Credit: Paul Farrington
I am impressed that Architect magazine, the official magazine of the AIA, published this critique of parametric design by Witold Rybczynski. I am still very much on the fence regarding parametric design--I do think it has benefits--but this critique is the first coherent critique of it that I have read. (I am sure there is plenty of writing on the subject, I just haven't seen it.)
"The 2010 Guangzhou Opera House by Zaha Hadid, Hon. FAIA, is a poster child for the caulking industry."
I think the article clearly articulates out what how uncomfortable parametric design makes many architects--that the tool is merely a form generator and has little to with, and often hinders the execution of, quality construction. The built environment matters, not just the designed environment. It appears that many architects forget or never knew this simple fact. If OMA designs a cool building with crap details, it is a bad building no matter how well designed the parti or concept.
Another good quote:
“You know, computers are getting so clever that they seem a bit like those pianos where you push a button and it plays the cha-cha and then a rumba. You may play very badly, but you feel like a great pianist.”
I hope that highlighting this quote by Renzo Piano doesn't make me sound like an old man, but I think the point is a valid one. Sure, you could argue that the operation of a table saw doesn't make you a carpenter, but a table saw doesn't output what could be considered whole a building.