Parametric Possibilities: Redefining Design with Algorithms and Artistry

The term “parametric design” redefines architecture, interiors, and product design in the same breath. What began as a niche methodology has blossomed into a powerful tool for solving real-world challenges, optimizing material usage, and crafting dynamic, site-specific solutions.

In an exclusive conversation with The Ideal Home & Garden, Kanika Agarwal and Jwalant Mahadevwala of andblack studio talk about their climate-adaptive architectural projects like Darwin Bucky and Cocoon Pre-primary Extension. Hiloni Sutaria at HSC Designs describes how computation can combine functionality, sensory appeal, and sustainability in interior space design. Amrish Patel of Apical Reform demonstrates his genius parametric product design, from sculptural ping pong tables to kinetic art like Stingray.

Hiloni
Kanika Agarwal and Jwalant Mahadevwala
Amrish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through these visionary approaches, Nikitha Sunil explores how parametric design bridges creativity and practicality, shaping the future of design across scales.

PART 1: PARAMETRIC DESIGN IN ARCHITECTURE 

Nikitha: How do you approach integrating parametric principles to address site-specific challenges such as climate responsiveness, topography, and urban context in your architectural projects?

Kanika: At andblack, our approach to parametric design is deeply rooted in research and a steadfast commitment to material efficiency. Our studio doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach,  we let site-specific challenges guide our parametric explorations in unique ways.

Take Darwin Bucky, for instance. This portable gallery was conceived to overcome logistical constraints, such as limited road access, scarce electricity, and the need to avoid excavation. Parametric tools enabled us to optimize material usage, modularize components, and design a structure adaptable to diverse climates and locations. The gallery’s conical form and triangulated planes emerged from iterative analysis, ensuring not only structural stability but also optimal acoustics.

Another example is Cocoon, the pre-primary extension of Bloomingdale International School. Parametric design allowed us to harmonize with the site’s natural topography. The sunken courtyard seamlessly connects the new extension with the existing building, improving ventilation and daylighting. The undulating roof—designed computationally to rise like a hill—incorporates strategically placed skylights. These skylights not only manage solar gain but also create dynamic light patterns, fostering an engaging and sustainable interior environment. This synthesis between built and natural elements results in a cohesive and responsive design.

 

Nikitha: Parametric design encourages iterative experimentation. Can you share a project where unexpected outcomes from this process led to breakthroughs in exterior design or functionality?

Jwalant: One standout example is the Cocoon extension for Bloomingdale International School. Initially, the roof design aimed to create a fluid connection between classrooms. However, during the parametric iteration process, we discovered that varying the curvature along the X and Y axes could significantly enhance both the structural efficiency and the interior spatial experience. 

This discovery led to the creation of a ferrocement shell supported by prefabricated junctions. This not only delivered the desired fluidity but also reduced material consumption and costs. The exposed interior structure became an unexpected feature—educational and visually striking—allowing children to explore the interplay between form and function. Skylights punctuating the roof added a playful element, with light patterns enlivening the classrooms throughout the day.

For Darwin Bucky, the parametric process revealed that the triangulated panel system, initially intended purely for structural efficiency, could also serve as conduits for lighting and electrical systems. This innovation streamlined construction, halved material use, and enhanced the space’s multifunctionality, making it adaptable for exhibitions, performances, and community gatherings.

These unexpected outcomes underscore the transformative potential of parametric design, enabling it to exceed functional requirements and create architecture that is innovative, efficient, and deeply experiential.

PART 2: PARAMETRIC DESIGN IN INTERIORS

Nikitha: In interior design, parametric workflows allow for sculptural elements and dynamic spatial narratives. How do you ensure that these designs remain functional, maintain material efficiency, and cater to user comfort while embracing computational complexity?

Hiloni: At HSC Designs, we embrace parametric tools to create bold, dynamic interiors that are practical, budget-friendly, and sustainable. Our approach ensures that every space is thoughtfully designed to optimize climatic comfort, functionality, and client-specific requirements. Advanced computational tools allow us to minimize material waste, optimize structural efficiency, and achieve sustainability goals.

We also integrate local materials and traditional techniques with cutting-edge technologies, ensuring a balance between contextual sensitivity and contemporary design. This fusion enhances material efficiency while grounding our spaces in their cultural and geographic context. Through rigorous testing and iterative refinement, we create interiors that are visually striking yet robust, efficient, and seamlessly functional for users.

Nikitha: Interiors often demand a tactile and sensory connection with users. How do you balance the precision of parametric algorithms with the emotional and sensory qualities that interior spaces demand?

Hiloni: Our approach combines the precision of parametric tools with the emotional and sensory needs of human-centric design. While algorithms help us optimize intricate forms and functional performance, we prioritize the integration of textures, natural materials, contextual elements, and nuanced lighting to evoke emotional connections.

For instance, tactile finishes that resonate with memory and familiarity, along with carefully proportioned spatial layouts, create inviting and personal environments. By blending advanced technologies with an intuitive understanding of how people experience and interact with spaces, we craft interiors that are both optimized for performance and deeply resonant on a sensory and emotional level.

PART 3: PARAMETRIC DESIGN IN PRODUCTS

Nikitha: Parametric design has become a powerful tool for product designers to push the boundaries of form and customisation. How do you leverage computational design to create products that are both innovative and manufacturable at scale?

Amrish: Parametric design enables us to merge creativity with precision, allowing for the exploration of intricate forms and tailored solutions that were once unattainable. At Apical Reform, we use computational tools to create products that are not only innovative but also feasible for large-scale manufacturing. Our process begins by defining key parameters—such as material constraints, functional requirements, and aesthetic goals—that guide the design. These parameters serve as the foundation for rapid iterations, where computational tools help us test numerous configurations while ensuring a balance between creativity and practicality. This method ensures that the final product is optimized for both performance and production.

For instance, in designing a parametric glass-top ping pong table, we employed algorithms to ensure the table’s structural integrity while preserving its fluid and sculptural aesthetic. Computational tools allowed us to simulate real-world forces and material behaviour, ensuring manufacturability without compromising the design’s conceptual vision. This iterative process not only fostered innovation but also reduced production time and material waste, demonstrating how parametric design makes scalable creativity a reality.

Nikitha: Can you share an instance where parametric tools helped you translate a purely conceptual idea into a tangible, functional product?

Amrish: Parametric design truly excels at bridging the gap between artistic vision and functional execution, turning abstract ideas into tangible realities. A prime example is our work on Stingray, a kinetic artwork inspired by the fluid, organic motion of a stingray. We began by defining the curves and motion patterns that embodied the essence of a stingray in movement. We refined these forms using computational simulations to ensure their structural and mechanical feasibility. By integrating engineering principles into the design process, we developed precise manufacturing techniques that translated the dynamic concept into a functional physical structure.

The result was an interactive piece of art that was not only visually captivating but also mechanically seamless and structurally sound. Parametric tools were instrumental in harmonising artistic intent with engineering precision, allowing us to achieve a design that felt both innovative and practical. This project exemplifies how parametric design can transform imaginative concepts into functional, real-world products, making the impossible possible.

 

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About Author

Picture of Nikitha Sunil

Nikitha Sunil

Nikitha Sunil, a bachelor's degree holder in architecture from ASADI, discovered her love for writing while journaling for online design magazines. She contributes to multiple design publications and is also involved in her family-managed local interior design studio. Driven by her passion for aesthetics and sustainability, Nikitha strives to create spaces that positively influence lives. With expertise in online media and strategic communications, she aims to tell impactful stories about spaces to a broader audience.

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