Exploring The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Architecture QNewsHub

By Tania Melissa
last updated February 10, 2025
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Artificial intelligence in architecture

Artificial intelligence in architecture describes the use of artificial intelligence in automation, design and planning in the architectural process or in assisting human skills in the field of architecture. Artificial Intelligence is thought to potentially lead to and ensue major changes in Architecture.[1][2][3]
AI's potential in optimization of design, planning and productivity have been noted as accelerators in the field of architectural work. The ability of AI to potentially amplify an architect's design process has also been noted. Fears of the replacement of aspects or core processes of the architectural profession by Artificial Intelligence have also been raised, as well as the philosophical implications on the profession and creativity.[1][2][3]
Implications[edit]

Benefits[edit]
Artificial intelligence, according to ArchDaily, is said to potentially significantly augment the Architectural profession though its ability to improve the design and planning process as well as increasing productivity. Through its ability to handle a large amount of data, AI are said to potentially allow architects a range of design choices with criteria considerations such as budget, requirements adjusted to space, and sustainability goals calculated as part of the design process. ArchDaily said this may allow the design of optimized alternatives that can then undergo human review. AI tools are also said to potentially allow architects to assimilate urban and environmental data to inform their designs, streamlining initial stages of project planning and increasing efficiency and productivity.[3][5]
The advances in generative design through the input of specific prompts allow architects to produce visual designs, including photorealistic images, and thus render and explore various material choices and spatial configurations. ArchDaily noted this could speed the creative process as well as allow for experimentation and sophistication in the design. Additionally, AI's capacity for pattern recognition and coding could aid architects in organizing design resources and developing custom applications, thus enhancing the efficiency and the collaboration between both architects and AI.[3][5]
AI is thought to also be able to contribute to the sustainability of buildings by analyzing various factors and following which recommend energy-efficient modifications, thus pushing the industry towards greener practices. The use of AI in building maintenance, project management, and the creation of immersive virtual reality experiences are also thought as potentially augmenting the architectural design process and workflow.[3][5]
Examples include the use of text-to-image systems such as Midjourney to create detailed architectural images, and the use of AI optimization systems from companies such as Finch3D and Autodesk to automatically generate floor plans from simple programmatic inputs.[6][7]
Architect Kudless in an interview to Dezeen recounted that he uses AI to innovate in architectural design by incorporating materials and scenes not usually present in initial plans, which he believes can significantly alter client presentations. He told Dezeen he believes one should show clients renderings from the onset, with AI assisting in this work, arguing that changes in design should be a positive aspect of the client-designer relationship by actively involving clients in the process. Additionally, Kudless highlighted the AI's potential to facilitate labor in architectural firms, particularly in automating rendering tasks, thus reducing the workload on junior staff while maintaining control over the creative output.[8]
On aesthetics[edit]
In an interview for the AItopia series to Dezeen, designer Tim Fu discussed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in architecture, there he proposed a future where AI could herald a "neoclassical futurist" style, blending the grandeur of classical aesthetics with futuristic design. Through his collaborative project, The AI Stone Carver, Fu showcased how AI can innovate traditional practices by generating design concepts that are then realized through human craftsmanship, such as stone carving by mason Till Apfel. This approach he believed celebrated the fusion of diverse architectural styles and also emphasized the unique capabilities of AI in enhancing creative design processes.[9]
Fu told Dezeen he envisions the integration of AI in design as a means to revive the ornamentation and detailed aesthetics characteristic of classical architecture, moving away from the minimalism, which he said dominates contemporary architecture He argued that AI's involvement in the ideation phase of design allows for a reversal in the roles of machine and human, enabling architects and designers to focus on creating more intricate and ornamental structures. Fu's optimistic outlook extended to the broader impact of AI on the architectural field, seeing it as an indispensable tool that will shift rather than replace human roles, enriching the field with innovative designs that pay homage to the beauty and qualities of classical architecture not present in contemporary architecture while embracing new technologies.[9]

Adam Greenfield, a writer and urbanist with who served as a specialist in the US Army, expressed skepticism towards the optimistic view of AI in architecture. He argued that AI is a significant threat to the architectural profession through its automation of tasks traditionally performed by architects. Greenfield said regarding the future of the architectural profession that perhaps the diverse architectural field would become a small group of international offices/brands similar to Fashion brands.[1]
Greenfield said "This is existential for architects...The people who are now most enthusiastic about AI have no idea what's being done to them. What we need to ask at this stage is what are we here for? If we're not here to bring our life experiences to bear on complex problems through our creativity, then what's left? Eat and shit? The things AI is being called to do are the things which give us a stake in existence.".[1]
References[edit]
The Impact of AI Tools on Architecture in 2024 (and Beyond)

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In 2022, a wider audience gained access to unexpectedly powerful AI tools, including Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and DALL-E 2 for text-to-image generation, as well as the human-like chatbot OpenGPT.
One year later, pundits, organizations, and governments have stated these technologies will pose profound risks to society and humanityfrom automation-spurred job loss to disrupting democratic processes to the automatization of weapons.
In July, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI founded the Frontier Model Forum to regulate AI development. Meanwhile, in November, 28 governments signed the Bletchley Declaration, the first international declaration to deal with the fast-emerging technology acknowledging AI potential "catastrophic risk to humanity.
As part of the latest ArchDailys Year in Review edition, we asked ChatGPT for predictions on 2023's architecture trends. One key takeaway was that OpenAIs chatbot can provide information and examples based on the descriptions it has read, rather than providing its aesthetic analysisat least for the time being. With this interview, we wanted to encourage architects and designers to embrace these technologies for our good in the early stages of development, instead of later suffering the effects of disruption of employment models implemented by someone else.
Prompters and architecture bias

When Alejandro Aravenas ELEMENTAL released the blueprints of four social housing projects for open-source use in 2016, the idea was that architects and the general public worldwide could learn from them. However, beyond architects, only a few possess the technical expertise to read the plans, while even fewer can afford to build them. Similarly, ChatGPT and, by extension, any AI technology, would not replace humans but will overly empower those who know how to promptand those who own it, naturally.
On one hand, recent disruptive technologies led to the mass creation of AI-generated imagery, sidelining design professionals (illustrators, designers, and photo stock companies). On the other hand, they give rise to a new specialization of undetermined duration: promptersindividuals skilled in prompting. Text-to-image generations are a great example: you can look at great results on Reddit leading to think that anyone can easily achieve that level as well, but creators hardly will share their promptsthats creators value.
Midjourney and ChatGPTs knowledge has been acquired by reading the data of millions of websites, thus, both the generative program and the chatbots training reflect the current status of the internet data. Since 63.7% of websites on the internet are in English, according to Statista, it makes sense that ChatGPT is skewed towards Western views and performs best in English" as OpenAI recently acknowledged.
The architectural knowledge of these technologies mirrors the same bias: Midjourney images based on prompts like "[typology] designed by [architect]" from first-world architects produce more aesthetically accurate results. This discrepancy is not due to colonialist or racist biases but rather because the model's crawled data regarding these architects is bigger allowing better results than when asked to imitate specific Mexican, South African, or Indian architects styles.
Predictable architecture

Artificial intelligence is trained by humans but exceeds our capacities as it processes vast amounts of data, identifies complex patterns, and makes decisions based on statistical probabilities. As built architectural production heavily relies on predictable processes that can optimize budget, physical and human resources, speed up construction timeline, and achieve faster scalability of companies commercial operations, then the chances of automatizing most architectural production are high, especially real estate projects.
AI can even optimize new processes by identifying new patterns we do not know yet. However, not every decision on an architectural projects timeline is predictable or efficient. Aesthetics, market trends, marketing campaigns, general public opinion, and stakeholders interests namely, clients, developers, architects, and managers have always been part of the equation. As long as humans are the ones who make the final decision, then AI will be subordinated to ordinary decisions.
Then, the question has to be asked: Will AI technologies replace good architecture?

While Singapore and Dublin have launched their digital replicas using machine learning to predict future events and trends, entire countries have not ensured clean water and electricity for their inhabitants. Since architecture reflects societies (and not the other way around), the accentuated social inequality we live in will continue to be reflected in the architecture we build: some works entirely designed by artificial intelligence, others crafted by hand and physical models in an architect's boutique office, and the vast majority made on-site with paper and pencil without architects on the middle. Perhaps all three scenarios exist within the same city.
Writer Benjamin Labatut stated:
If artificial intelligence were to think, it would have blind spots; if it manages to be creative, it will have limits, because limits are fruitful; if it is capable of imitating our capacity for reasoning, it might need (or develop) our talent for madness. And if it lacks understanding, if it doesn't care about the beauty and horror it can create, then it would be foolish to put ourselves in its hands.
The future of architecture lies at the intersection of technological innovation and human intent. Ultimately, human agencycivil society, politicians, and stakeholdersholds significant influence. The course of history is not written in stone, but shaped by decisions made today, especially if AI affects our pockets.
Architecture, then, becomes a result of collective decisions, where the advancements of AI intersect with the aspirations and values of society. It's within this interplay that the evolution and impact of architecture find their resonance and significance.

This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Year in Review, presented by Randers Tegl."When creating unique architecture, visionary ideas arent always enough. A unique look demands character, courage, and distinctive materials. And a format to achieve the extraordinary. At Randers Tegl, we aim to add a unique touch to exceptional brickworks by bringing premium bricks to life and into the world of architecture. Making the impossible possible. We are proud to be a part of unique architecture worldwide since 1911."Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.