Just six months into my full-time career, a new service hit the market that rocked almost every major industry: ChatGPT. Not a complete first of its kind, but a first of its popularity, it turned all of our heads to notice the state of artificial intelligence. Powerful, surprisingly accurate, and way too convenient, the introduction of AI to the public made architects and architectural designers scratch at the back of their necks in nervousness. “Will this take my job?” they thought.

For us, in the architectural design industry, we should look at our daily responsibilities and assess; “Could AI do this?” Let’s think: according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a Project Designer at an architecture firm,

“Works independently on architectural design projects and often coordinates project design efforts. Develops planning and creative design concepts for projects. Prepares presentation and design drawings and details… and provides planning and design support in the preparation of design development.”*

In pieces, a Project Designer coordinates design efforts, develops design concepts, prepares drawings and details, and supports the team. Is AI capable of these tasks?

Coordination:

Architecture firms have long been adopting innovative ways to coordinate work with consultants. Autodesk and others offer cloud-based systems that allow engineers, architects, and special consultants to work simultaneously in the same virtual space. Preparing models and line drawings to export to consultants is often unnecessary. What was once a significant portion of a designer’s time has been drastically reduced. Programs by Autodesk and others not only save money by reducing time to assemble coordination materials, but also by making resources available to the team and avoiding the coordination time of chasing information.

Concept Development:

Conceptual design is truly of the human mind, right? I’d say yes. No matter the power of an AI platform, it is not a human mind with lived experiences and the understanding of context. It can be influenced by existing work and it can blend styles together in attractive ways, but its nature as a machine of inputs and outputs renders it unable to produce something truly original. It can, however, inspire us. Much like visiting a new city or studying an architect of the past can leave us with new thoughts, it too can show us an image that sparks an idea.

Preparing Drawings and Details:

Yes. I have full confidence AI will do this in its entirety one day. Probably in my lifetime. Did people expect Microsoft Word to automate word processing the way it has? Or, did architects expect systems like Aorbis’s MasterSpecs would automate specification book creation to the point of simple inputs? I think the same has already begun in construction document creation. The industry standard is no longer to produce 2D drawings – it must be a 3D model. Clients expect to virtually explore the space before it’s built, and architects want to make coordination decisions informed by the space’s 3D appearance. Consultants often design their site grading, ductwork, piping, and wiring in 3D space. Before ground is even broken, a full 3D version of the building to come, inside and out, exists. How are we to think that AI will not become fully capable of analyzing that model, creating plan and elevation views of it (construction documents), and prescribing how its conditions could be built (details and specifications)?

Supporting the Team:

AI has already began supporting our teams. AI meeting note writers, AI scheduling coordinators, and AI communication management systems are a few of the many tasks AI will take from Project Designers. The days of a project designer, likely the lowest billing rate on the project, spending a third to half of their week doing administrative tasks like these are already gone.

So, if the majority of a Project Designer’s work is to be greatly reduced by AI, what is a Project Designer to do? There are certainly a few ways to approach the challenge:

Option 1: Dig In

Shield your firm from adopting these new programs. Freeze your technological understanding where it is today, and refuse to learn new software and processes. And, for goodness sake, defend the assertion that practicing architecture was better, “Back then.”

Option 2 : Nothing

Act as if nothing has changed. Ignore your competition that wins projects over you for their more impressive proposals with better developed drawings and renderings, their more efficient work and lower fee, and their technologically advanced reputation. Remind yourself that, “One day they’ll learn what practicing architecture really means.”

Option 3 : Adapt

Embrace new ideas and learn to use the things that scare you. Spend a little time researching what could make your work more efficient and suggest it to your leader. Consider the things you could do with that time you’ve saved, and dream what your position could become. And, ask yourself often, “How will architects work in the future?”

AI’s introduction to the public was a turning point; it’s out there now and our clients know about it. Yes, it will take your job if your job does not evolve. Technology is supposed to make our lives better, and this can do just that.

This is an opportunity.

An opportunity to make your day more about the things you profoundly enjoy about the profession – the things that aren’t menial, that cannot be properly done by a computer. It’s an opportunity to deliver a better product to the client. A set of drawings, book of specifications, or even a meeting minutes document that’s less likely to be out of date, full of human errors, or just plainly incomplete.

So, let’s embrace what’s new.

Let’s introduce the newest technology to our offices; let’s start the process now. Begin your financial analyses now to make the research and implementation of new technology like this financially feasible. Let’s start developing our sales pitches to our leaders, clients, and consultants. Let’s workshop why this is our path and why they should join us on it. And, finally, let’s determine how we’ll measure these technologies’ successes, and decide at what point we will change direction.

The stakes are high.

Every year, more and more people leave our industry. They leave for jobs that also appreciate their ability to use technology to create. User experience design jobs,  and industrial and product design jobs lure our talent away with the promise and delivery of a growing, well-paying, progress-minded landscape. We’re left with those who, “have the passion.”

AI isn’t a threat to us – it’s a blessing. It’s the tool we will use to make our work better. It’s the “secret weapon” that will help our clients better imagine their final product; the piece that increases client satisfaction.

In 20 years, there will be two types of architects: those who learned how to use AI, and those who did not. One of those two groups will be thriving, the other, struggling. Let this reality be motivation to us to make our profession more desirable for generations of colleagues to come.

References:

* The American Institute of Architects. (2023, December 8). Definition of architectural positions. https://www.aia.org/resource-center/definition-of-architectural-positions 

Original Post Date: May 3rd, 2025