The influence of generative AI with prompt engineering on creative design in architectural education

In architectural education, artificial intelligence (AI) has traditionally been used as a digital design tool, but its role as a pedagogical aid for enhancing creative thinking has been underexplored. This study investigates the integration of generative AI and prompt engineering in a first-year architecture course, focusing on learner-centred activities that link architectural language and forms. A three-phase approach – combinational form generation, exploratory validation, and transformative prompt engineering – was developed based on Boden’s creativity theories. Findings showed variations in students’ prompt engineering skills, especially in form creation and visualisation, and highlighted the role of self-evaluation in enhancing creativity. This research provides a framework for using generative AI to deepen students’ understanding of architectural concepts and improve educational outcomes.