Ideology as geometry: A note on Parametricism and its theoretical foundations

Abstract

As early as 2008 the architect and architectural theorist Patrik Schumacher, previously known mostly for his creative partnership with Zaha Hadid, announced the arrival of new architectural style—Parametricism. This new style was, in his vision, destined to replace the project of architectural (and urban) Modernism, including further transitory stages (Deconstructivism/Post-Modernism). However, despite such bold claims, neither practice nor theoretical premises of Parametricism provide any reasons to consider this form of computer aided design as the manifestation of a new and great architectural style. In analysing the theoretical framework of this architectural phenomenon, the author suggests that despite obvious stylistic innovations made possible through various computer-aided design technologies, Parametricism remains just one more ideology closely connected to those previous architectural trends that came into being following the gradual demise of Modernism. The very fact that a theory has been constructed to present Parametricism as a seemingly novel architectural discourse and practice, as it continues to pursue a neo-liberal agenda that is influential—not because of the soundness of its foundation, but because contemporary cultural climate is held under the spell of post-Modernist dogmatism—illustrates the premise of this paper. Parametricism’s geometry and morphology have very little meaning or purpose behind its technological promiscuity. Thus, Parametricism is nothing more than ideology disguised as aesthetic theory to serve purposes other than sustainability, equity or making 354 A. SAMALAVIČIUS the built environment more humane. As a discourse and practice, it is an “avatar”of globalization contributing to the homogenization of urban environments