ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that what the fields of computational design and parametric design hold in terms of potential and capability, they lack in clarity and specificity. Inherent in the computational design process is the ability to quickly explore multiple design iterations throughout a project. This process is sometimes referred to as "optioneering," in which consultants and collaborators are brought on early in a design to help define the project constraints. The chapter provides series of interviews intended to present a snapshot of computational design applications in practice. It highlights a diversity of approaches that diverge from the common practices established across the architecture and engineering industries. Since computational design comes in so many shapes and sizes it is best to describe more specifically what is being offered by these individual practices. In some cases, the focus is on efficiency and precision. Value is socially constructed and the practices interviewed struggle to balance the supply of possibilities with demand from clients.
