Architects use CAD to help them visualize their ideas. Parametric design is a fast-growing development of CAD that lets architects and designers specify the key parameters of their model and make changes interactively. Whenever changes are made the rest of the model updates automatically.

Through a detailed description of various parametric, generative and algorithmic techniques, the book Parametric Design for Architecture provides a practical guide to generating geometric and topological solutions for various situations, including explicit step-by-step tutorials. While the techniques and algorithms can be generalized to suit to any parametric environment, the book illustrates its concepts using the scripting languages of one of the most powerful 3D visualization and animation design software systems (Autodesk 3ds Max MAXScript), one of the most popular open-source Java-based scripting environments (Processing), and a brand new language specifically tailored for parametric and generative design (Autodesk DesignScript).

Parametric Design for Architecture is a clear and accessible book that will have a wide appeal to students and practitioners who would like to experiment with parametric techniques.

Architects use CAD to help them visualize their ideas. Parametric design is a fast-growing development of CAD that lets architects and designers specify the key parameters of their model and make changes interactively. Whenever changes are made the rest of the model updates automatically.

Through a detailed description of various parametric, generative and algorithmic techniques, the book Parametric Design for Architecture provides a practical guide to generating geometric and topological solutions for various situations, including explicit step-by-step tutorials. While the techniques and algorithms can be generalized to suit to any parametric environment, the book illustrates its concepts using the scripting languages of one of the most powerful 3D visualization and animation design software systems (Autodesk 3ds Max MAXScript), one of the most popular open-source Java-based scripting environments (Processing), and a brand new language specifically tailored for parametric and generative design (Autodesk DesignScript).

Parametric Design for Architecture is a clear and accessible book that will have a wide appeal to students and practitioners who would like to experiment with parametric techniques.


Wassim Jabi is Senior Lecturer at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University. He is a past-president of the Association for Computer-Aided Design In Architecture (ACADIA) and a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Architectural Computing (IJAC). He has published numerous papers in the area of computer-supported collaborative design, computer-aided visualization, parametric design and digital fabrication.