THE UTILIZATION OF PARAMETRIC SYSTEM IN THE DESIGN PROCESS OF TALL BUILDINGS FORM CONCEPT

Abstract

The target of this research is to assist designers in understanding the utilization of parametric modeling system, so that they can make more objective design decisions and offer more generative concepts of tall building forms for the benefits of speedy design process. This research was focused to achieve two major targets. After thorough review of relevant literature in order to gain insight into the research theme, the first target was to investigate the procedures adopted by Architectural and Engineering firms in accounting for design process during the preparation of early schematic phase. This was achieved through the administration of a questionnaire. Fourty (40) design practices working in Khartoum, Sudan participated in the survey. The survey results revealed that most of the Architectural and Engineering firms do not utilize specialized software packages in carrying out 3D modeling design to explore and manage many potential design alternatives. Also, the firms neither utilize any systematic procedures in accounting for design process nor have awareness of the parametric models design developed by software researchers. The second target was concerned with the empirical study of the effects of parametric modeling design on the schematic phase of tall building in a series of simulation experiments. The design variables that were studied on building data include Total Gross Area, Average Total building height, number of floors and aspect ratio. An empirical construction cost, programme requirement and environmental performance were used as constants for the simulation. The Thesis concludes with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of this method.