Design

Design is a broad term that reflects the creative and visual aspects of the architectural practice. The term “design” gained significant prominence during the late 1960s and 1970s. In contemporary times, there’s a trend toward defining design more narrowly, leading to specialized fields like “graphic design,” “industrial design,” and “UI design.”

The software tools intended for design prioritize functionalities that foster creativity, exploration, and collaboration. They incorporate features such as generative design algorithms for exploring diverse design alternatives, intuitive sketching and visualization tools for rapid idea generation, parametric modeling capabilities for creating adaptive designs, seamless integration with BIM and CAD platforms for interoperability, VR and AR functionalities for immersive design experiences, collaboration features for real-time teamwork, AI-driven design assistance for intelligent recommendations, performance analysis tools for evaluating design performance, and flexible customization options to tailor the software to users’ specific needs.

Diverse toolset. In the initial stages of a project, designers often use a wide array of tools for design exploration and conceptualization. They include software for 3D modeling, parametric design, sketching, and AI-based tools for generative design. As the project progresses and the design becomes more defined, the list of tools indeed gets narrower. This toolset is usually fixed in advance based on the project requirements.

Conceptual design. At the onset of a project, designers and architects engage in conceptual design to explore creative ideas, develop design concepts, and establish the overall vision for the project. This stage involves brainstorming, sketching, exploring various design possibilities, and ideation to conceptualize the form, function, and spatial layout of the building or infrastructure.

Contemporary approach. A notable trend is the appearance of new AI tools and integration of AI functionalities into the existing design tools. AI tools represent a transformative shift in the creative process, enabling architects to co-create with AI algorithms in a collaborative and iterative fashion.

This interaction with AI allows for iterative design exploration, where architects can rapidly generate and evaluate numerous design alternatives to find optimal solutions. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data within the constraints given by the predefined parameters.

This process enables architects to push the boundaries of creativity and get to solutions that may not have been discovered through traditional methods alone. Augmented human creativity and expanded design possibilities result in enhanced design outcomes.