In the ever-evolving landscape of architecture, we find ourselves at the cusp of a new era, one illuminated by groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence. My journey into the realm of AI for architectural design began with curiosity and a bit – actually, a lot of skepticism. My boss was the one who suggested I look into AI tools we could implement at work. Could a machine truly comprehend the depth of creativity and precision required in architecture? Coming from a world of luxury, high-end residential, and having worked for some of the best architects in NYC and the Hamptons, I honestly doubted it. This blog post is a testament to the transformative journey I embarked on- first becoming super underwhelmed by ArchitectGPT, and then being pleasantly surprised by Midjourney AI.
The First Encounter with Architect GPT
My introduction to AI for architecture was on instagram – a lot of viral accounts kept popping up for me, with chaotic and over cooked renderings. I thought it would have no place in high-end residential, and when my boss asked me to try out ArchitectGPT, my instincts felt validated and I lost hope.
Below on the left is a pool house I had designed for a client that ended up going on hold. As you can see, I had very basic materiality suggestions of black powder-coated steel, wood accents, slated privacy walls. When I dropped my image into ArchitectGPT, all of my intended materiality was lost. It has a mind of it’s own – one that has no rhyme or rhythm. No matter how many times I tried altering the prompt, it could not pick up my louvered wall, or my many desperate pleas to align the pool to the center of the structure. Let’s not even get started on the bizarre landscaping choices. At very best it’s a tool for developers and house-flippers, and those who don’t have a formal training or education in architecture.
The Second Encounter with Midjourney AI
A few days later I mentioned to a friend my experience with ArchitectGPT, and how disappointing and overwhelming it was. I had totally forgotten she was on the “AI Committee” at her firm. She mentioned Midjourney AI and suggested a few Instagram accounts to follow to see what the technology was capable of, though she felt it still wasn’t up to par with the level of detail we are used to. Anyhow, I decided I would give it a try, this time leaving my expectations at the door, and was happily surprised.
Transformative Potential
Unlike ArchitectGPT, you can’t upload a sketch or image to be transformed. You simply have to prompt the bot to the best of your ability. I decided I would test it on a bathroom design for a new house my parents are building and was really excited by the results. Instead of looking on Pinterest for inspiration images based on keywords floating around in my mind and creating a mood board, I entered those ideas as a prompt and this is what it gave me:
Aside from some slightly random design decisions, I was impressed. Unlike ArchitectGPT which does not allow you to make variations on any design iterations, Midjourney allows you to make slight or strong variations to any of the images you see, as well as selecting certain areas, and asking it to re-do just the vanity or just a tub.
Challenges and Revelations
The potential of Midjourney AI in architecture is boundless and in my opinion a lot more refined for luxury design. It’s not just about creating more visually stunning designs; it’s about redefining the parameters of architectural innovation and being able to create many ideas very quickly. The AI’s ability to analyze and learn from vast databases of architectural styles and elements means it can offer design solutions that might not be immediately apparent to the human eye. However, there are of course some cons. When I prompted the AI to design an actual house, I was less excited. I started small, prompting it to design a small cape-style house, with some modern finishes. What it initially gave me was 4 options for a house that looked like a Cyclops. Utilizing the ability to create variations, it eventually came up with a decent enough design.
Real-World Applications
I don’t want my exploration of Midjourney AI to be confined to theoretical possibilities and pretty images that don’t get built. I’m applying it to real-life by taking inspiration for the bathroom designs and applying the material palette and design ideas for my parent’s new build. Instead of creating construction drawings and interior elevations for custom similar millwork, I’ll be sourcing similar vanities, plumbing fixtures, lights, and tiles for my parents to procure!
Looking Ahead
The journey with ArchitectGPT and Midjourney AI has been enlightening, to say the least. It has not only enhanced my design capabilities but also reshaped my perception of the future of architecture. As we look ahead, the integration of AI in architectural design promises a more collaborative, innovative, and sustainable approach to creating the spaces we live, work, and play in.
Embracing the Future
Midjourney AI for architects is something I’m very excited to embrace moving forward; it’s all about opening our minds to the infinite possibilities that emerge when human creativity synergizes with artificial intelligence. The future of architecture is bright, with AI paving the way for more innovative, efficient, and sustainable design solutions. As architects, our role is to guide this technology, ensuring that it complements our creative visions and enhances the human experience within the spaces we create. And I look forward to the advancements when it comes to inputing actual spatial parameters, dimensions, intended locations for elements, etc.
Conclusion
My exploration into Midjourney AI has been a FAST and transformative journey, one that has reshaped my understanding and approach to architectural design. It has shown me that the future of architecture is not about humans versus machines but rather about how we can work alongside AI to push the boundaries of what’s possible. As we stand on the brink of this new era, I’m filled with excitement and optimism for the revolutionary changes Midjourney AI promises to bring to our profession and the world.
