Integrating AI into the Design Process

Ollie's journey into AI within architecture began when he transitioned from a BIM (Building Information Modeling) specialist to a Design Technology Specialist at BIG. This shift allowed him to explore the potential of AI and its integration into the design process.

"It's been a case of seeing this thing, being interested in it, and just trying to keep up with what's going on and test it and try it out," Ollie explains. The team at BIG has been actively experimenting with AI tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, ChatGPT, and Styly Interior AI exploring how these technologies can be leveraged to enhance the design workflow.

"We use what we call a 'big school,' where we, like, someone from the office presents, like, 'Hey, this is this AI thing.' I kind of give a background of what AI is, a bit of the history of AI, and a much broader perspective of, like, what is potentially around the corner."

This hands-on approach has allowed the BIG team to stay at the forefront of AI advancements, constantly evaluating how these tools can be seamlessly integrated into their design process.

AI-Powered Visualization: Revolutionizing Architectural Rendering

One of the most promising applications of AI in architecture is in the realm of visualization. Tools like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion have the potential to significantly streamline the rendering process, freeing up architects to focus on the core aspects of design.

"Midjourney is most powerful as like idea iteration," Ollie notes. "It's great to, like, you come up with an idea and you can maybe get close to that and most importantly, visualize and communicate that idea at the same time."

However, Ollie emphasizes that the true value of architecture lies in the thinking and research behind the design, rather than the final rendered image. "The value of what we do as architects is still the thinking. Where do you think architectural visualizers will be in the future? Like, what's going to happen with them."

As AI-powered visualization tools continue to evolve, Ollie foresees a shift in the role of architectural visualization firms, with some facing potential disruption, while others adapt and leverage these technologies to their advantage.

The Impact of AI on Architectural Visualization Firms

The rise of AI-powered visualization tools has sparked discussions about the future of architectural visualization firms. Ollie acknowledges that if he were running a rendering firm, he "would be sweating a little bit."

"I had Yan Bunger from Squint Opera on our podcast, and he wrote a paper called the 'Death of the Visualizer' or the 'Death of renderers' a little while ago. And I mean, yeah, if I was a rendering firm, I would be sweating a little bit."

However, Ollie believes that the true value of visualization lies in the narrative and thinking behind the image, rather than just the technical execution. He sees the future of architectural visualization as a collaboration between human creativity and AI-powered tools, where the best visualization firms will adapt and leverage these technologies to their advantage.

The Collaborative Future: AI as a Design Partner

As AI continues to evolve, Ollie envisions a future where architects and AI work together as collaborative partners in the design process. He refers to this as the "AI collaborative era" or "Architect 3.0," where smaller, nimbler practices leverage AI to tackle complex design challenges.

"I do think we will see the new era could be like much smaller, nimbler practices where small teams collaborate with AI to tackle these similar products. And hopefully, we'd see a much more diverse array of different practices."

This collaborative approach opens up new possibilities for architects, allowing them to focus on the core aspects of design while AI handles the more time-consuming tasks. Ollie believes this shift will lead to a more diverse and innovative architectural landscape, with practices of all sizes and specializations.