Dr. Dima Alkawadri, Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, explores how Generative AI is reshaping architecture and interior design—enhancing creativity, optimising workflows, and pioneering sustainable solutions for the spaces of tomorrow
Dr. Dima Alkawadri, Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Dr. Dima Alkawadri, Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University Dubai on using Generative AI For Architecture And Interior Design

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the interior and architectural design industry. It is helping designers think outside the box, speed up their workflow, and revolutionise how spaces are conceptualised and executed. Instead of replacing creativity, Generative AI is a powerful tool that enhances and refines the design process. From sketching out initial concepts to optimising structural integrity and even suggesting sustainable materials, Generative AI transforms how architects and interior designer’s work.

In interior design, Generative AI is streamlining the process of creating personalised and functional spaces. By analysing a user’s preferences and spatial limitations. AI-powered tools can suggest furniture layouts, colour palettes, and decorative elements that match the client’s style. Furthermore, virtual staging has become a game-changer where Generative AI can generate realistic, furnished images of spaces before any physical setup is done, making it easier for clients to visualise the result.

Generative AI, although still limited, is a valuable tool for space optimisation for small apartments and office spaces. It can analyse a room’s layout and recommend the best ways to arrange furniture, position lighting, and incorporate storage solutions. Generative AI can also assist in material selection by predicting which textures, colours, and finishes will work best together, reducing the guesswork in design decisions. Sustainability is also a primary focus in today’s design world, and using AI-enabled tools is helping make buildings greener. It can suggest eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs, supporting architects in creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also environmentally responsible. Other AI models can analyse real-time environmental data to optimise building orientation, maximise natural lighting, and enhance ventilation to reduce energy consumption.

Beyond aesthetics, Generative AI is increasingly integrated into parametric and computational design workflows. Parametric architecture transforms the design landscape by merging complex algorithms with creativity to produce innovative and functional structures. Computational design enables architects to generate forms that are not only visually striking but also efficient and performance-driven. AI models enhances this process by analysing complex spatial constraints, refining layouts for durability, and running simulations that assess structural stability before construction begins—reducing errors and improving safety. Once considered a niche practice, parametric design has become a cornerstone of modern architecture, offering optimised solutions for both performance and sustainability. With the support of AI, its future holds exciting potential for shaping more innovative and efficient spaces.

As designers continue integrating Generative AI into various stages of the design process, its impact on the industry becomes beneficial and inevitable. However, at this point, research suggests that Generative AI is most effective when used in collaboration with human decision-makers rather than in a fully automated design process. Generative AI allows designers, clients, and stakeholders to focus on creative tasks—refining ideas, optimising solutions, and producing both efficient and deeply human-centred designs—while reducing the repetitive tasks that stifle creativity.  It offers significant advantages, from boosting creativity to saving time and costs. Automated workflows eliminate mundane tasks, enabling designers to concentrate on refining their vision. AI-generated previews enhance client collaboration by offering multiple design options that can be easily tweaked, streamlining the approval process. Tools like Autodesk’s Dreamcatcher and Spacemaker generate performance-driven solutions. They allow designers to input their requirements and receive AI-optimised designs tailored to their needs. Platforms such as Midjourney and DALL·E support rapid visualisation during early concept stages. Yet despite these benefits, Generative AI has its limitations. It lacks the emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity that human designers bring to storytelling and personal expression. Its effectiveness also depends heavily on the quality of the data it is trained on—biased or poor data can lead to uninspired or impractical results. For this reason, it remains essential for designers to guide AI, rather than rely on it entirely.

There are also ethical concerns regarding AI-generated content, particularly around intellectual property. Who owns an AI-generated design? The architect who provided the input or the software that generated it? These questions remain largely unresolved, adding another layer of complexity to AI’s integration into the design world. Despite these challenges, the future of generative AI in design looks incredibly promising. The industry already sees advancements in AI-driven augmented reality, automated construction, and smart city planning. AI is set to play an even more significant role in urban development, helping create more sustainable and efficient spaces for the future.

While Generative AI won’t replace architects and interior designers, it’s becoming an indispensable tool that enhances their capabilities. By embracing AI as a collaborator rather than a competitor, the design industry can push boundaries, experiment with bold new ideas, and create more innovative, functional, and sustainable spaces.