Jargon and Miscommunications: A Framework to Integrate Artificial Intelligence in Architectural Design Communication

Abstract

Communication is an essential aspect of architecture as the ability to communicate designwork drives the architectural process. Architects convey ideas through diverse forms, from intricate drawings to detailed verbal explanations, to stakeholders including clients and contractors. As technology and tools have evolved, the amount and complexity of the information that is communicated has followed suit. Architecture is a constantly evolving field—the tools and methods that architects use are responsive to changes in technology. There have been instances throughout the history of the field where new technologies cause a fundamental shift in the way the profession operates. These technologies didn’t necessarily originate specifically from architecture but integrated in unique ways. AI is one of these that looks to cause another one of these shifts within architecture. With the recent advent of AI technology, the architectural profession and building industry at large is seeing a large increase in AI experimentation within design and workflow. While AI is broadly trained to cover a wide range of topics, the niche nature of architecture and its communication leaves uncertainties in its abilities to integrate, along with how it will alter the profession. While AI has the potential to exist in many different parts of architecture, this dissertation explores the hypothesis that careful AI integration can augment architectural communication, influencing design and decision-making. Utilizing an extensive literature review, case studies, and practical applications, the research investigates the value and challenges of AI in architectural discourse, encompassing ethical and social considerations. Findings reveal that AI can be both a benefit and hindrance within architectural communication. While AI can facilitate visualization and presentation, the nature of the tool being not specific to architecture means in some cases time used to set up these AI tools ends in unsatisfactory results. Nevertheless, AI opens a new avenue for design communication, potentially shifting the architectural paradigm. By providing a framework for integration, architects and firms may be more prepared to adopt AI into their workflow, enhancing their communication, and allowing for more informed decision making. The underlying premise of this project will remain relevant even as the technology it describes evolves and becomes more adept with the specifics of the architectural field. The needle will also move in terms of architecture being up to date with the rest of the AEC field.