Enseñanza del diseño de conexiones estructurales paramétricas aplicando la metodología "design thinking" =Teaching the design of parametric structural connections applying the design thinking methodology

The Pontificia Universidad Católica Del Ecuador, through its architecture school, maintains innovation in design and the use of last generation technology in its teaching emphasis. One of them focuses on the use of BIM tools in their different guidelines. The present research is addressed to digital development of parametric modelling (PM), used with an architectural BIM software through the development of structural connections, which allows tie diverse technical-constructive-elements, function, and materiality [1]. Ecuador is located directly above the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Andes range cross it entirely, representing an elevated seismic risk. This situation knows that structural systems in edifications should be basic premises considering within an architectural design, whose purpose is to decrease construction vulnerability and increase security for the habitants. Due to cultural, natural, and climatological diversity of Ecuador, the country has developed diverse materiality, technologies and architectural typologies to generate living spaces. For those reasons, the research proposes a parametric design methodology of structural connections between constructive components, where the union not only meets its structural function, but also includes an architectural-compositive element that emphasizes functional and formal aspects of the design project [2]. The applied methodology implies a researching work where the student understands the five basic concepts of forces that affect to structures: tension, compression, shear, torsion and traction [3]. The second phase involves the exploration of general function of structural connections, focused on the development of constructive details where are considered technical and formal aspects of the architectural project. The knowledge related to materiality is part of the process: characteristics, properties, benefits and limitations of steel, wood and concrete, used in an independent or combined way. The objective is to link the concepts reviewed previously and apply them in a structural connection in order to build it and as the same time, develop a formal and functional input of the architectural project. Therefore, the practice of parametrization with a last generation BIM software allows using and visualizing different projection planes in two and three dimensions to understand the structural connections and possible interferences of the constructive components in the space [4]. The result of this methodology is the generation of a constructive detail about a structural connection with diverse materials, making it functional, buildable and replicable. Those conditions will allow multiple dimensional adjustments, adaptability to the project requirements and the correct use of local construction materials. The constructive detail will be developed and studied in an architectural BIM software, in order to be properly included in the student´s design project. The accurate methodology to be developed in the current research implies that each student has to model all of the constructive components of the structural connection detail in AUTODESK REVIT 2020, with the intention of ensure a correct work, adaptability and placement of all of its diverse constructive elements in the project [5] [6].