DArts

8/13/13

            The procedures in Chris Beorkrem’s research involve a process of analyzing and repeating design methods used to create parametrically designed buildings.  The procedure involves examining the design and choosing a parametric method in which to examine the design through. Tools such as Digital Project allow the examination to occur on a part-by-part basis.  Parts within the parametric system build upon each other here and influence the way in which they work within the system.  Grasshopper is another program that plugs into the 3D modeling program, Rhinoceros and drives a script that affects specifically defined elements within the model. It is with these types of tools that Chris conducts his research in order to diagrammatically identify the ways in which these complex systems are put together.

Conceptually, this process is a type of reverse engineering used to present to others the way in which parametric design works and how it affects the design of buildings today based around material ethics and minimal customization.  The goal is to present findings of material sensibility and minimal customization in a world of computer driven design.  Computers allow us infinite possibilities and the ability to create any type of construction element, sometimes at a high price and high waste of material.  If successful, this type of research would allow for a presentation of information that would help designers to realize the potential of working with computational and parametric design in a method that conserves material and utilizes it in an intelligent manner.           

            Evaluating this process looks at the way in which the diagrams and models were produced and how simply they are interpreted.  The ease of interpretation combined with the method used to analyze the design and reverse engineer it can shed light on its success as an option.