Design Reform
A blog exploring parametric modeling, BIM, and design technology for new forms of craft.
Design Reform
“Exploring parametric modeling, BIM and Design Technology for new forms of craft.”
Design Reform was a blog and tutorial site I ran from roughly 2008 to 2012, while I was working at SHoP Architects and later building CASE.
What It Was
Design Reform was a resource for architects, designers, and students who wanted to learn computational design tools. I created video tutorials covering a wide range of software:
- Autodesk Revit and Project Vasari — BIM and conceptual modeling
- CATIA / Digital Project — advanced parametric design (the tool Gehry’s office used)
- Rhino / Grasshopper — parametric modeling and visual programming
- RhinoScript — programming for designers
- 3ds Max — modeling and rendering
- ParaCloud GEM, Inventor, AutoCAD, Illustrator
Community
The site grew to over 180 posts and 1,000+ comments. It became a hub for people interested in the intersection of technology and design — students, practitioners, and academics.
I also covered conferences like ACADIA, Smart Geometry, and SimAUD, and shared news about software developments, student projects, and professional work.
Why It Mattered
In the late 2000s, parametric design and BIM were still emerging. Most architects didn’t know Grasshopper from a bug. Design Reform helped bridge that gap — making these powerful tools accessible through free video tutorials and a supportive community.
It was also the seedbed for what became CASE. The expertise and community I built through Design Reform directly informed the consultancy work that followed.
Legacy
The site is no longer active, but archives exist on the Wayback Machine. Many of the tutorials covered fundamentals that are still relevant to computational design today.