When many people think about an architect at work, they imagine graph paper, pencils, and scribbled dimensions. Back in the day, this was the way to design, and created some of the most advanced buildings and structures the world had ever seen.
Nowadays however, the world of architecture has progressed beyond paper and pencils. Architects now use the most advanced technology to not only create incredible designs but present them in new and exciting ways too.
There are a number of systems that architects can use when designing their next project. This includes:
These all benefit the architect in a number of ways. Some make it easier, more efficient, or safer to design a home; BIM and Cloud Computing improve collaboration, communication, and data security.
Virtual reality and 3D printing enable them to show off their designs in more creative ways (more about that later). Even something as simple as a high-resolution screen or better email system can improve output dramatically.
With so much to choose from, it can be tough for a growing architecture firm to know what to invest in. But there’s no doubting the impact embracing new technologies will have.
It’s no mystery that you can do more with a computer than with graph paper.
For example, 3D modelling has been one of the biggest innovations of the last decade or so and is now something any architect should provide. They can be bolder with their designs, make adjustments more easily, and the process is faster overall once they’ve mastered the software. When you work with existing assets, you can fully furnish your designs quickly, giving clients, stakeholders, and themselves a clear understanding of how the space can/will be used.
Even the best architects are human, and humans make mistakes. With a 3D model (either digital or 3D printed), any errors are immediately obvious and correcting them doesn’t require scrapping hours of work. However, we could be looking at a future where humans aren’t the only source of architectural design.
‘AI’ is a term thrown around in every industry these days. Often, it’s just a buzzword used to tempt shareholders, but in architecture there’s a lot more to it.
In theory, generative AI programs could be used to produce residential and commercial designs in moments, in any form requested. This could save architects a lot of time, allowing them to spend longer on projects that require a human touch.
Like with all AI innovations, this is only beneficial if it works. But as a lot of AI software is still in its infancy, errors are common, and prompting is fiddly. Given time there is a lot of potential for AI to support architecture firms, but there are a lot of kinks to iron out first.
There’s also the issue of creativity. Many people approach an architect because they want something new or specific, which an AI model will struggle to provide. Listening to our clients is a key part of our business, especially for commercial projects, so for now we’ll continue to follow the collaborative approach that has worked for a long time.
On the flip side, robotics has had a lot more time to develop and be implemented into architectural design and construction. Robots can build quickly and precisely, making them useful for creating scale models and the final product. It sounds like sci-fi, but you’d be surprised how common it is already.
Designing the perfect home or commercial building isn’t as simple as creating a model and sending it to the construction team. Presenting designs to the client and company stakeholders needs to be done right. Technology helps with this.
There are a number of ways to present a design. 3D models are easy to show off, as you can present an interactive, 360-degree view of every inch. The design can be furnished or empty, allowing the client to fill in the blanks themselves or see a more finished product.
As these models are so easy to tweak, you can even take suggestions in the moment, showing different versions of the model to find the perfect design. Once again, this collaboration is something we pride ourselves on.
Some architecture firms are now using technology to go one step further.
VR can allow a client to see the design in-person before a single brick is laid. 3D models can be scaled up to full size and easily implemented into a VR program. Nothing will sell a design better than being able to see it in all its glory. Walking through your new home or office virtually is an amazing experience, and something architects love to offer. It can even be used by the architects themselves during the design process!
At Adarch, sustainability is our priority. Implementing new technologies can often have a negative impact on a business’ carbon footprint. 3D printing, for example, is costly in both power and the materials required to create models.
An architecture firm needs to balance embracing the new tech with sustainability, only adopting new advances if they can be operated in a sustainable way. Priorities vary between companies, and there are ways to offset carbon emissions in other parts of their operation too.
As new technology is introduced, and existing systems are innovated, architectural design will change a lot over the next few years. There will always be some firms determined to keep things old school, using techniques that are still just as effective as ever, but most will embrace the new.
We’re proud to be on the forefront of new technology, especially when it comes to sustainable architecture and design. Even if we aren’t providing some of the technology discussed in this blog and others in the future, we’ll keep you informed about their development and how they affect the architectural design industry.
