Practice Management Member Conversations

AI is all the rage right now. How on earth is every firm managing such a subject? How do you see yourself using this new emerging technology now and in 5 years? What do you imagine this doing for you in your practice?

I use nearly a dozen different apps to supplement what I do at work all of the time. I use the phrase "AI go!" which replaced my expression in the 3Ds Max renderings where I would hit the "Surprise me" button (render). AI sometimes saves me time and other times gets my imagination going so much that I spend more time on tasks. Is there a healthy medium? I see it as no different than when I left school and had that sense of endless possibilities in the world and it was so beautiful! From what I am seeing right now, ChatGPT helps with reformatting and giving ideas using specified online sources or simple grammar to help write proposals. Midjourney causes sleepless nights finding millions a new ways to interpret the words I use as design intent in a visual manner. Photoshop AI helps introduce the funniest images to serious renderings and keeps me thinking about scale. Veras makes me rethink how I see geometry similar to the COVID brain swabs from the pandemic, because I realized that solving a problem introduces so many other challenges. DallE makes me think I should have been an accountant. Grammarly reminds me of the fond days when the middle school instructor slapped my hand for forgetting the difference between they're their and there. AND of course that is just the beginning. 

I find a few areas especially challenging and would enjoy hearing your feedback. I'm now just trying to figure out how the practice is incorporating the use of these programs and IF they are starting to regulate the use. How are firms adapting to the rapid advancements? Is there an economic argument most commonly used to sell the idea to leadership? Other thoughts? 

Let's face it, AI in architecture isn't just about making cool, futuristic building models-it's about giving us architects our coffee breaks back! By automating the mind-numbing parts of our job, like generating heaps of preliminary design variations or performing those tedious energy-efficiency simulations, AI is basically the superhero sidekick we never knew we needed. It swoops in to solve complex architectural puzzles faster than you can say "structural integrity," leaving us free to ponder the big questions, like whether a meeting room can also double as a yoga space.

AI is all the rage right now. How on earth is every firm managing such a subject? How do you see yourself using this new emerging technology now and in 5 years? What do you imagine this doing for you in your practice?

I use nearly a dozen different apps to supplement what I do at work all of the time. I use the phrase "AI go!" which replaced my expression in the 3Ds Max renderings where I would hit the "Surprise me" button (render). AI sometimes saves me time and other times gets my imagination going so much that I spend more time on tasks. Is there a healthy medium? I see it as no different than when I left school and had that sense of endless possibilities in the world and it was so beautiful! From what I am seeing right now, ChatGPT helps with reformatting and giving ideas using specified online sources or simple grammar to help write proposals. Midjourney causes sleepless nights finding millions a new ways to interpret the words I use as design intent in a visual manner. Photoshop AI helps introduce the funniest images to serious renderings and keeps me thinking about scale. Veras makes me rethink how I see geometry similar to the COVID brain swabs from the pandemic, because I realized that solving a problem introduces so many other challenges. DallE makes me think I should have been an accountant. Grammarly reminds me of the fond days when the middle school instructor slapped my hand for forgetting the difference between they're their and there. AND of course that is just the beginning. 

I find a few areas especially challenging and would enjoy hearing your feedback. I'm now just trying to figure out how the practice is incorporating the use of these programs and IF they are starting to regulate the use. How are firms adapting to the rapid advancements? Is there an economic argument most commonly used to sell the idea to leadership? Other thoughts? 

Let's face it, AI in architecture isn't just about making cool, futuristic building models-it's about giving us architects our coffee breaks back! By automating the mind-numbing parts of our job, like generating heaps of preliminary design variations or performing those tedious energy-efficiency simulations, AI is basically the superhero sidekick we never knew we needed. It swoops in to solve complex architectural puzzles faster than you can say "structural integrity," leaving us free to ponder the big questions, like whether a meeting room can also double as a yoga space.

This is a current and growing real time practice changer and needs to be approached with caution to avoid unintended ramifications when applying new AI platforms. One perspective being discussed is that architectural AI platforms should not be implemented in a firm unless there is a specific goal of a purpose for using it.  Meaning, don't use it just because it is there and can be used to develop fantastical designs that may have no social, environmental, site, etc., considerations or meet a firms goals of practice. 

A firm should identify a clear purpose for applying architectural AI before letting their awesome computer-oriented designers and architects blast off with these platforms. If used for competitions, if you win it can your firm really execute the cool image developed by architectural AI?

Another point in discussions related to liability is how will architectural AI developed documents (instruments of service) be considered in issues where a standard of care issue arises on a project that ties back to AI........we do not know yet. So again, have a clear purpose for applying architectural AI in architectural practice.  And finally, a firms practice and QA/QC policies will need to be updated when the use and issues about architectural AI come to light.

AI is all the rage right now. How on earth is every firm managing such a subject? How do you see yourself using this new emerging technology now and in 5 years? What do you imagine this doing for you in your practice?

I use nearly a dozen different apps to supplement what I do at work all of the time. I use the phrase "AI go!" which replaced my expression in the 3Ds Max renderings where I would hit the "Surprise me" button (render). AI sometimes saves me time and other times gets my imagination going so much that I spend more time on tasks. Is there a healthy medium? I see it as no different than when I left school and had that sense of endless possibilities in the world and it was so beautiful! From what I am seeing right now, ChatGPT helps with reformatting and giving ideas using specified online sources or simple grammar to help write proposals. Midjourney causes sleepless nights finding millions a new ways to interpret the words I use as design intent in a visual manner. Photoshop AI helps introduce the funniest images to serious renderings and keeps me thinking about scale. Veras makes me rethink how I see geometry similar to the COVID brain swabs from the pandemic, because I realized that solving a problem introduces so many other challenges. DallE makes me think I should have been an accountant. Grammarly reminds me of the fond days when the middle school instructor slapped my hand for forgetting the difference between they're their and there. AND of course that is just the beginning. 

I find a few areas especially challenging and would enjoy hearing your feedback. I'm now just trying to figure out how the practice is incorporating the use of these programs and IF they are starting to regulate the use. How are firms adapting to the rapid advancements? Is there an economic argument most commonly used to sell the idea to leadership? Other thoughts? 

Let's face it, AI in architecture isn't just about making cool, futuristic building models-it's about giving us architects our coffee breaks back! By automating the mind-numbing parts of our job, like generating heaps of preliminary design variations or performing those tedious energy-efficiency simulations, AI is basically the superhero sidekick we never knew we needed. It swoops in to solve complex architectural puzzles faster than you can say "structural integrity," leaving us free to ponder the big questions, like whether a meeting room can also double as a yoga space.

This is a current and growing real time practice changer and needs to be approached with caution to avoid unintended ramifications when applying new AI platforms. One perspective being discussed is that architectural AI platforms should not be implemented in a firm unless there is a specific goal of a purpose for using it.  Meaning, don't use it just because it is there and can be used to develop fantastical designs that may have no social, environmental, site, etc., considerations or meet a firms goals of practice. 

A firm should identify a clear purpose for applying architectural AI before letting their awesome computer-oriented designers and architects blast off with these platforms. If used for competitions, if you win it can your firm really execute the cool image developed by architectural AI?

Another point in discussions related to liability is how will architectural AI developed documents (instruments of service) be considered in issues where a standard of care issue arises on a project that ties back to AI........we do not know yet. So again, have a clear purpose for applying architectural AI in architectural practice.  And finally, a firms practice and QA/QC policies will need to be updated when the use and issues about architectural AI come to light.

AI is all the rage right now. How on earth is every firm managing such a subject? How do you see yourself using this new emerging technology now and in 5 years? What do you imagine this doing for you in your practice?

I use nearly a dozen different apps to supplement what I do at work all of the time. I use the phrase "AI go!" which replaced my expression in the 3Ds Max renderings where I would hit the "Surprise me" button (render). AI sometimes saves me time and other times gets my imagination going so much that I spend more time on tasks. Is there a healthy medium? I see it as no different than when I left school and had that sense of endless possibilities in the world and it was so beautiful! From what I am seeing right now, ChatGPT helps with reformatting and giving ideas using specified online sources or simple grammar to help write proposals. Midjourney causes sleepless nights finding millions a new ways to interpret the words I use as design intent in a visual manner. Photoshop AI helps introduce the funniest images to serious renderings and keeps me thinking about scale. Veras makes me rethink how I see geometry similar to the COVID brain swabs from the pandemic, because I realized that solving a problem introduces so many other challenges. DallE makes me think I should have been an accountant. Grammarly reminds me of the fond days when the middle school instructor slapped my hand for forgetting the difference between they're their and there. AND of course that is just the beginning. 

I find a few areas especially challenging and would enjoy hearing your feedback. I'm now just trying to figure out how the practice is incorporating the use of these programs and IF they are starting to regulate the use. How are firms adapting to the rapid advancements? Is there an economic argument most commonly used to sell the idea to leadership? Other thoughts? 

Let's face it, AI in architecture isn't just about making cool, futuristic building models-it's about giving us architects our coffee breaks back! By automating the mind-numbing parts of our job, like generating heaps of preliminary design variations or performing those tedious energy-efficiency simulations, AI is basically the superhero sidekick we never knew we needed. It swoops in to solve complex architectural puzzles faster than you can say "structural integrity," leaving us free to ponder the big questions, like whether a meeting room can also double as a yoga space.

I apologize for being the big dummy here, but I feel like you learn by asking. 

I am familiar with ChatGPT.  But what is out there that does architectural AI?  I am reading into this thread that there is some AI  program(s) that do rendering or presentation style AI design?  Surely, there aren't any doing detailing or other more project specific design?  What is a program or programs I should be familiar with or should know about to better understand what the architectural AI movement is all about? 

And, yes I have googled the issue, but I apparently don't know enough to find adequate information.

Bob "I am starting to feel old" Smith

------------------------------
Robert Smith AIA
Talley & Smith Architecture, Inc.
Shelby NC

Original Message:
Sent: 04-25-2024 12:42 PM
From: Michael L. Katzin AIA
Subject: AI... Go!

This is a current and growing real time practice changer and needs to be approached with caution to avoid unintended ramifications when applying new AI platforms. One perspective being discussed is that architectural AI platforms should not be implemented in a firm unless there is a specific goal of a purpose for using it.  Meaning, don't use it just because it is there and can be used to develop fantastical designs that may have no social, environmental, site, etc., considerations or meet a firms goals of practice. 

A firm should identify a clear purpose for applying architectural AI before letting their awesome computer-oriented designers and architects blast off with these platforms. If used for competitions, if you win it can your firm really execute the cool image developed by architectural AI?

Another point in discussions related to liability is how will architectural AI developed documents (instruments of service) be considered in issues where a standard of care issue arises on a project that ties back to AI........we do not know yet. So again, have a clear purpose for applying architectural AI in architectural practice.  And finally, a firms practice and QA/QC policies will need to be updated when the use and issues about architectural AI come to light.

------------------------------
Michael Katzin, AIA
Michael Katzin Project Services, LLC
Johns Creek, GA
Member - Johns Creek Planning Commission

Original Message:
Sent: 04-23-2024 11:12 AM
From: Michael Perez
Subject: AI... Go!

AI is all the rage right now. How on earth is every firm managing such a subject? How do you see yourself using this new emerging technology now and in 5 years? What do you imagine this doing for you in your practice?

I use nearly a dozen different apps to supplement what I do at work all of the time. I use the phrase "AI go!" which replaced my expression in the 3Ds Max renderings where I would hit the "Surprise me" button (render). AI sometimes saves me time and other times gets my imagination going so much that I spend more time on tasks. Is there a healthy medium? I see it as no different than when I left school and had that sense of endless possibilities in the world and it was so beautiful! From what I am seeing right now, ChatGPT helps with reformatting and giving ideas using specified online sources or simple grammar to help write proposals. Midjourney causes sleepless nights finding millions a new ways to interpret the words I use as design intent in a visual manner. Photoshop AI helps introduce the funniest images to serious renderings and keeps me thinking about scale. Veras makes me rethink how I see geometry similar to the COVID brain swabs from the pandemic, because I realized that solving a problem introduces so many other challenges. DallE makes me think I should have been an accountant. Grammarly reminds me of the fond days when the middle school instructor slapped my hand for forgetting the difference between they're their and there. AND of course that is just the beginning. 

I find a few areas especially challenging and would enjoy hearing your feedback. I'm now just trying to figure out how the practice is incorporating the use of these programs and IF they are starting to regulate the use. How are firms adapting to the rapid advancements? Is there an economic argument most commonly used to sell the idea to leadership? Other thoughts? 

Let's face it, AI in architecture isn't just about making cool, futuristic building models-it's about giving us architects our coffee breaks back! By automating the mind-numbing parts of our job, like generating heaps of preliminary design variations or performing those tedious energy-efficiency simulations, AI is basically the superhero sidekick we never knew we needed. It swoops in to solve complex architectural puzzles faster than you can say "structural integrity," leaving us free to ponder the big questions, like whether a meeting room can also double as a yoga space.

Bob - I think one side effect of Artificial Intelligence (particularly due to the rapidity with which it's potential & reach is expanding) is that a lot of people will feel left behind.  So I asked ChatGPT for some funny puns about that - you be the judge. I like the last one best.

1. "I asked my friend if he knew how A.I. could help with architecture and design, and he said 'I guess it's all just A.I. to me!'"
2. "People who don't understand the power of A.I. in architecture and design are just A.I.-gnorant!"
3. "I told my coworker about the benefits of using A.I. in our design process, and he replied, 'Sounds A.I.-mazing, but I'm still in the dark!'"
4. "When it comes to A.I. in architecture and design, some people are A.I.-dentity crisis!"
5. "I tried explaining the capabilities of A.I. for our architectural projects, but my colleague just said 'I A.I.-n't got a clue!'"

But seriously, YES, there are people doing amazing things with renderings and presentations. My impression is that began with people generating new images from descriptions - I used Discord/MidJourney until they stopped letting me do so for free, now I use Craiyon but don't like it as much, and have dabbled in perchance.org/ai-photo-generator; there a bunch of others, a few free at least to try it.

But, as in follow-the-money, I see things quickly shifting to programs that plug in to the major architectural softwares such as revit and sketchup, which take a rudimentary massing model of your design and amp it way up based on your verbal descriptions (like, make this box look like a house designed by Renzo Piano but set in the jungle).  main one I know of it Veras AI, but there are many others.  They seem to be priced so that mid-and large firms will sign up for several variations of these programs but micro-practices like me that need this only a couple times a year can't swing it.

To your "surely they are doing any detailing or design" question - um, yes.  And definitely in the future. Testfit.io generates multiple iterations of floor plans based on your programming parameters and site restrictions for large buildings. Blueprints-ai.com advertises to homeowners that they are "here to streamline the architectural and engineering process for you. Our platform utilizes advanced AI technology to produce high-quality construction documents, giving you the peace of mind you deserve" and tells architects that "By integrating state-of-the-art AI and smart design, our platform can help you save time, minimize errors, and elevate the quality of your work".

I have read many architects opining on how AI will save them the drudgery of their jobs and allow them to spend more time on doing a better job or just doing what they love.  I am significantly more skeptical - given economic realities of competition, we will just have less work to do and less time to do it in for smaller fees. The clients may or may not save money, but a bigger share of the pie will go to the AI software business owners. That said, the revolution is here, so if you want to eat cake instead of have your head roll, don't hold tight to your sailboat while everyone else is flying rocketships.  mixed metaphor, sorry.

3 of my questions:

1. What specific policies has anyone put in place/considering about AI use?
2. Seems like there are so many AI programs - how many are you using and is it impacting your I.T. Budget?
3. Why aren't you using more AI? 

I apologize for being the big dummy here, but I feel like you learn by asking. 

I am familiar with ChatGPT.  But what is out there that does architectural AI?  I am reading into this thread that there is some AI  program(s) that do rendering or presentation style AI design?  Surely, there aren't any doing detailing or other more project specific design?  What is a program or programs I should be familiar with or should know about to better understand what the architectural AI movement is all about? 

And, yes I have googled the issue, but I apparently don't know enough to find adequate information.

Bob "I am starting to feel old" Smith

------------------------------
Robert Smith AIA
Talley & Smith Architecture, Inc.
Shelby NC

Original Message:
Sent: 04-25-2024 12:42 PM
From: Michael L. Katzin AIA
Subject: AI... Go!

This is a current and growing real time practice changer and needs to be approached with caution to avoid unintended ramifications when applying new AI platforms. One perspective being discussed is that architectural AI platforms should not be implemented in a firm unless there is a specific goal of a purpose for using it.  Meaning, don't use it just because it is there and can be used to develop fantastical designs that may have no social, environmental, site, etc., considerations or meet a firms goals of practice. 

A firm should identify a clear purpose for applying architectural AI before letting their awesome computer-oriented designers and architects blast off with these platforms. If used for competitions, if you win it can your firm really execute the cool image developed by architectural AI?

Another point in discussions related to liability is how will architectural AI developed documents (instruments of service) be considered in issues where a standard of care issue arises on a project that ties back to AI........we do not know yet. So again, have a clear purpose for applying architectural AI in architectural practice.  And finally, a firms practice and QA/QC policies will need to be updated when the use and issues about architectural AI come to light.

------------------------------
Michael Katzin, AIA
Michael Katzin Project Services, LLC
Johns Creek, GA
Member - Johns Creek Planning Commission

Original Message:
Sent: 04-23-2024 11:12 AM
From: Michael Perez
Subject: AI... Go!

AI is all the rage right now. How on earth is every firm managing such a subject? How do you see yourself using this new emerging technology now and in 5 years? What do you imagine this doing for you in your practice?

I use nearly a dozen different apps to supplement what I do at work all of the time. I use the phrase "AI go!" which replaced my expression in the 3Ds Max renderings where I would hit the "Surprise me" button (render). AI sometimes saves me time and other times gets my imagination going so much that I spend more time on tasks. Is there a healthy medium? I see it as no different than when I left school and had that sense of endless possibilities in the world and it was so beautiful! From what I am seeing right now, ChatGPT helps with reformatting and giving ideas using specified online sources or simple grammar to help write proposals. Midjourney causes sleepless nights finding millions a new ways to interpret the words I use as design intent in a visual manner. Photoshop AI helps introduce the funniest images to serious renderings and keeps me thinking about scale. Veras makes me rethink how I see geometry similar to the COVID brain swabs from the pandemic, because I realized that solving a problem introduces so many other challenges. DallE makes me think I should have been an accountant. Grammarly reminds me of the fond days when the middle school instructor slapped my hand for forgetting the difference between they're their and there. AND of course that is just the beginning. 

I find a few areas especially challenging and would enjoy hearing your feedback. I'm now just trying to figure out how the practice is incorporating the use of these programs and IF they are starting to regulate the use. How are firms adapting to the rapid advancements? Is there an economic argument most commonly used to sell the idea to leadership? Other thoughts? 

Let's face it, AI in architecture isn't just about making cool, futuristic building models-it's about giving us architects our coffee breaks back! By automating the mind-numbing parts of our job, like generating heaps of preliminary design variations or performing those tedious energy-efficiency simulations, AI is basically the superhero sidekick we never knew we needed. It swoops in to solve complex architectural puzzles faster than you can say "structural integrity," leaving us free to ponder the big questions, like whether a meeting room can also double as a yoga space.