PARAMETRIC MODELING DEVELOPEMENT THROUGH OUT ANALOGUE AND DIGITAL AGES

Architectural design methods are starting to be based on very complicated techniques different from the old ones. These methods of design are usually the black box of the famous architectural firms, which are usually hidden. One of these techniques of design is what is known by Parametric Modeling PM, its roots in architecture started ages ago. Ancient Egyptians^1, Greek/Roman^2, and Islamic architecture^3 used mathematical relations as an application for construction, dividing lands and designing Temples. Architectural components are first theoretically studied for various styles from bibliography and from existing monuments. Each component is then described with a minimal set of parameters. However, the Greeks were the first to apply many influential theories which have sure applied mathematics, and consequently techniques similar to parametric architecture over the history. Applying PM in architecture redefines the use of information technology in architecture from only a presentation tool to a counterpart to the human imagination, and a portal to another world new to the human mind. The contemporary applications of PM in architecture within digital ages passed through three generations to reach the current form of the parametrical applications in contemporary design. These generations reflect clearly the information technology progression in hardware, software, and their applications in architecture throughout the previous century. The first generation shows pure applications on mathematical equations, second one is based on creating relations between geometrical objects, and the third is the contemporary application that represents the most powerful and mature through the use of algorithms, the role of each step in architectural design will be discussed and stated.