Is AI changing the way you work? I’m wondering! You can now ask Chat GTP to write your newsletters, posts and emails…the list goes on and on.

What does this mean for us? Can AI do our jobs better than we can; or does it miss some of the nuances?

To answer this question, a starting point might be to look at what we actually do all day and whether there are tasks in there that could be done by some kind of AI. This will be a useful task in its own right, no doubt many of us will be reflecting where our value lies!

For me personally, a typical day might start by deleting emails like this one! A typical email I receive might want me to outsource CAD work or CGIs to India or China. There are always a fair share of double glazing sales emails too of course.

Among them are one or two important ones from clients, naturally sharing their appreciation for the hard work we are doing for them, but perhaps politely asking when their planning drawings will be ready or why the glazing we have recommend is costing so much and taking so long!

I attempt a response along the lines of “…from our 20 years experience refurbishing house we have found that these particular windows provide the best quality product and service while achieving the very specific requirement we have in this situation… which in turn will ensure that the wonderful morning sunshine that your site benefits from will flood fill your breakfast table with warm spring sunshine while also mitigate against excessive overheating due to the special coating this manufacture can offer to its glazing….” While intermittently delating emails with subject headings of “cheap and fast aluminium doors systems”.

I decide to give Chat GTP a go:

Apart from insisting to spell ‘emphasise, minimise and prioritise’ with a ‘z’, that is not a bad effort! A couple of carefully selected prompts might get quite an acceptable response, it is certainly polite and professional, and created in just a few seconds! Or is there something missing?

I move onto looking at some proposed plans with one of my colleagues. How do we get this bathroom and utility room to fit in this space? Chat GTP isn’t going to fix this one I think to myself…

Design is sometimes actually a process of trial and error, exploring different possibilities, drawing them assessing them … perhaps there is an AI that could do this* and leave us with the task of assessing and directing the possibilities. Akin perhaps to outsourcing CAD work to one of my earlier offers.

*A quick google search doesn’t yield anything but I’m sure it is there somewhere (or is it an opportunity?)

This one at Architechtures seems to be able to efficiently design entire residential buildings for ultimate efficiency, cost and energy performance! 🤔

ARCHITEChTURES

https://architechtures.com

Personally I’ve always resisted outsourcing and remote working of recent years because the collaborative design process of working as a team is very hard to replicate without being in the same room, let alone artificially simulate. We must not forget to value the power of communication, teamwork, and collective problem-solving.

The afternoon involves a site visit where onsite parameters require a change to the design of a garden building; conversations with our contractor yield a richer solution that utilises their specific skill set.

There is so much more to architecture than efficiency. Humans need homes and spaces that create an emotional response, just as they do with their relationships and connections to the wider world. While some triggers can be artificially simulated, can AI ever be truly creative and provoke a genuine response to emotions such as empathy, inspiration and serendipity?

It it certainly true that AI tools will help us to design more efficiently and possibly even better, but I dont think those of us that strive to create life enriching spaces, made with genuine collaboration and craft will be out of a job just yet; in fact these are areas where we probably bring most value.

For a final bit of fun, I have run my conclusion back through Chat GTP, requesting humorous summary written in a more British way (no z’s please). This is what I got:

“Creativity, my dear chaps and chappettes, is not only a game of skill and technique but also a deeply emotional journey that taps into the core of our human existence. When it comes to design, it's not just about crafting spaces that are visually appealing or functionally efficient. Oh no, it goes far beyond that. Design is an art form that speaks to our innate desire for personal connection, creativity, uniqueness, and the evocation of memories and nostalgia.

You see, my friends, when we create a space, be it a home or a workplace, we're not merely arranging walls and furniture. We're sculpting an environment that becomes a vessel for human experiences. It's in these spaces that cherished memories are forged, where we seek solace, celebrate joyous occasions, and find inspiration. It's where we express our individuality and find comfort in the embrace of familiarity.

In the realm of design, AI may excel in generating options based on algorithms and patterns, but it falls short in understanding the deep emotional nuances that underpin our connection to spaces. The human touch, my friends, is what infuses design with that intangible quality that tugs at our heartstrings and resonates with our souls.

Through our innate creativity, we architects and designers have the remarkable ability to capture the essence of human emotion and weave it into our creations. We consider the play of light and shadow that evokes a sense of tranquility, the careful selection of materials that bring warmth and tactile pleasure, and the arrangement of spaces that spark a sense of wonder and curiosity.

These emotional elements are the secret ingredients that make design truly transformative. They forge a personal bond between individuals and their surroundings, transcending the boundaries of time and leaving an indelible mark on our hearts.

So, my fellow creators, let us celebrate the emotional tapestry of design, where our expertise as architects and designers intertwines with the deep-rooted human need for connection, creativity, uniqueness, memory, and nostalgia. Together, we can shape spaces that not only cater to functional needs but also stir the depths of our souls, leaving a lasting impression that transcends the ordinary.

With heartfelt creativity,”

Matthew Wood

MW Architects