DigiPedia - Tu Delft

Parametric Modelling

Intro
01 | Build a Parametric model of a cantilevering shell
2 | Generate design variations using mathematical functions
3 | Manipulate a NURBS surface with an attractor point (distance function)
4 | Manipulate a NURBS surface with ‘Graph Mapper’
5 | Manipulate a NURBS surface with explicit functions
6 | Manipulate a NURBS surface with multiple attractor points
7 | Organise a Grasshopper definition
8 | Manipulate a NURBS surface with attractor curves
9 | Build a parametric model of an edge-supported shell
10 | Combine multiple parametric transformations
11 | Draw a flowchart (pseudo-code) to represent a parametric model

Information

Primary software used	Grasshopper
Course	Parametric Modelling
Primary subject	Parametric Modeling
Secondary subject	Optimization
Level	Beginner
Last updated	September 16, 2026
Keywords	Grasshopper NURBS Parametric Design

Responsible

Teachers	Friso Gouwetor , Gabriele Mirra
Faculty	Bouwkunde

Parametric Modelling 0/11

Parametric Modelling

The goal of this assignment is to develop a clear and reproducible parametric design strategy by defining variables, constraints, and geometric transformations. The main goal is to understand how these elements can be used to generate different design variations rather than modelling each variation manually.

The tutorial uses Grasshopper as the primary software and focuses on constructing a parametric model through the definition of variables, constraints, and geometric transformations. The resulting design variations provide a foundation for later performance analysis and optimisation exercises.

Tutorial Overview

Duration approx. 2 hrs.

The tutorial progressively covers:

Building a parametric model
A cantilevering shell based on hyperbolic paraboloids is used as an initial example.
Generating design variations
Mathematical functions are introduced to change geometry systematically and create multiple alternatives.
Using attractor points
A point can influence a NURBS surface based on distance, allowing geometry to respond to a defined location.
Using Graph Mapper and functions
Different mathematical relationships can control how a surface is transformed.
Using multiple attractors and curves
More complex geometric responses can be created by combining several influencing points or curves.
Organising Grasshopper definitions
The tutorial also addresses how to structure a Grasshopper model so that the parametric logic remains understandable and manageable.
Combining transformations
Several parametric operations can be linked together to create more sophisticated forms.
Representing the logic as a flowchart
The final exercise translates the parametric model into pseudo-code/flowchart logic, helping connect visual programming with algorithmic thinking.