AI-assisted architectural design studio (AI-a-ADS): How artificial intelligence join the architectural design studio?

Abstract Incorporating AI into design is a current and promising research topic. This article investigates and discusses the integration of AI tools into architectural design studios. A 4-stage research methodology (DCIE) is adopted in the article. Accordingly, in the first stage (discovery), the relationship between architectural design education and technology is examined. The second stage (creating) involves planning the architectural design studio (AI-a-ADS) and the workshop with an original setup by instrumentalising AI. In this workshop, AI (Midjourney) is used to relate different materials (text, perspective, and model) in the design process in a heterogeneous dialogue. The third phase (implementation) is the implementation of the workshop. In the final phase (evaluation), the workshop was evaluated by its participants within the framework of AI-a-ADS. The research findings indicate that AI integration supports students in developing their projects and forming the basis for some spatial solutions. Additionally, key issues emerged regarding AI applications in architectural design studios. It is crucial to produce materials that provide design context clues, define AI requirements in advance, and convey technical knowledge in such cases. At the same time, the research has demonstrated the significance of generating uncertain outputs for artificial intelligence to become co-designers. Thus, strategies can be prepared to trigger innovative ideas, and discussing vague outputs in a polyphonic studio environment can trigger the emergence of new potentials.