Cognitive effects of using parametric modeling by practicing architects: a preliminary study

This paper presents the results of a protocol study which explores the cognitive behaviour of eight practicing architects while they used a geometric modeller (Rhino) with a parametric modeller (Grasshopper) as they designed. The protocol videos collected were transcribed, segmented and coded using the FBS ontology as the coding scheme. This resulted in each protocol being transformed from a qualitative video into a sequence of symbols from the FBS ontology and further divided into design knowledge and rule algorithm classes. The sequence of symbols forms the foundation on which quantitative representations of cognitive behaviour can be constructed and compared. Results of the relative cognitive effort expended on design knowledge and rule algorithm classes, through an articulation of the cognitive design issues, have been compared and discussed. These results provide insight into the use of parametric modellers by architects.