The AI experiment in architecture no longer an ‘experiment’
Writer: Ryan Gandolfo
June 2024 — You can’t spell architecture without AI. And while one of the decade’s biggest tech crazes thus far has been brought up ad nauseam, its potential impact on the architecture and design industry is appreciable, but not necessarily positive across the board.
From physical models and 2D blueprints to augmented reality and building information modeling (BIM), architecture is continually embracing more digital tools, but how much these technologies foster innovation versus suppress it will be important to monitor.
“We’ve experimented with various AI tools over the past year. While some have been interesting, not all have been beneficial,” Gina Emmanuel of Centric Architecture told Invest: Nashville 2023-2024.
“Image representation tools have been intriguing but not necessarily practical. The most helpful developments are in research-related tasks. AI speeds up the process of gathering information, allowing us to incorporate it into our designs more efficiently. This faster access to data and product research has been a significant advantage,” she added.
Architecture jobs are projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, outpacing the average for all occupations. This translates to approximately 8,200 new openings annually, driven by both industry growth and the need to replace retiring workers. However, the integration of AI into architectural practices is set to redefine these roles.
An April 2024 survey by German rendering and simulation software developer Chaos found over two-thirds (70%) of architects and design professionals are either using AI tools or plan to in the future. Despite this level of engagement, 60% of respondents have not received formal training in AI, and an additional 18% plan to seek training.
Similar to Centric, LPA Design Studios is still working to understand the potential use cases of AI in their industry. “We have a team looking into AI’s functionality and how it can best serve our firm and our clients,” said Sarah Flowers, San Antonio-based studio director and principal, in an interview with Invest:.
The role of AI in architecture is seemingly more pronounced in the information gathering stages. “AI speeds up the process of gathering information, allowing us to incorporate it into our designs more efficiently,” Nick Dryden of Dryden Architecture + Design told Invest:. And in a market like Middle Tennessee where adaptive reuse — the repurposing of existing buildings for new commercial and residential use — is highly prevalent, opportunities to implement AI are boundless.
“Adaptive reuse can provide opportunities to incorporate smart technologies and sustainable design features into existing buildings,” wrote Mila Savitri and Friska Amalia in a 2023 paper titled Technology and AI Implementation in Heritage Adaptive Reuse as Strategy for Sustainable and Smart City’
“For example, sensors and automation systems can be installed to optimize energy and water usage, while green roofs and other green infrastructure can improve air quality and reduce the urban heat island effect,” they noted.
Despite the advantages, integrating AI into existing software and workflows presents challenges. Over a third of the Chaos survey respondents cited integration issues, lack of time for testing, and insufficient training resources as significant hurdles.
There’s also an industrywide recognition of the need for ethical guidelines governing AI use. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents advocate for standards that include intellectual property protections, quality assurance, and transparency in AI applications. These guidelines are essential to ensure that AI advancements benefit the profession while maintaining ethical integrity.
But while AI presents new opportunities in the industry, there’s a sense it can also have a negative effect on design — an area that’s already experiencing setbacks in creativity, according to industry leaders. “Physically, the area in which we are seeing the most change is the real estate market. This has been bad for the most part because the real estate market has been so strong here that it has given people the license to build just about anything, and just about anything will sell. This is a real mark on our neighborhoods,” said Dryden. “Hopefully, with the economy adjusting and correcting itself, we will see less of that and people will understand that there is more value in contextual design rather than throwing up houses that look like they were built in Minecraft.”
While the fast-paced evolution of AI suggests it will become a permanent fixture in architecture sooner rather than later, applying the technology in the right places is imperative. For now, the challenge will be blending AI tools with both the natural and built environments.
“It’s less about cramming features into a space and more about enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection. This theme of integrating outdoor spaces effectively is a common thread in all our current projects, highlighting its importance in modern design,” said Emmanuel.
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