AI in architecture: paving the way for sustainable construction

Employing the same motto as the Architecture Biennale 2025: “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.”, last week Prof. Jan R. Krause from Bochum University of Applied Sciences opened the 11th NEXT Expert Forum on the topic of Artificial Intelligence. The thematic framework of the event revolved around curator Carlo Ratti’s aspiration that artificial intelligence should become a key resource for dealing with the climate crisis, and in building sustainably.

In the subsequent presentation Sabine Plagemann, member of the management board, explained how artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into daily work processes at schneider+schumacher. To promote the use of AI, schneider+ Schumacher set up an internal working group to facilitate discussion on the topic and to drive forward the testing of new AI-supported systems. Nowadays in the office, AI primarily takes on administrative tasks, generating more space for creative design work. At the same time, as Sabine Plagemann emphasised, AI is increasingly being used in all phases of architectural planning. Text-based AI systems such as ChatGPT or BauGPT can provide support in all phases of drafting protocol, writing explanatory texts or answering planning questions. During the design process, AI contributes to the development of ideas and forms. For example, detailed images or 3D models can be created from texts or sketches, allowing variants to be visualised. Tools such as Grasshopper and Rhino allow the input of urban planning parameters and automatically check clearance areas. In terms of sustainability, AI enables more resource- and space-efficient planning and can easily perform environmental analyses. In this respect, sun and wind studies help to adapt buildings to changing climatic conditions.

schneider+schumacher is also active in research on AI. As a member of the ZIM-funded innovation network ‘AI in Construction Planning,’ we are working to make cross-trade construction planning more efficient and sustainable with the help of AI.

Sabine Plagemann concluded her presentation by saying that AI should be understood not a designer, but as an assistant. ‘The role of architects is returning to the essentials: designing buildings that are durable and beautiful!’

Photos: mediashots

Photo top right: Prof. Jan R. Krause, Sabine Plagemann, Dominik Zausinger, Prof. Ulrich Blum, Clemens Lindner and Ernst von Stegmann (from left to right)