Story at a glance:
- AI in architecture is a tool enabling engineers and architects to create more efficiently while streamlining workflows among all team members involved in a building’s design, planning, or construction.
- According to a recent survey, two-thirds of people in the design and architecture professions already using AI are self-taught.
- Generative design is an example of how architects use AI algorithms to generate several possible designs based on inputted data.
AI in architecture is quickly revolutionizing the profession. In fact, 46% of the 1,227 designers surveyed in a study commissioned by Chaos through Architizer reported already using AI tools for their projects, and 24% plan on using it soon. Remarkably, 60% of survey respondents have received no formal training in AI. This means AI in architecture is being driven by self-learning.
In this article we explore current trends, tips, and examples of the AI being used in architecture.
What is AI?
“AI is a catchall term for a set of technologies that make computers do things that are thought to require intelligence when done by people,” according to a recent article in the MIT Technology Review. Still in its infancy, the current state of AI is prone to making mistakes, including facial recognition programs misidentifying people or driverless cars causing accidents.
What is AI in Architecture?
Rendering courtesy of Enscape
There are a multitude of ways AI can be used in architecture, including:
● Assisting designers, engineers, and architects to imagine more innovative, cost-effective, or creative solutions
● Creating virtual 3D models or renderings
● Searching for new design trends and patterns
● Optimizing materials for cost, energy efficiency, etc.
● Running tedious calculations (e.g., solar studies, lighting simulations, energy consumption estimates, etc.)
● Analyzing huge datasets and formulating new insights from them
When using AI for any of these reasons, architects and designers are able to explain their plans more effectively to clients.
“As a culture we’ve all gotten so much more visual with things like Instagram and TikTok. Our attention spans are shorter, and being able to showcase projects quickly and give people an overview, you can really share the story so much quicker without having to walk people through a potentially dense presentation or show them a series of plans that may be hard for the average person to interpret,” says Caoimhe Loftus, digital lead at Arcadis, in an earlier article for gb&d.
Current Trends in AI in Architecture
There’s no question that AI is making waves in design and architecture. These are a couple of trends.
1. Augmented reality (AR) combined with virtual reality (VR) technology will overlay digital information onto the physical world. Designers will be able to see how their designs will or will not sync with the existing environment pre-construction.
2. AI will be used by urban planners to design entire cityscapes. It will, for example, be able to incorporate climate data to predict how current or future green infrastructure will protect cities from storm surges. Or, AI will predict the degree of structural integrity buildings should have to be resilient in the face of climatic challenges.
Examples of AI in Architecture
“Enscape’s VR is a game-changer in the design process, as it offers architects, designers, and clients a profound understanding of scale, proportion, and spatial relationships within the built environment,” says Chaos’ Andreea Lipan. Rendering courtesy of Chaos
Architects and designers possess a natural aptitude for experimentation. This trait makes them ideal AI explorers. Here are a few of the fruits of their discovery of AI in architecture.
AI in VR
Enscape has become a leader in integrating AI with virtual reality (VR) technology.
“With the integration of VR Enscape has democratized the perception of space—once a skill requiring extensive training in geometry and sketching. Now accessible instantly through a VR headset, individuals can perceive architectural designs with the acuity of an architect,” Andreea Lipan, product marketing manager at Chaos, the company behind Enscape, previously told gb&d.
“By immersing themselves in the virtual environment, clients can explore proposed projects comprehensively and use real-time feedback to make informed decisions about design elements, materials, and spatial configurations. This eliminates misunderstandings that often arise from 2D documentation or static images, allowing clients to visualize projects effectively and participate actively in the design process,” Lipan says.
AI Text to Image Generators
AI text to image generators use deep learning techniques to create images based on text descriptions.
“With the right input an architect could enter a range of design requirements, such as the number of rooms, the desired layout, and the style of the building, and the AI generator could produce multiple designs that meet those requirements. These designs could then be further refined or combined to create the best possible solution that meets the client’s needs,” Majeda Alhinai, a Solutions Studio designer at Arktura, previously wrote for gb&d. A recent addition to Arktura’s product line is Arborisa—biophilic inspired modules that provide atmospheric and acoustic properties to any space.
Generative Design AI
Generative AI in architecture uses algorithms to create a wide range of design options based on a user’s specific input parameters and huge quantities of other data such as site conditions and building codes to investigate every conceivable option, such as structure, materials, and production techniques, then optimize them. It can recommend, for example, a design that excels in a specific way for cost, weight, or load- bearing characteristics. In the process, architects and designers can select the design leading to more sustainable or energy efficient buildings with maximum structural integrity.
This type of AI automates time-consuming, repetitive tasks, like building modeling and simulation. By identifying the most economical features, generative can save you money. For instance, Deloitte predicts this technology may save up to 15% in construction costs.
Another benefit of generative AI is that it can do the work designers and architects would like to do if they had infinite time to consider all their options. Gen AI can literally create thousands of designs in seconds.
Tips for AI in Architecture
Inspired by the local desert landscape, Arktura’s Solutions Studio team worked in tandem with the architects and designers to create this stunning custom ceiling system for Phoenix Sky Harbor in Phoenix, designed by Corgan. Photo by Kurt Griesbach
AI in architecture is here to stay, so it’s imperative to become skilled at using it. Here are a few tips to make AI in architecture work for you.
Become familiar with the latest AI tools suitable for use by designers and architects. For instance, some AI text-to-image generators are: DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, CLIP, and StyleGAN. They’re similar but unique. Explore which one(s) works best for you through trial and error.
Spend time experimenting with AI tools on a variety of projects and at all stages from conception to final build. Send your feedback to the tools’ makers so future iterations will be easier to work with and possess greater functionality.
Join or form a professional network using AI in architecture to share experiences and troubleshooting guidance.
Inquire about or coordinate in your firm formal training in AI for all team players.
