Archinect - News

What skills are required for a career in architectural visualization?

2024-11-13T10:00:00-05:00

Following our previous look at an opening for Healthcare Planners at Flad Architects, we are using this week’s edition of our Job Highlights series to explore open roles on Archinect Jobs for visualization positions at Rafael Viñoly Architects and Brandon Architects.

Rafael Viñoly Architects is seeking a Visualization Designer to join their New York studio, requiring an individual to create “high-quality digital imagery, including photorealistic CGI renderings, rendered plans, elevations, and/or axonometric drawings for design presentations.” Meanwhile, Brandon Architects seeks a 3D Render Artist to support the team “pushing the boundaries of luxury living” by managing their visualization projects.

Related on Archinect: Rafael Viñoly Architects reveals first Canadian project in Toronto. Rendering courtesy Binyan and Madison Group

Why the role interests us

As our Archinect In-Depth: Visualization series continues, the open roles at Rafael Viñoly Architects and Brandon Architects offe...

New version of sustainable design tool Tally to launch in 2025

2024-11-05T11:26:00-05:00

Building Transparency has announced the development of Tally® 2.0 in partnership with KieranTimberlake. This updated version of the LCA tool aims to enhance the building industry’s capacity to evaluate and reduce the environmental impacts of materials and design choices.

The original Tally tool was launched in 2013 by KieranTimberlake, who began developing the tool in 2008. In 2021, we included Tally as part of our deep dive into the various climate-orientated architecture software systems developed by architects and designers.

Tally was the first LCA application allowing designers to assess the environmental footprint of projects within Revit. It has since been adopted by nearly 3,500 users in the architecture, engineering, and construction.

Related on Archinect: Meet the Architects Designing Software to Fight Climate Change. Image: Screenshot from CLIMATE SCOUT, an app created by CallisonRTKL

Building upon the success of its predecessor, Tally 2.0 will introduce new features that p...

Global BIM market expected to more than triple to $26.4B over the next decade

2024-07-25T14:00:00-04:00

A new report released by the market research company Prophecy Market Insights on the global market for BIM software has predicted substantial growth by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.3% over the next decade, reaching a total valuation of $26.4 billion by 2034.

Key market players like Autodesk have been proactive in their embrace of the new revolution in technologies such as generative AI and virtual reality. A rise in the use of the software by construction contractors is another factor in the expected market expansion.

As it stands, the current valuation for BIM design software is estimated to be around $8.45 billion worldwide.

Grimshaw launches new building decarbonization platform called Minoro

2024-07-15T12:18:00-04:00

UK mainstay Grimshaw has announced the launch of a new online platform that will help accelerate the decarbonization of buildings. It follows a two-year development phase that relied on the support of 20 other industry organizations, including the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, RIBA, Architecture 2030, and the World Green Building Council.

Minoro is a free resource that provides links and access to more than 1,000 "policies, guidance and methodologies" related to decarbonization. The firm says this centralization enables design teams and other stakeholders to set targets and develop clear, informed actions across every stage of the building's life cycle.

Related Feature on Archinect: The U.S. Just Defined a Zero Emissions Building: Is It Enough?

Paul Toyne, the Sustainability Lead at Grimshaw, promised that it "brings, for the first time, all the key information to help tackle carbon in our buildings together in one place, but will also, importantly, bring team...

Leading Architectural Design, Render Tool Free for Students, Educators

2024-07-15T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by D5 Render

In today's fast-evolving architectural design landscape, advanced tools like D5 Render are essential. This leading software offers powerful real-time rendering, built-in AI capabilities, extensive asset library, and high-quality image/animation renderings, now free for students and educators to enhance their skills and innovate. Over 1,600 universities from around the globe have used D5 in their academic research. If you are interested, don't hesitate to apply for the D5 educational license for free.

Exploring D5's Key Features

D5 Render's appeal lies in its comprehensive features, catering to users across various disciplines. Here are some standout features that make it an invaluable tool for architectural design:

Real-Time Rendering with Livesync

D5 Render brings real-time ray tracing to major BIM and CAD applications such as SketchUp, 3ds Max, Rhino, and Revit, helping architects create realistic simulations of materials, landscapes, and l...

Architects develop new AI visualization tool for architectural rendering

2024-07-03T06:23:00-04:00

Gendo, a new AI visualization platform, has launched today following a $1.1 million investment into the product created by London-based architectural designer George Proud with the help of his colleague and software engineer Will Jones.

The platform claims to convert 2D drawings, sketches, or text-based inputs into life-like visualizations.

Image courtesy Gendo

Zaha Hadid Architects, David Chipperfield Architects, and Benoy are among the beta testers of the software. It is being promoted as a way for firms to reduce costs and labor and gain an advantage in project and design competitions.

George Proud stated that, unlike mainstream generative image platforms such as Midjourney and DALL-E, Gendo allows generated visualizations to be edited, offering architects greater detail and precision.

The announcement follows closely last week's launch of another AI-driven platform called Treasury.

62% of A&E firms report using artificial intelligence increased efficiency, according to new Deltek study

2024-05-10T18:28:00-04:00

Statistics revealed in the latest Deltek Clarity Architecture & Engineering Industry Study have indicated wide optimism about the use of AI technology, even as most firms struggle to determine where and how to apply emerging trends in the face of prevailing economic headwinds.

According to the 45th annual report, 62% of all 650 surveyed A&E respondents across the United States and Canada have successfully begun using AI to augment their daily operations. Only 20% of firms now report at least three-quarters of their project leadership teams as possessing the proper project management training to best utilize such tools, with another 44% reporting insufficient time to invest in skill-based learning. Other leading challenges include prioritizing applicable trends and the cost of technology.

The findings add to a body of recent valuable industry trends reporting, including last month’s Autodesk study which stated that 76% of all AEC professionals now feel confident about incorporating ...

Autodesk introduces experimental AI 3D shape generator Project Bernini

2024-05-09T13:53:00-04:00

Autodesk has just announced the development of a new experimental generative AI design tool called Project Bernini, the latest addition to its Autodesk AI inventory for industry professionals and design students in every field.

Project Bernini can reportedly be used to generate complex and unique functional geometric shapes for 3D modeling via text prompts, 2D images, voxels, and point clouds. The model was trained on a range of over ten million different shapes using research from the Autodesk AI Lab in collaboration with the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Its potential will become even more considerable once trained on larger professional datasets after the product is made publicly available.

Demonstration video for Project Bernini. Video courtesy Autodesk/YouTube.

Autodesk says: “If trained on buildings, the models could generate geometrically rigorous creative designs and inspire a new generation of buildings and architects. If trained on video game character models or fanta...

Major uptake in artificial intelligence use across creative industries, Autodesk survey finds

2024-04-10T11:53:00-04:00

Autodesk has released a report on the state of digitization and technological adoption across creative industries. The 2024 State of Design & Make Report found that companies see artificial intelligence “as a current tool rather than a futuristic pipe dream.”

The report’s findings were derived from survey results of 5,400 industry companies and figures across architecture, engineering, construction, design, manufacturing, media, and entertainment. Among the findings was a high level of optimism, with 73% of companies believing they were prepared to handle unforeseen economic or geopolitical changes.

76% of professionals said they trust AI in their industry, with application areas including productivity and sustainability. “More than half of companies say they are approaching or have already achieved their goal of incorporating AI,” Autodesk said about the report findings. “While AI adoption is high, we still have a long way to go to maximize AI’s potential.”

Related on Archinect: Au...

Autodesk develops AI-powered embodied carbon tool for early-stage design

2024-04-03T11:39:00-04:00

Autodesk has developed an embodied carbon analysis tool to be integrated into the software maker’s AI-driven Forma application.

Powered by the C.Scale data model developed by U.S.-based architecture firm EHDD, the tool “enables designers to better understand the carbon impacts from primary material choices and building form during site feasibility and massing studies at the beginning of a project planning process,” Autodesk says.

Image credit: Autodesk

The tool allows architects working in Forma to subject their early design concept to an AI-powered analysis that can evaluate design concepts and iterate toward reducing carbon emissions.

Located in the ‘analysis’ tab in the Forma web application, the analysis allows users to define site-wide analytical properties as well as those specific to individual buildings. Parameters that can be specified include building function, structural system, and envelope factors such as cladding and window-to-wall ratio.

Image credit: Autodesk

Accordi...

Looking back at our in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence in 2023

2023-12-20T08:00:00-05:00

One of Archinect’s most significant editorial undertakings of 2023 was our Archinect In Depth: Artificial Intelligence series. Across the year, we spoke with over 30 experts in the field, producing dozens of interviews and features alongside almost 50 news stories covering the hyper-fast pace of progress emerging from the AI community.

The result is an all-encompassing, rigorous, and diverse collection of perspectives and reflections on what artificial means for the future of architects, architectural practice, and the architectural profession, along topics including ethics, labor, inequality, skills, and licensure.

Explore further insights on Archinect's leading coverage of architecture's relationship with artificial intelligence across 2023 below.

Conversations across the intersection of AI and architecture

Behnaz Farahi. Image credit: Behnaz Farahi

'The Notion of AI as a Form of Augmentation or Enhancement Is Fascinating to Me'; A Conversation with Behnaz Farahi

In May, we spoke ...

Autodesk launches VR tool for reviewing BIM models with Workshop XR

2023-11-16T19:24:00-05:00

Autodesk has unveiled a virtual reality tool described as an “immersive design review experience for the AEC industry.” Named Autodesk Workshop XR, the tool offers multiple users the ability to explore design models in real-time using Meta virtual headsets, including abilities to flag and update issue items.

“Workshop XR will transform how architects and building engineers plan and review projects,” said Nicolas Fonta, Senior Director & General Manager, XR at Autodesk, in a statement. “Most building projects that go over budget do so because issues are discovered once construction has begun. We’ve heard many customers share the challenges of reviewing designs across dispersed teams.”

Image credit: Autodesk

In the Workshop XR environment, multiple users will be able to track issues, catch errors, and explore working BIM models linked to the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). “With automatically connected data from ACC, no-prep model loading, and synced issue tracking, Workshop XR make...

Rayon unveils Norman Foster-backed design tool for developing architectural plans

2023-09-27T09:00:00-04:00

Architectural software developers Rayon have launched a new design tool to “enable seamless collaboration across AEC industries.” The software, which shares its company’s name and is backed by funders including Norman Foster, is a browser-based tool that allows teams to collaborate on 2D floor plans in real-time.

Video credit: Rayon

Launching out of beta today, the Rayon tool was created to “end the dominance of legacy software in AEC.” While noting that such tools were groundbreaking when launched, the company argues that the high-performance specifications and licensing costs required for their use present a barrier to collaboration. “As a result, only using PDFs to share files makes it hard for professionals to transmit and share data, while the industry remains captive due to proprietary file formats,” the company explains.

Image credit: Rayon

As a result, Rayon supports filetypes such as images, PDFs, DWGs, and DWFs, and includes drawing, annotation, layout, and styling featur...

Stability AI launches free sketch-to-image tool

2023-07-17T13:32:00-04:00

AI developers Stability AI have announced the release of Stable Doodle, a sketch-to-image tool that “converts a simple drawing into a dynamic image, providing limitless imaging possibilities to a range of professionals and hobbyists.”

Accessible through Stability AI’s Clipdrop platform, Stable Doodle translates sketches drawn directly into its interface and currently does not support hand-drawn sketches being uploaded to the platform. Having drawn a sketch, users can enter a supporting text prompt to explain the scene, as well as select preferred styles including photographic reality and comic book art.

“Stable Doodle is geared to both professionals and novices, regardless of their familiarity with AI tools,” Stability AI explained in a blog post. “With Stable Doodle, anyone with basic drawing skills and online access can generate high-quality original images in seconds.”

Stable Doodle joins other web-based, AI-driven tools in Stability AI’s portfolio. The company is also the creat...

'Maurice's Last Shift,' Top Prize winner in Archinect's Generative Futures: An AI + Architecture Storytelling Challenge

2023-07-11T12:00:00-04:00

Maurice's Last Shift by Tim Papienski

Just after dawn, as light rain pattered down on the tarps of the construction site, Maurice stepped gently, trying not to land in the mud. As he passed through the guarded entrance, the banner above proudly proclaimed “847 days without a workplace accident.” Mounted on a pole below, was the ever-present red Stop Work button.

Maurice was a Sensor Jockey. Led a crew of them, in fact. He was retiring after 40 years, and today was his last shift. Maurice has spent his entire working life on jobsites such as this—big, sprawling constructions. He knew everything a person could know.

The jobsite was a repurpose of an abandoned office complex, a mix of apartments, businesses and “Temps.” Maurice headed to the end of the site, the final section block of Temps being printed. The great gantry had been rolled into place, the concrete extruder paused dramatically, like a monk about to illuminate the edges of a medieval bible.

Nobody really knew what wa...

'The Last Flesh and Blood Architect,' Honorable Mention in Archinect's Generative Futures: An AI + Architecture Storytelling Challenge

2023-07-11T12:00:00-04:00

The Last Flesh and Blood Architect by Juan Manuel Prieto

Human-designed and built architecture was dying out. Hans knew this well, for he had followed it all his days, and he clung to it with a love greater than his need. Many times, he had been urged to give up his old-fashioned ways and join the new order of things, where all was done by the cunning devices of the Machine-mind. But he would shake his head and answer that he was content with his own work, and that he could do better than any machine. But this was only half the truth, for he also felt such pride and joy in his work that nothing else could give him. And he feared the day when it would be no more, when the last of his kind would be swept away by the tide of progress.

After months of idleness and nearing the brink of bankruptcy, fortune finally smiled upon Hans. He encountered a group of visionary investors who shared his passion for human touch, for that spark of life in their creations. They presented him with an opp...

'Ignorance to navigate the maelstrom,' Honorable Mention in Archinect's Generative Futures: An AI + Architecture Storytelling Challenge

2023-07-11T12:00:00-04:00

Ignorance to navigate the maelstrom by Mel Lewis

The Earth is a theme park, fully subdued to oblige us… and well our literate animal friends.

Its visual primal beauty, reconstructed from the archeological suggestions of three hundred million years ago, fed into the computer to generate a painted “wilderness” landscape. A museum in total where each printed vegetation is accompanied by a label indicating its year, description, cost, and source. Each biological object is carefully monitored; each dynamic flow of water analyzed; each crop plucked at its opportune moment.

Buildings are now part of a rendered surroundings, where architecture and biology are so intertwined that they can be viewed as a single unified field of experience. Everything is nodes in a network to receive and deliver information, a central nervous system for the planet - wrestling the rhythms of nature.

“Organic interdependence means that disruption of any part of the organism can prove fatal to the whole,” remar...

'Blueprints of Belonging: Architecture in the Age of AI,' Honorable Mention in Archinect's Generative Futures: An AI + Architecture Storytelling Challenge

2023-07-11T12:00:00-04:00

Blueprints of Belonging: Architecture in the Age of AI by Kyle Branchesi

Welcome to the journey of Maria, a young architect, and her AI muse, Calida. Together, they navigate the complex urban landscape of Los Angeles, grappling with a mission far beyond merely building structures. Their quest is to reweave the vibrant cultural tapestry of the city, strained and frayed by relentless forces of gentrification and global homogenization. This is a story about the future of architecture, where AI doesn't replace human creativity but collaborates with it, embracing the community's voice and preserving its rich cultural heritage. This narrative presents a utopian vision of AI as an enabler, an ally, and a force that transforms the architectural profession into a champion of diversity. Explore how the alliance between human sensitivity and AI efficiency can reshape our cities, fostering a built environment that reflects and respects its inhabitants.

Open Air Dialogue: As the sun dips below t...

'Dystopian Dreams and Gigabyte Gleams,' Honorable Mention in Archinect's Generative Futures: An AI + Architecture Storytelling Challenge

2023-07-11T12:00:00-04:00

Dystopian Dreams and Gigabyte Gleams by Mason Miles

Forming a representation of a nature-infused city of the future, hybridizing optimism and entropy, the project lends a satirical outlook on the AI city. The images are each accompanied by a correlating haiku, prodding at what the future may hold while providing space for the viewers' imagination to run free.