During the early to mid-20th century, architects began to explore the relationship between natural laws and mathematical principles. Without the advanced design technology available today, they utilized morphogenetic thinking and analog methods to create forms based on parameters. This approach led to what can be referred to as ‘proto-parametricism,’
where architects used analog computation to derive forms (Carpo, 2017).

The famous saying “form follows function” by Sullivan took on new meaning during this period. Italian architect Luigi Moretti posited that if a building’s function could be defined by parameters, then its form could be created through mathematical equations tied to performative criteria. Performative criteria encompass structural forces, spatial or geometric connections,
and environmental aspects such as light and airflow (Moretti, 1960).

Moretti’s concept of ‘architettura parametrica’ emerged around the time electronic computers were being developed and this wasn’t just any coincidence. In this approach, parameters were assigned to architectural components, similar to how computer code uses binary digits to represent specific actions. While this may have been the first use of the term “parametric” in architecture, it was not the first instance of algorithmic thinking in the field.