26 DESIGN
UPDATES TO PARAMETRIC DESIGN TOOL PARAM-O IS A NEW BUILT-IN PARAMETRIC DESIGN TOOL THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE ON BOTH WINDOWS AND macOS.
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he tool comes from Building Information Modelling (BIM) software design company Graphisoft and allows architects and engineers to create building component libraries parametrically. Graphisoft claims users will be able to create custom objects and building elements quickly without needing to write a single line of GDL code or script, due to the software tool’s easy-to-use graphical interface that was developed specifically for architects. PARAM-O was first introduced as a technology preview on Windows in July 2020 for Archicad 24, but is now for the first available for Mac users, with a builtin macOS version. The move should make it easier for existing users to upgrade to the latest version and capabilities of the software, even in mid-project.
FEATURES The tool allows architects, designers and engineers to quickly create parametric design components with limitless variations. Students in these disciplines are able to create unique shapes and forms swiftly, says Graphisoft, adding that it promotes the experimentation with various designs and shapes. The parametric capabilities of PARAM-O mean large and established architectural practices are able to develop custom, reusable, manufacturer-specific object libraries that comply with their own offices’ design and documentation standards and requirements. Peter Koncz, BIM manager at New York’s Leroy Street, says, “The nodes
THE BUSINESS OF ARCHITECTURE
make it so easy to work in PARAM-O. Because we carefully design every project down to the smallest detail, we need to build a lot of custom components. Creating reusable parametric objects without writing code has made this process quick and easy for us.”
UPDATE IMPROVEMENTS Focusing on an enhanced Integrated Design workflow, PARAM-O’s update includes the use of a predefined or customised Excel database file to automatically map Manufactured Profiles to SAF Cross Sections at export – saving time and effort compared to mapping by hand. The same database file can be used at import, export or both.
INSTALLING PARAM-O To start accessing the tool, users need to update their Archicad 24. Since the Archicad 24 Update 3, PARAM-O has been part of the Archicad product and, therefore, doesn’t need to be installed separately, as it is updated together with Archicad. However, the previously installed PARAM-O (before Update 3) was installed separately as an add-on and the Archicad update will not be able to update it properly. If this applies and users have older versions of PARAM-O, they’ll need to uninstall it, unless their version is in the Archicad ‘Add-ons/ Standard’ folder, in which case it will be automatically overwritten by the latest version. There is no need to uninstall in this case.
THE TOOL ALLOWS ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS AND ENGINEERS TO QUICKLY CREATE PARAMETRIC DESIGN COMPONENTS WITH LIMITLESS VARIATIONS.
