AI FOR ARCHITECTS

Set the foundation for what’s ahead. Meet your instructor, understand how the course is structured, and get a clear view of the assignments and final project you’ll be building toward.

• Instructor intro 
• Course structure 
• Assignments & final project overview

Decode how AI is actively reshaping architectural practice from workflows to decision-making. Learn to identify inefficiencies, think in systems, and build purposeful AI-driven processes, not just tools for the sake of it.

• Responsible use of AI & systems thinking
• AI design workflows: Integration & benefits
• Landscape of AI in architecture: AI tools & capabilities
• Case Studies: Leading firms using AI successfully
• Discussion: Does faster design mean better design?
• Workshop: Systems-thinking mapping exercise

Use AI as a creative partner to shape strong design narratives before form-making begins. Learn how to connect storytelling, context, and generative tools into concepts that mean something.

• AI-assisted conceptual design & prompting
• Design identity, emotional storytelling, narrative-driven architecture
• Case Studies: The Serai of Well-Being project
• Discussion: Maintaining authorship & intentionality when using AI
• Tools: Midjourney, DALL·E, Firefly, LookX, Finch3D, TestFit, ChatGPT, & more
• Workshop: Story to concept

Assignment #1: Translating Sketch into a Story
Sketch the design. Generate AI concept images following the geometry of the sketch. Create a strong design narrative.

Navigate the risks, responsibilities, and legal realities of AI in architecture. Build a practical understanding of ethics, authorship, and compliance in AI-assisted design workflows.

• AI permitting, professional standard, responsible AI use
• Risks, legal implications, bias, representation issues
• Data privacy & cybersecurity
• Case Studies: Copyright lawsuits, AI bias, & more
• Discussion: Risks of relying too heavily on AI-generated solutions
• Workshop: Reflection on our current practice

Explore how AI and LLMs elevate BIM workflows — improving model quality, collaboration, and delivery. Understand how data-driven design is becoming more accessible, scalable, and precise.

• Model-Based Delivery: Direct Manufacturing or Direct Fabrication
• AI tools: Improving model authoring, fidelity, and quality control
• Digital delivery across a range of project types
• Case Studies: Multiple Façade Design Assist projects
• Demo: Rhino + Claude
• Discussion: Augmenting the design exploration process 

Assignment #2: Thought Process
Develop a series of diagrams showing the design intent. Use Firefly to create design alternatives.

Understand how digital twins turn buildings into living systems — combining data, simulation, and AI to inform smarter decisions across design, construction, and operations.

• Digital twin fundamentals & digital manufacturing
• AI-powered scenario testing & optimizing maintenance
• Integration with BIM, IoT, cloud data: Benefits & future outlook
• Discussion: Will digital twins shift the architect’s role?
• Case Studies: Moorgate, Roche Tower, Singapore City-Scale Twin, & more
• Workshop: Digital twin mapping & scenario testing

Assignment #3: Thought Process
Develop elevations showing the facade. Apply materiality and create a moodboard aligned with the narrative.

Leverage parametric design and AI to create performance-driven, site-responsive architecture. Learn to translate environmental data into measurable, optimized design decisions.

• Parametric design & AI-enhanced parametric workflows
• Site & environmental data: Design outcomes
• Sustainable design: Quantification & iteration
• Intent & constraints
• Case Studies: Al Bahar Towers, Sidewalk Labs, The Edge
• Workshop: Creating a basic parametric rule

(Optional) Assignment #4: Parametric + AI Design Strategy
Develop a script that responds to the client and is aligned with the narrative.

Discover how AI is transforming construction through predictive planning, automation, and real-time insights. Improve efficiency, coordination, and project outcomes.

• Predictive scheduling, risk management, resource allocation 
• Real-time site monitoring, progress tracking, data analysis 
• Collaboration across project stakeholders
• Demo: Pirros
• Case Studies: Heathrow Airport, Crossrail Project, Buildots
• Workshop: AI-enhanced construction planning

Assignment #5: AI in Construction Strategy
Develop construction phasing, schedule, and cost in a short proposal.

Learn how to design your own AI-powered tools even without deep coding skills. Build simple, practical solutions that enhance your workflow and give you more control over your design process.

• Creating custom AI tools without programming knowledge
• AI tools for creative exploration & data-driven tasks
• Case Studies: Lovable, Claude Code, AntiRender
• Discussion: Next generation of architects 
• Workshop: Concept for a custom AI tool 
• Demo: Creating a simple architectural AI workflow

(Optional) Assignment #6: Custom AI Tool 
Propose a custom AI tool concept, outlining the problem it solves, the inputs required, the output it generates, and how it supports the design process.

Apply AI to optimize project delivery from resource allocation to decision-making. Understand how data-driven insights can improve timelines, collaboration, and outcomes.

• AI tools for project management
• Resource allocation, communication, cross-team collaboration with AI
• Analyzing project data & decision-making with AI
• Challenges & limitations of using AI
• The future of AI in project management
• Case Studies: Alice Technology, nPlan, Suffolk, Buildots, & more

Assignment #7: Animate Your Story
Create a video animation of the project. Use a video editing software to create an emotional content

Think beyond design and into business. Learn how to win work, position your expertise, and use data and AI to anticipate client needs and drive opportunities.

• Strong relationships & successful proposals 
• Interviews & market research
• Anticipating client needs
• Case Studies: Small & large firms
• Workshop: Positioning & client strategy
• Demo: Snaptrude

Assignment #8: Mini Proposal & Strategy
Develop a short business development strategy + proposal concept for the pavilion project.

(Optional) Assignment #8b: Snaptrude Data
Use Snaptrude to provide data about the project to include in the proposal.

Prepare for what’s next. Explore emerging roles, evolving skill sets, and how to build a resilient, future-proof career in an AI-augmented industry.

• Modern career strategy & career design framework
• Emerging career paths & expanding architectural roles
• Interdisciplinary opportunities
• New roles emerging in architecture
• Demo: AI-assisted career planning
• Workshop: Career decision analysis exercise

Gain real-world perspective from five industry leaders in global engineering, sustainability, landscape, and more. See how AI is being applied today and what it means for your role, your skills, and your career trajectory.

• How AI is used in practice today
• How firms are integrating AI into workflows

Final Project: Professional Portfolio Site
Use a free no-code platform to design and publish a professional portfolio site that documents your entire pavilion design journey from Week 1 through Week 12 — a transparent record of how AI was used at every stage.