The impact of generative AI on architectural design education: insights from hands-on experience with architecture students

The integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into architectural education has been increasingly explored for its potential influence on the design process. However, empirical evidence on its applications remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the impact of GenAI on students’ performance in a supervised project conducted at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. The study assessed the outcomes focusing on creativity, time efficiency, and design quality. The findings indicated that the test group demonstrated generally better performance than the control group, especially in design form and aesthetics, where an improvement of 14% was observed. The study also interviewed experts in the field and discussed their similar experiences and recommendations in this regard. The study proposed a framework outlining the recommended levels of GenAI integration across the different design stages to help students and educators utilize GenAI tools while ensuring sufficient critical engagement.