A Data-integrated and Performance-oriented Parametric Design Process for Terraced Vineyards

Recovery of land knowledge can help to advance the understanding of socio-ecological systems like traditional sustainable agricultural systems. Such efforts require transdisciplinary inquiry, data acquisition and analysis, as well as the development of data-integrated design processes for implementing recovered knowledge in the design of such systems. This article describes the development of a framework for a data-integrated performance-oriented computational design process for the selected case of high-altitude terraced vineyards in Lamole, Tuscany. Based on interviews with local farmers that work with the traditional system of high-altitude terraced viticulture, this research involved analysis of the most complete terraced vineyard in this location, leading to the definition of a performance metric and the development of a parametric computational design process that constitutes a first step towards a generative design approach to terraced vineyards.