# Parametric Design as a Catalyst for Social Innovation - Studio Nuru Karim

> The world is currently facing extreme weather conditions. Issues such as climate change and global warming are at the forefront of several discussions, dialogue, and policies involving stakeholders and representations from civil society across the globe. “Parametric Design…

## At a glance

- Format: On-demand course
- Price: €400.00 (list €450.00)
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Duration: 6 Sessions (24 Hours)
- Schedule: Jul 30 & Sep 3, 2021
- Instructors: Nuru Karim, Roberto Arguelles, Aditya Jain
- Categories: Architectural Design, 3D Modeling, Design Workshops, Sustainability
- Software: Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper 3D
- Students: 10
- Rating: 5.0 / 5
- Canonical: https://paacademy.com/course/parametric-design-as-a-catalyst-for-social-innovation
- Enroll: https://paacademy.com/course/parametric-design-as-a-catalyst-for-social-innovation

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## About this course

Parametric Design as a Catalyst for Social Innovation is a computational design workshop by Studio Nuru Karim that explores how Grasshopper and Rhinoceros 3D can be used to design resilient, sustainable environments addressing climate change. The course covers parametric design principles, sustainable water harvesting strategies, solar energy integration, and urban agriculture systems. It is taught by Nuru Karim (NUDES), Roberto Arguelles (XenoLab), and Aditya Jain, combining computational design methods with real-world social and environmental applications.

## What you'll learn

- Basics of parametric design principles.





- Strategies for sustainable water harvesting.





- Integrating solar energy solutions.





- Methods for urban agriculture.



Innovative approaches to educational design.

## Methodology

The Design Studio would include the following verticals:




_Vertical 01_


**Water** – Harvest




_Vertical 02_


**Solar** – Generate




_Vertical 03_


**Food **– Grow




_Vertical 04_


**Education **– Learn







1. Lectures 

2. Tutorials 

3. Research / Studio Work

4. 3D Printing

## Curriculum

### Session 1
- Part 1 (04:02:42)

### Session 2
- Part 2 (04:35:54)

### Session 3
- Part 3 (04:34:42)

### Session 4
- Part 4 (03:01:10)

### Session 5
- Part 5 (03:03:32)

### Session 6
- Part 6 (02:59:37)

### Session 7
- Part 7 (03:32:51)

## FAQ

### What software is used in the Parametric Design for Social Innovation workshop?
The workshop is taught using Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper 3D. Participants learn to apply parametric modeling techniques directly to sustainability-focused design problems including water harvesting systems, solar energy solutions, and urban agriculture structures. No prior level of Rhino or Grasshopper experience is specified as a requirement; the course begins with parametric design basics before progressing to applied workflows.

### What topics does the Parametric Design as a Catalyst for Social Innovation workshop cover?
The workshop covers four core areas: fundamentals of parametric design principles using Grasshopper; strategies for sustainable water harvesting using computational geometry; methods for integrating solar energy solutions into architectural design; and approaches to urban agriculture applicable to resilient city environments. The course frames each topic within the broader context of climate change, social innovation, and the role of computational design in addressing environmental challenges.

### Who is this parametric design and social innovation workshop suitable for?
The workshop is designed for architects, designers, students, and researchers interested in applying computational design to sustainability and social impact. Participants should have an interest in environmental design challenges and a willingness to engage with parametric tools. The course begins with parametric basics, making it accessible to those newer to Grasshopper while still offering relevant applied content for designers with existing computational experience.

### What will I learn to design in the Parametric Design for Social Innovation course?
Participants will develop parametric design strategies for three applied sustainability domains: resilient water harvesting systems, solar energy integration for architectural projects, and urban agriculture structures. These are explored through computational modeling in Grasshopper and Rhino, combining design logic with environmental performance goals. By the end of the workshop, you will have the tools and methodology to apply parametric thinking to socially and environmentally driven design challenges.