BNCA Hosts Parametric Design Workshop on High-Rise Architecture

The Department of Digital Architecture at B.N. College of Architecture (BNCA), Pune, recently organized a three-day parametric design workshop titled ContextCraft – Vertical Morphologies. The workshop focused on exploring high-rise building design across varied urban contexts and aimed to introduce students to computational design thinking.

The initiative was conducted under the guidance of Principal Ar. Anurag Kashyap and with the support of Head of the Department Ar. Dhanashree Sardeshpande. The workshop was organized and conducted by Assistant Professors Ar. Supriya Ghadge and Ar. Kaushik Sardesai.

During the workshop, participants were introduced to digital design tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper, where they learned to develop design logic and construct algorithms for parametric modelling. Students also explored environmental analysis using the Ladybug plugin, enabling them to study factors such as solar exposure and climate conditions as parameters influencing architectural form.

In addition to computational modelling, participants experimented with AI-assisted visualisation tools including RayFlies and other AI-based platforms to enhance presentation and rendering workflows. The workshop also featured a guest lecture by Ar. Neeraj Mahajan from UNS, Amsterdam, who shared insights into the firm’s work and demonstrated the RayFlies AI rendering workflow.

Students from different years of the B.Arch. program participated in the workshop, many of whom were new to digital design tools. Over the three days, participants developed data-driven high-rise design proposals and translated their digital models into physical prototypes using 3D printing, giving them hands-on exposure to the integration of computational design and digital fabrication.