Parametricism, review 17p.

Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design Patrik Schumacher 2009

Parametricism Vs. Modernism, Review by Elroi Nissim.

Patrik Schumacher

Patrik Schumacher Company Director and Senior Designer at Zaha Hadid Architects and Founding Director at the AA Design Research Lab. He joined ZHA in 1988.

Patrik Shumacher studied architecture at the University of Stuttgart and at the Southbank University in London. He completed his architectural diploma and received his degree Dipl Ing from Stuttgart University in 1990. He also studied philosophy at Bonn and London Universities. In 1999, he received his PhD at the Institute for Cultural Sciences at the University of Klagenfurt.

Patrik has been teaching at various architectural schools in Britain, Continental Europe and the USA since 1992 and a co-director of the Design Research Laboratory at the Architectural Association School of Architecture since 1996. He has co-taught a series of post-graduate option studios with Zaha Hadid at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia University and at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. Currently he is tenured Professor at Innsbruck University and his contribution to the discourse of contemporary architecture is also evident in his published works.

His completed projects include the MAXXI Centre of Contemporary Art and Architecture in Rome, which won the Stirling prize in 2010 and one of the practice’s first completed constructions, the Vitra Fire Station (1992). He is currently involved in several master plan projects, including Kartal Pendik in Istanbul and Singapore One North.

Patrik Schumacher & MAXXI, Rome,1998

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Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design

ZHA - Zaha Hadid Architects Zaha Hadid, founder of Zaha Hadid Architects, was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize (considered to be the Nobel Prize of architecture) in 2004 and is internationally known for both her theoretical and academic work. Each of her dynamic and innovative projects builds on over thirty years of revolutionary exploration and research in the interrelated fields of urbanism, architecture and design.

Hadid’s interest lies in the rigorous interface between architecture, landscape and geology as her practice integrates natural topography and human-made systems, leading to experimentation with cutting-edge technologies. Such a process often results in unexpected and dynamic architectural forms.

Zaha Hadid Architects create landmarks projects for all types of functional programs. Their buildings are never bland or mundane, but moreover assertive statements of a particular view, that the world may indeed look different. Their efforts have resulted in a staggering almost one thousand projects throughout the globe, in every scale, from urban design schemes to objects and furniture design.

Zaha Hadid & Kartal Pendik, Istanbul, 2006

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Patrik Schumacher

Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design Parametricism, the exclusive new style today, according to Patrik Shumacher, fully emerged in the last recent years with the advanced of parametric design systems.

“The style is rooted in digital animation techniques. It’s latest refinements are based on advanced parametric design systems and scripting techniques” (Schumacher, 2009, p.1) “We pursue the parametric design paradigm all the way, penetrating into all corners of the discipline. Systematic, adaptive variation, continuous differentiation (rather than mere variety), and dynamic, parametric figuration concerns all design tasks from urbanism to the level of tectonic detail, interior furnishings and the world of products.” (Schumacher, 2008, p.2)

Urban Fabric study - Kartal Pendik Model, ZHA Architects, 2006

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Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design

Parametricism vs. Modernism The article presents Parametricism as the exclusive heir style modernism. “It succeeds modernism as a new long wave of systematic innovation.

The style finally closes the transitional period of uncertainty that was engendered by the crisis of modernism and that was marked by a series of short lived episodes including Postmodernism, Deconstructivism, and Minimalism.� (Schumacher, 2009, p.1) If we choose to play the game and except Parametricism as a style, it would be interesting to see the style side by side with the Modernism.

Patrick in his article mentions several times the modernism but are they so different? And if so what are the differences and similarities between the two?

Le Corbusier Vs Zaha Hadid, Eliinbar’s Sketchbook, 2013

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Patrik Schumacher

Rules of thumbs Parametricism Negative heuristics (taboos): avoid rigid geometric primitives like squares, triangles and circles, avoid simple repetition of elements, avoid juxtaposition of unrelated elements or systems.

Positive heuristics (dogmas): consider all forms to be parametrically malleable, differentiate gradually (at variant rates), inflect and correlate systematically.

Five Agendas 1. Parametric 2. Parametric 3. Parametric 4. Parametric 5. Parametric

Inter-articulation of Sub-systems Accentuation Figuration Responsiveness Urbanism - Deep Relationality

(Schumacher, 2008, p.2)

Modernism Five Points 1. Pilotis 2. The free designing of the ground plan 3. The free design of façade 4. The horizontal window 5. Roof gardens

Although the Five rules of the two are very different, the question arising is why Five? Does Patrick trying to imply something? Is it done incidentally or perhaps it’s done to be identified with the language of The Modernism as a style in order to establish Parametricism as style as well?

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Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design

Social Aspect Parametricism “The mass society... evolved into heterogeneous society of the multitude, marked by proliferating lifestyle and carrer differantion.

Architecture an Urbanism are called upon to organize and articulate the increased complexity of post-fordist society.” (Schumacher, 2009, p.2) “All constituencies need to be convinced that the individual restrictions placed upon all sites really deliver a worth while collective value... the urban field that all players benefit from if adherence can be enforced.” (Schumacher, 2009, p.12)

Modernism People are equal and have the same basic needs homogeneous society.

“The modernists believed that for an individual to feel whole and a contributor to the re-vitalization of the social process, he or she needed to be free of all the encumbering baggage of hundreds of years of hypocrisy” (MDC, 2006)

Both approaches adopt the concept of collective supremacy above the Individual needs.

Visualizing Friendships, Butler, 2013

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Patrik Schumacher

Order Parametricism “Complexity theory... have taught us to recognize and simulate the complex patterns that emerged from processes of self-organization.”

(Schumacher, 2009, p.4) “Parametric sensibility gives more credit to the “pack-donkey’s path” as a form of recursive material computation than to the simplicity of clear geometries...” (Schumacher, 2009, p.5)

Modernism “... Urbanism starts with eulogy of the straight line and the right angle as means by which men conquers nature” (Schumacher, 2009, p.4) “Man walks in a straight line because he has a goal and knows where he is going...” (Le Corbusier, 1925, p.5) “The Curve is ruinous, difficult and dangerous; It is a paralyzing thing.”

(Le Corbusier, 1925, p.8)

One North Masterplan, Singapore, ZHA Architects, 2003

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Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design

Form Finding In 1992 Frei Paul Otto, a German architect and structural engineer, conducted experiments in ILAK investigated the phenomenon of spontaneous settlement by combined natural and artificial means . He simulated attraction and repulsion processes by magnetic needles and Polystyrene Chips.

“The result closely resembles the typical settlement patterns found in our real urban landscapes” (Schumacher, 2009, p.2)

Occupation with simultaneous distancing and attracting forces, Frei Otto, ILEK, 1992

Parametricism Natural form imitation “It is the sense of organized (law-governed) complexity that assimilates parametricist works to natural systems, where all forms are the result of lawfully interacting forces” (Schumacher, 2008, p.2)

Modernism Form Follows Function “Whether it be the sweeping eagle in his flight, or the open appleblossom, the toiling work-horse, the blithe swan, the branching oak, the winding stream at its base, the drifting clouds, over all the coursing sun, form ever follows function, and this is the law.” (Sullivan, 1896, p.5)

It is surprising that although the geometry of the two are completely different and sometimes even opposed. Looking closely at the source reveals they both derived from the same basic concept - nature logic.

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Patrik Schumacher

Space vs. Fields Parametricism “Parametricism differentiate fields... filled with fluid medium.”

(Schumacher, 2009, p.7)

Modernism “Modernism was founded on the concept of universal space...

Space is empty” (Schumacher, 2009, p.7)

Global Maya model - Kartal Pendik Masterplan, ZHA Archiects, Istanbul, 2006

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Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design

Figuration & Configuration Parametricism “Complex configuration That are latent with multiple readings can be constructed as parametric model with extemly figuration-sensitve variables." (Schumacher, 2009, p.4) ”The ambition is to enhance the overall sense of organic integeration through correlations that favour deviation amplification rather than compansatory addaptions.” (Schumacher, 2009, p.4)

Modernism The garden city movement is a method of urban planning that was flourished during the modernism and contained a comprehensive agenda about the organization of the city’s components and its overall design.

Like modernism, also Parametricism arise a question about mankind heritage, history, and the ambiguous. The two approaches are so absolute, and have almost no tolerance for anything different from their agenda. So one must ask how cities, which have so many faces, whose nature is so eclectic, dynamic and changing all the time, can ever cooperate which such strict laws?

Fluid scape - Parametric Urbanism, AADRL, 2008 & Garden City, Ebenezer Howard, 1902

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Patrik Schumacher

Diversity & Orientation Parametricism ”Thus a far richer articulation can be achieved and more orienting visual information can be made available “ (Schumacher, 2009, p.4) ”The location and articulation of building entrances might be correlated with the differentiated urban navigation system“ (Schumacher, 2009, p.8)

Modernism The modern movement rooted way back in the Industrial Revolution, so the collective perception is an approach of mass production and repetitive fabrication. Approach which is nothing but simplistic wide scale ideology stands behind it with great ideas about socialism, economics and even politics.

Fabric study 2 - Kartal Pendik Model, ZHA Architects, 2006 & Ville Radieuse, Le Corbusier, 1930

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Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design

Scale Parametricism The article mainly deals with Urban Design scale but Parmetric Design relates to a wider scale, from Digtital Materials through Building Subsystems up to Urban Scale.

Modernism “Rather than an artistic style, modernism was a rebellious state of mind that questioned all artistic, scientific, social, and moral conventions.�

(MDC, 2006) Thus concern not only the whole scale in architecture such as parmetricisim but also deals with other fields such as art, economics, socialism, and even politics.

While modernism in its nature, explains every step he takes, Parametricism describes the city through geometry. Although parametric design is the one in charge behind the geometry, it’s not clear what are the parameters that determine, the seemingly arbitrary, overall shape.

Fluid scape - Parametric Urbanism, AADRL, London, 2008

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Patrik Schumacher

DDNET Diagram Istanbul kartal pendik Natural order 5 Agendas

Form finding

Parametricism

Patrik Schumacher

& Urban Design Heuristics

Computation Singapore one north

DDNET key Level 1 - Key Concept Parametricsm level 2 - Sub Concept 5 Agendas Negative & postive heuristics level 3 - Models & technologies Natural order Form finding Computation Level 4 - Precedents Singapore one north Istanbul kartal endik Patrik Schumacher Therotical work 14

Parametricism - A New Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design

Summary Schumacher's main initiative was tring to dictate the ground rules for the parametric design, which is a special and rare thing today. But The article present significan questions about it's nature: - What’s the reason for the similarities between modernism and parametricism?

- What is the appropriate scale for this type planning?

- How does the style deals with existing assets?

- What is The essence behind the design?

- What are the parameters?

Does parametricism is the new global style? And is this argument even relevant?

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Patrik Schumacher

Bibliography Schumacher P. (2009) Parametricism- A new Global Style for Architecture and Urban Design, Patrik Schumacher, London, [Online] Available from: www.patrikschumacher.com/ Schumacher P. (2008) Parametricism as Style - Parametricist Manifesto, London, [Online] Available from: www.patrikschumacher. com/ ZHA Architects (2006) Kartal Pendik, Istanbul, [Online] Available from: www.zaha-hadid.com/masterplans/kartal-pendik-masterplan/ ZHA Architects (2003) One North Masterplan, Singapore, [Online] Available from: www.zaha-hadid.com/masterplans/one-northmasterplan/ MDC EDU. (2006) History of Modernism, [Online] Available from: www. mdc.edu/wolfson/Academic/ArtsLetters/art_philosophy/Humanities/ history_of_modernism.htm Eliinbar’s Sketchbook (2013) Le Corbusier Vs Zaha Hadid, [Online] Available from: archidialog.com/tag/eliinbars-sketches-2010/ Butler P. (2013) Visualizing Friendships, [Online] Available from: www. facebook.com/note.php?note_id=469716398919 Howard E. (1902) Garden City, London, [Online] Available from: urbanplanning.library.cornell.edu/DOCS/howard.htm Le Corbusier (1925) The City of Tomorrow and its Planning, Paris.

Sullivan L. (1896) The Tall Office Building Artistically Considered, [Online] Available from: ocw.mit.edu/courses/architecture/4205-analysis-of-contemporary-architecture-fall-2009/readings/ MIT4_205F09_Sullivan.pdf AADRL (2008) Fluid scape - Parametric Urbanism, London, [Online] Available from: ldvc.net/Fluidscape Le Corbusier (1930) Ville Radieuse - The Radiant City, [Online] Available from: www.archdaily.com/411878/ad-classics-ville-radieuse-lecorbusier/

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