Architectural practice process and artificial intelligence -- an evolving practice

TL;DR

This paper reviews how artificial intelligence is transforming architectural practices by enhancing creativity and efficiency, while also highlighting its limitations and the need for critical integration in design processes.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive narrative review of AI's evolving roles across all stages of architecture, emphasizing its collaborative potential and challenges.

Findings

AI is increasingly integrated in architectural stages

AI automates repetitive tasks and generates innovative solutions

AI challenges ocularcentric approaches, emphasizing sensory and experiential design

Abstract

In an era of exponential technological advancement, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in architecture, reshaping traditional design and construction practices. This article explores the multifaceted roles of AI in the architectural process, emphasizing its potential to enhance creativity and efficiency while addressing its limitations in capturing multisensory and experiential dimensions of space. Historically, architectural innovation has paralleled technological progress, from basic tools to advanced computer-aided design systems. However, the integration of AI presents unique challenges, requiring architects to critically evaluate its role in design. A narrative review methodology was adopted, focusing on academic sources selected for their relevance, recency, and credibility. The findings reveal that AI is increasingly integrated across various stages of the architectural process, from early conceptualization and site analysis to generative design and construction detailing. AI tools excel at automating repetitive tasks and generating innovative design solutions, freeing architects to focus on creativity and problem-solving. Additionally, AI's (text- toimage) visual representation strength challenges the ocularcentric approaches in architecture, which should push future architects to address the holistic sensory and experiential qualities of space or the critical thinking inherent to architectural design. While AI offers transformative potential, architects must view it as a collaborative partner rather than a passive tool.