Summary thoughts by Andy Rockmore, AIA, Principal at SAR+
It’s only been two years since the introduction of AI image generators like Midjourney. AI proved that images can be created not by people, but by using descriptive words. This free software generated billions of images in seconds of seductive buildings. Until recently, AI didn’t know the AI-generated image was a building; now it does. AI can almost immediately spit out floor plans, structural framing options (based on discoverable geotech reports), and unlimited program configurations. All the while, Architects continue to take on more production and risk, while accepting less time and lower fees.
So let’s stop asking AI to do the things we do well, and have it do the things we don’t do so well. How can we let go of some historically important tasks, so we can adapt to our highest and best value, creating space and time for holistic, human-centered design?
Professor Deutsch offered a few impactful pro tips:
- Use AI to start the explorative concept design process. A few ChatGPT prompts or questions, stating the problem, will generate information that puts you in the middle of the problem, rather than being stuck at the start.
- AI can run exhaustive iterations of everything from office building core locations to whole master plan configurations in seconds, giving confidence that all options have been analyzed, and removing, or at least isolating, subjective preferences.
When AI does more and more of our tasks, when construction knowledge is baked into our design tools, when our clients are undertaking their own test-fits, what do we do with more time? We design. We improve the quality of our work, we continue to search for balance between work and life, and knowing our profession as we do, we likely take on even more work.
No doubt Architects will continue pushing AI to accomplish tasks a computer can do more efficiently, accurately, and quickly. However, fortunately, what AI will always need us to do, is what makes us authentically human beings: continue creating possibilities, orchestrating people and relationships, using our innate empathy, and translating and synthesizing an ever complex world.
About Randy
For over thirty years, Randy Deutsch, FAIA has been an architect and educator, author, international keynote speaker, and AI researcher. As a licensed architect, Randy designed over 100 large, complex sustainable projects for which he received the AIA Young Architect Award Chicago. In the last decade, Randy has authored 6 books, most recently Convergence: The Redesign of Design; Superusers: Design Technology Specialists and the Future of Practice (a “Best Future of Technology Book of All Time” recipient); Think Like an Architect: How to develop critical, creative and collaborative problem-solving skills; and Adapt As an Architect: A Midcareer Companion.
In addition to teaching at University of Illinois at Chicago starting in 2001 and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign starting in 2012, until 2019 Randy served as Associate Director for Graduate Studies in the School of Architecture. He previously served on AIA Chicago Board as Director and Vice President; on Architect Magazine’s 2018 R+D jury; led an annual Executive Education program at Harvard GSD; and served on the 2023 AIA National Design Awards jury. In 2020, his team received an NSF Grant and DPI Seed Grant for planning a first-of-its-kind institute for the application of AI in design, construction and operations of buildings and infrastructure.
In 2020, Randy was elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council. As a book author, international keynoter, workshop leader, administrator, mentor and educator Randy currently leads a graduate AI studio and aims to help current & future design professionals understand impacts of emerging technology on future practice, to plan for and navigate a fast-moving, uncertain future with confidence.
More about Randy www.randydeutsch.com
