pavilion presents an eco-friendly breakthrough in architectural design. It uses flax fiber, which is robotically woven and fully biodegradable, to form its load-bearing structure. This pioneering approach blends nature with computational design and represents a new standard for sustainable construction.
The pavilion, created by a collaboration between the University of Stuttgart’s ITECH engineers and University of Freiburg biologists, showcases how material innovation and robotic fabrication can come together to push the boundaries of design.
