Architectural Alchemy

AI's Transformative Role in Architecture

Our exploration of AI's impact on architecture began in recent years. Instead of viewing AI as a potential threat to our profession, we test and embrace its potential advantages. Concurrently, we launched the "Designing Futures – exploring AI, Data, Architecture and beyond" podcast. In this podcast, we explore the vast potential of AI for architecture and design, discussing possibilities and challenges. Our mission is to expand the conversation by engaging with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the field, inviting them to share profound insights and innovative approaches to design our future.

Our hands-on experience with AI took center stage during our participation in the Iceland Beer Spa competition. By committing to leveraging multiple AI tools, we successfully submitted a high-quality entry within a short timeline, showcasing how these technologies can profoundly influence and elevate architectural endeavors.

The competition itself presented a canvas for creative expression in the captivating backdrop of Iceland's Myvatn lake area. Situated near the Sel Hotel and the legendary Skútustaðagígar craters, our challenge was to craft a unique wellness and leisure facility that resonated with the region's spirit and provided an unforgettable experience for both tourists and locals alike.

In the initial research phase, we delved into AI tools such as Liner.ai and ChatGPT 4.0 to gather essential information about the project, the site, and relevant climate studies. This laid the groundwork for our subsequent exploration of design concepts.

Transitioning to the concept phase, Midjourney became a pivotal companion in our creative journey. We generated 222 images by providing text prompts describing the site, concepts, environment, lighting, ambiance, and quality. These images not only served as a source of inspiration but also became valuable references that shaped our final architectural vision.

As the design matured, the need for image generation for the competition submission arose. This phase involved a collaborative effort from Lookx, Midjourney, and Photoshop AI.

Lookx facilitated the enhancement of image environments through text prompts, providing a dynamic tool for shaping the visual narrative.

Meanwhile, Midjourney played a central role in generating a substantial volume of images – 620 in total – from which 84 were meticulously shortlisted, and 12 were refined to perfection. The synthesis of text prompts and the blending of reference images, including those generated in the research phase, furniture references, and site images, contributed to the creation of a cohesive and visually striking submission.

For the final polish, Photoshop AI was employed in post-production, adjusting details and infusing life into the images.

This seamless integration of generative AI in the image generation process not only streamlined our workflow but also yielded photorealistic visuals with remarkable efficiency. Subsequently, ChatGPT played a crucial role in articulating the intricacies of our architectural project, ensuring that our submission was not only visually compelling but also communicated effectively.

Our experience with AI in the Iceland Beer Spa competition was nothing short of fascinating, providing us with a valuable opportunity to rigorously test our tools within a precise brief and given timeline, opening new possibilities and frontiers for exploration in the field of architecture.

Since then, we have continued to explore the ever-evolving and multiplying capabilities of generative AI tools. These tools have proven invaluable in working with basic 3D models as a foundation for spatial imaginations, enabling us to push the boundaries of design and visualization. Through iterative experimentation and application, we have discovered new methodologies to enhance precision, creativity, and efficiency in our projects.

If you’d like to know more about this subject, listen to our podcast Designing Futures,

Episode 2, with Immanuel Koh Deep dive into how the academic world is embracing AI”.

 
Nathalie Rozencwajg