Juxtaposed Designs Models : A Method for Parallel Exploration in Parametric CAD

Computational tools mainly support authoring single-state models, which fall short in enabling designers to work with multiple solutions side-byside. This is a natural design behaviour commonly observed when designers use other media or improvise digital tools to explore alternatives. In this paper we attempt to formalize a method that aims to help designers to create multiple design alternatives derived from a base parametric model and its controllers. The goal is to change alternative designs such that each alternative can respond to changes as their internal structures allow. We present five assumptions on the tools that this can be achieved and also a parametric design pattern to be used in similar situations. Despite the complexity of the models, we can demonstrate the possibility of working with multiple solutions in architectural design.