Parametric - Nature Obsession

Abstract

This paper examines the basic application and usage of wood construction in landscape and tests the
influence of the material’s behavior on the structure of parametric elements. Over the years, nature has
inspired artists and designers and is being reflected in many forms starting from wall paintings up to
building facades. With the development in technology, it is important to understand how to use computer
programs to portrait the elements of nature and integrate them in the design process. Designers favor
parametric design due to its flexibility and its simplification to complex ideas by providing automated
solutions, which led to the wide use of parametric design and the use of wooden materials in urban
landscaping. The final exercise of the Parametric Design course at The University of Sharjah /
Department of Architectural Engineering was to evaluate the students’ understanding of the course
learning outcomes and the skills developed, a system was to be designed to respond with material,
function and location. For the sake of understanding the fabrication process, the students were required
to fabricate their proposals using simple materials: Structure + Skin + Materials + Forces = System.
Parametric algorithm was created to vary the fluidity of the shape, and optimization of material used.
Benches and tables are CNC cut, fabricated out of 18mm thick wood slices. The Delonesk Table is one
of the final built results that follows the strategy of non-overlapping yet contiguous triangles from a set
of points. The Delaunay Triangulation is used in furniture production. Another built project by the
students The RAK Coffee Table is inspired by the beauty that can be found in the United Arab Emirates.
Extracted from the topographic map of the famous mountainous region of Jebel Jais and its
roundabouts in Ras Al-Khaimah