In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been making inroads into various industries and sectors, transforming them in remarkable ways. This has exploded in the last year or so, with AI programs like ChatGPT becoming easily accessible to the masses and professionals alike.
This is creating new opportunities within many creative industries, and architecture is no exception. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we design buildings, disrupting the status quo like VR already is.
How AI is being used in architecture today
You may have seen some of the AI-produced art that’s gone viral in recent months. Generative design in architecture follows a similar formula, albeit with a more technical approach. With generative design, a computer algorithm can generate multiple design options based on a set of parameters that are fed into it by an architect in order to ‘design’ a building. The software then uses these parameters to generate designs that are optimised for specific goals, such as energy efficiency, structural stability, or aesthetic appeal.
Another way AI is being used in architecture is through machine learning algorithms that can analyse and interpret large amounts of data such as weather patterns, energy consumption, and building performance. By processing this data, these algorithms can identify patterns and trends that can help architects optimise designs without having to make the necessary calculations themselves.
AI can also help architects and engineers to simulate and predict the behaviour of structures and materials under different conditions. For example, AI algorithms can simulate how a building will respond to an earthquake or a high wind, which can help architects to design a safer, more resilient building.
What does AI innovation mean for modern architecture?
As you can imagine, the innovation that generative design and machine learning can bring to architecture has staggering potential. It can not only speed up some of the more technical calculations that go into a design, but it can also reduce the possibility of human error.
Does this mean AI could replace human architects?
The answer to this question is a resounding no. The creativity and intuition required to create a livable space is still the backbone of architectural innovation, and these are elements that only a skilled human touch can provide. Increasingly, AI is showing that it can perform data analysis and even interpretation at a dizzying, almost perfect rate. This is a tool that a skilled architect can use to enhance their own creativity, but it’s not a replacement for it.
Together, AI and architects may become strong partners – but in truth, we’re still a way off from seeing this in the mainstream of contemporary architecture.
The role of human creativity in the age of AI
No matter how infallible the computational power of the most advanced AI, the emotion, creativity and life experience that an architect channels into their work simply can't be replicated. Human architects bring a level of emotional intelligence and empathy that machines simply cannot.
However, by automating certain tasks and processes, AI can free up time and resources for architects to focus on the more complex and creative aspects of design. This is an exciting prospect for Marraum; we’ve constantly been at the forefront of architectural advancement, having adopted the use of VR in architecture. So, could AI be ‘the next big thing’ for architecture? We’re certainly looking forward to finding out.
Bring your home into the next generation with Marraum
We’re always looking for ways to enhance the lives of our clients, by crafting spaces that resonate with their visions. To do this, we use some of the most advanced design methods available in modern architecture.
By designing our clients’ projects in 3D, we give them the opportunity to step into these fully realised spaces in virtual reality. This provides an unrivalled view of the building, from the inside and out, before a single brick has been laid.
If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with us – we’d love to talk through your project with you.