Architectural Creation Research Articles

Silo buildings: A new image in the urban landscape

Silo buildings, traditionally used for storing bulk commodities such as grain, cement, and seeds, have become emblematic of industrial heritage while increasingly facing obsolescence in modern cities. Their cylindrical forms, dictated initially by utilitarian priorities, have made them prominent landmarks in urban and rural landscapes. With advancements in agricultural technology, shifts in logistics, and urban expansion, many silos lost their primary functions, leading to their abandonment or demolition. Recognizing the cultural, historical, and architectural significance of these structures, this study examines the potential of adaptive reuse—mainly through façade modifications and structural alterations—to transform silo buildings into vibrant elements of the contemporary urban fabric. A qualitative multiple-case study methodology was adopted to analyze four exemplary projects: Portland Towers, The Silo, Gemini Residence in Copenhagen, and Sugar City in Amsterdam. Data collection involved the review of architectural documentation, historical records, and visual media, with site observations and, where possible, stakeholder interviews. This approach enabled an in-depth exploration of the strategies employed to convert monumental, monolithic silos into fully functional environments. Central to these transformations were façade interventions—such as the introduction of windows, balconies, and new cladding materials—that humanized previously austere exteriors and improved interior light and ventilation. Structural additions and interior reconfigurations were also critical, helping silo buildings comply with modern building standards and accommodate a range of new functions, including offices, residences, and cultural venues. Findings highlight how carefully balanced preservation and innovation can conserve industrial authenticity while meeting contemporary urban needs. These projects illustrate how adaptive reuse revitalizes obsolete buildings and contributes to urban regeneration by attracting economic investment, enhancing local identity, and promoting sustainability through the conservation of embodied energy. Moreover, preserving a silo’s cylindrical core while introducing modern features fosters a sense of continuity between past and present, reinforcing communal memory. Ultimately, the case studies underscore adaptive reuse as a practical, culturally sensitive pathway for reimagining silo buildings—one that merges historical significance, architectural creativity, and sustainable development to produce dynamic new landmarks in evolving urban landscapes.

Genius Loci in Adaptive Reuse: Bank Museums in Ankara

Adaptive reuse, one of the architectural conservation interventions, involves the adaptation of existing buildings for new or ongoing functions while balancing their cultural significance and contemporary requirements. This strategy, consistent with sustainability goals, is not only about preserving cultural heritage but also about providing ecologic and economic interests. Apart from other forms of interventions, adaptive reuse praxis particularly emphasises the presence of the spirit of place. Therefore, beyond its sustainability intentions, the continuity of intangible elements that are an integral part of the genius loci is crucial in the case of adaptive reuse. An ancient Latin expression, “genius loci”, also known as “the spirit of place”, has become a significant factor of creativity and continuity in contemporary architecture and conservation. Based on the bond between place and people, the spirit of place is the phenomenon of the holistic perception of a place's tangible and intangible elements. Within this context, this study intends to identify the stages of perceiving genius loci in order to evaluate the success of adaptive reuse praxis. This hypothetical algorithm of sensory experience, remembrance, interpretation and narration is analysed through two case studies, such as the General Headquarters of Ziraat Bank and İşbank, both among the first public buildings built in the new capital of the Turkish Republic, Ankara.

Advanced Technologies in Creative Architectural Design: A Systematic Review

The application of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and immersive technologies, in architectural design has played a pivotal role in enhancing design quality, fostering creativity, and improving integration capabilities. These technologies allowed architects to create designs that are efficient, sustainable, and responsive to contemporary needs. However, comprehensive literature reviews examining their impact on creative architectural design remain limited. This study systematically reviewed the application of advanced technologies in creative architectural design to uncover their transformative influence. A total of peer‐reviewed journal articles published in the last 5 years were selected from four major databases. The literature was categorized into four thematic dimensions: human beings, environmental factors, technology use, and design methods. The methodologies, contributions, and limitations of the reviewed studies were analyzed. Additionally, the principle of “more‐than‐human design” was emphasized to highlight the significance of advanced technologies in architectural creativity. Finally, potential use cases of technological applications were explored, alongside key challenges and emerging opportunities for future research.

Women on Walls: Projection, Anonymity, Envy, and Eileen Gray

Abstract This paper studies a little known, newly surfaced collage made by the early-twentieth-century architect and designer Eileen Gray. I am interested in Gray's references to racialized femininity in this work, especially its invocation of Josephine Baker, and what this might tell us about the collage as a form of citational “cutting” and its ethics. I bring to bear on Gray's collage two other, seemingly separate stories, each with its own secrets and surprising revelations—Melanie Klein's work on reparation and the creative impulse, on the one hand, and Le Corbusier's fraught relationship to Gray's architectural creation E-1027 on the other—and trace how the specters of female creativity, Baker, and racialized femininity haunt all three. By triangulating Gray, Le Corbusier, and Klein, we see not only the ghosts of women of color in the machines of modernist innovation but also how the tensions of fame, anonymity, envy, and projection (congealed through the figure of the Black woman) fuel the theorizations of the artist, the architect, and the analyst.

Generating conceptual landscape design via text-to-image generative AI model

This study explores the integration of text-to-image generative AI, particularly Stable Diffusion, in conjunction with ControlNet and LoRA models in conceptual landscape design. Traditional methods in landscape design are often time-consuming and limited by the designer’s individual creativity, also often lacking efficiency in the exploration of diverse design solutions. By leveraging AI tools, we demonstrate a workflow that efficiently generates detailed and visually coherent landscape designs, including natural parks, city plazas, and courtyard gardens. Through both qualitative and quantitative evaluations, our results indicate that fine-tuned models produce superior designs compared to non-fine-tuned models, maintaining spatial consistency, control over scale, and relevant landscape elements. This research advances the efficiency of conceptual design processes and underscores the potential of AI in enhancing creativity and innovation in landscape architecture.

Sustainability of the Malay Landscape Aesthetic Model in Urban Design: Case Studies of Kota Tinggi, Kuala Kangsar, and Kota Bharu

This study examines the application of Malay cultural landscape aesthetic elements in the context of contemporary urban development, focusing on Kota Tinggi, Kuala Kangsar, and Kota Bharu. The main issue of this study is the pressure of urbanization and modernization that threatens the sustainability of traditional elements such as gateways, gardens, and mosques, which are crucial for cultural identity and fulfilling the needs of modern society. The primary objective of this study is to identify the similarities and differences in the application of aesthetic elements among these three cities and analyze how these elements meet the needs of society in terms of biological, cultural, emotional, intellectual, and religious aspects. This study employs a qualitative approach using a multiple case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observations, and document analysis, focusing on five key principles: biological needs, cultural development, intellectual creativity, emotional well-being, and religious fulfillment. Research instruments include checklists and interview guides based on sustainability principles. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach to identify patterns in the application of traditional elements in the three cities. The findings reveal that traditional elements such as rivers, gardens, and mosques continue to play a significant role but have been adapted to modern technologies. For example, the protective functions of traditional city have been replaced with digital security systems, while cultural and religious elements such as palaces and mosques continue to be symbols of identity. The study also discovered that creativity in architecture and traditional arts ensures these elements stay relevant to modern society couple with strategic integration and modern elements. This study thus, provides implications for urban planners and policymakers in preserving cultural values while addressing the current needs of society.

생성형 AI를 활용한 라이프스타일 호텔 로비 공간 바이오필릭 디자인에 시각화 관한 연구 - 자연의 간접 경험 속성을 중심으로

With the accumulation of data and advancements in algorithms in the 21st century, artificial intelligence has become an essential tool for enhancing creativity and efficiency in architecture and spatial design. The aim of this study is to visualize indirect natural experiences through biophilic design in lifestyle hotel lobbies using artificial intelligence, thereby exploring diverse possibilities during the early stages of the design process to enhance efficiency. This study specifically focuses on lifestyle hotel lobbies that resonate with the MZ generation. It examines methods for expressing indirect natural experience attributes of biophilic design and visualizes these through Stable Diffusion. The research methodology involves a review of academic literature to understand biophilic design and artificial intelligence, followed by the application of Stable Diffusion to visualize biophilic design in hotel lobby spaces. The results generated were analyzed to propose potential application strategies. In the AI-generated visualization of the hotel lobby, biophilic design was studied based on four indirect attributes: natural images, materials, colors, forms, and imitations. It is expected that advanced fine-tuning through Stable Diffusion will improve the visual representation of these natural elements.

Architecture and Videogame, The Spatial Connectivity and Digital Twinning

This research examines the evolving relationship between advanced computerization in video games and architectural design. It traces gaming development from arcade systems to 2D and 3D perspectives, each representing different visual experience models of their eras. By analyzing technological advances in gaming, the study explores how evolving equipment has transformed players’ perceptual experiences, fostering innovative reading approaches. The investigation emphasizes the role of advanced computer systems in upgrading game visuals to achieve heightened realism or hyperrealism. The digitalization of architectural spaces, developed through virtual experiences, challenges traditional boundaries and promotes new perspectives. This transformation emphasizes the interplay between architectural design and the video game industry. Designing virtual spaces and interiors in video games resembles architectural spatial realization. The theoretical framework used in generating virtual spaces in video games could serve as a basis in design of actual spaces. This research explores architectural projects through the lens of video game media, emphasizing how mechanisms and concepts from gaming technology connect with and enhance architectural creativity. It investigates how the dynamics of spatial perception in virtual reality could enrich real-world architectural design. Supported by case studies of three completed public projects, the study focuses on human sensory experiences through the theoretical emphasis between designing architectural spaces in relation to designing videogame spaces.

TRAINING STUDENTS IN ARCHITECTURE IN THE DIGITAL AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ERA

Architecture is one of the technical fields with specific scientific, aesthetic, and social characteristics. The process of training in architecture is closely linked to technological development with the support of computers and design software. In the digital age and artificial intelligence technology, architectural design thinking and methods have changed a lot. With the development of science and technology, computers not only support the design of technical drawings but also affect the architectural creation process, especially artificial intelligence technology. In particular, the requirements for architectural aesthetics in the new era do not stop at works with simple shapes but require works with architectural shapes and the ability to calculate microclimate at a very complex level (parametric design works). Therefore, in the training of architecture majors at universities in Vietnam, adjustments must be made to suit the current trend of technological development. Keywords: Architecture students; digital age; artificial intelligence; parametric design; modern architecture

Expanding Reality and Interactive Systems: New Paths to Hybrid Design Shaping the Future of Architectural Designs

With the rapid evolution of information technology, Extended reality (XR) technology and interactive solutions play an indispensable driving force in contemporary architectural design innovation. The purpose of this article is to examine how XR technology and its integration with interactive interfaces can reshape the forward trajectory of future architectural artistic visions. The initial chapter elaborates the theoretical framework of XR and traces its historical evolution. Subsequent chapters point to multiple practices of interactive systems in the design of built environments, especially the utility of touch interfaces, hand motion recognition, and voice-controlled operations. We then delve into the deep integration of XR and interactive systems to illustrate how these cutting-edge tools work in tandem, further demonstrating their potential to improve design quality and engineering efficiency. In the following part, we use case analysis and empirical design to confirm the function of XR technology and interactive solutions in real design situations. The final discussion focuses on the obstacles to the implementation of these advanced technologies and the future trends they portend. The research results of this paper not only bring novel insights and concepts to the field of architectural creativity, but also contribute substantial insights to the continuous evolution and optimization of related technologies.

Creativity in architecture: expressing conceptual foundations in sketch model experimentation

Creativity in architecture: expressing conceptual foundations in sketch model experimentation

Непрерывность развития архитектурного образа города

The problem of continuous development of the urban environment brings to mind the historical process of building development and the phased formation of the city image. The tasks dictated by ethical and legal restrictions when working in the historical environment are increasingly in conflict with traditional architectural creativity. This fact makes us think about the possibilities of further development of the image of the city.

Advancing Architectural Design Through Generative Adversarial Network Deep Learning Technology

Recent advancements in deep learning have popularized Generative Adversarial Networks for image generation. This study investigates integrating Generative Adversarial Networks technology into architectural design to empower architects in creating diverse, innovative, and practical designs. By analyzing architectural research, deep learning theory, and practical Generative Adversarial Networks applications, we substantiate the feasibility of using Generative Adversarial Networks for architectural design optimization. The generated architectural images exhibit significant diversity, innovation, and practicality, inspiring architects with numerous design possibilities. Overall, Generative Adversarial Networks technology not only expands design methodologies but also stimulates groundbreaking innovation in architectural practice. As technology progresses, Generative Adversarial Networks-based architectural design optimization shows promising potential for widespread adoption, heralding a new era of creativity and efficiency in architecture.

Authorship, co-authorship, and creativity in architecture. Drawing, notation and representation

The notion of authorship in architecture has been connected to the prominence of drawing as an autographic record of the design process since the Renaissance. The conditions and limits considering the co-authorship of a work are analyzed and a classification is proposed in relation to the different ways of considering authorship within the complex process of architectural production when several actors are involved. The role of creativity in this process is also studied regarding the context of the disciplinary past. Finally, we analyze the progressive fading of authorship concerning this graphic record of the process with the emergence of new technologies or the progressive transdisciplinary specialization that spurs the consideration of other kinds of non-graphic relationships between author and work.

Computational creativity issues in generative design and digital fabrication of complex 3D meshes

This article describes generative algorithms and Digital Fabrication techniques with organic materials to create complex 3D objects for industrial design, sculpture, and architecture. Experimental artistic production using these algorithms concluded with a solution based on programmable meshes, which use identifiers to control the topological characteristics of vertices during the modeling process. On the other hand, the hybridization of analog and digital techniques was explored through fabrication. Comparing artistic production and hybrid techniques with generative AI, we will discuss topics of Computational Creativity in art, industrial design, and architecture. The programmable meshes solution, combined with hybrid fabrication processes, enables an incredible variety of complex forms, stimulates artistic creativity, and provides flexible feedback to bypass some Digital Fabrication issues. Our findings also elucidate the importance of original technology development and cultural identity in fostering creative and culturally inclusive technologies for art and education.

Research on Architectural Design Based on Stable Diffusion

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, its application in the field of architectural design has gradually become a research hotspot. In particular, Stable Diffusion technology shows its unique advantages and potential in the production of architectural renderings, which has attracted wide attention. In this paper, the application of Stable Diffusion technology in architectural creation is deeply discussed, aiming at providing new perspectives and ideas for architectural design and promoting the innovation and development of architectural design process.

The benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence image generators for architectural ideation: Study of an alternative human-machine co-creation exchange based on sketch recognition

This paper deals with creative co-design between human and machine. It presents an alternative design method based on an emerging technology of sketch interpretation to support co-creation and collaborative creativity in architecture. This technology embraces spontaneity in design by generating inspirational images linked to the architect’s sketches. Our research aims to determine the benefits and challenges of this alternative instrumentation. We are developing a Wizard of Oz test method by immersing several designers in a studio instrumented by this human-machine co-creation technology. We analyze quantitatively and qualitatively the single-designer ideation activity of these subjects. We then investigate the integration of this co-creation instrumentation within the framework of a team design involving several architects. This confirms known benefits such as speeding-up and freeing-up of ideation and highlights the need for designers to evaluate sketched ideas by means of images simulating their real-life rendering, as well as the need for inspiration to materialize the premises of ideas that are still vague.

The Concept of Difference in Architecture: Transpositions Between Insides and Outsides

Postmodernity unhorsed the subject as powerful creator of life, showing not only that it is not in direct correspondence with the world, but furthermore that it is not even in control of itself. In this context, philosophy introduced an understanding of the world based on the concept of difference. Specifically, structuralism acknowledged difference as a poetics of ambiguity in the service of communication, while poststructulalism proclaimed difference as the impossibility of meaning. In this paper, we critically interpret these approaches in reference to the criterion of interiority/exteriority. Difference under structuralism introduces meaning as totally inside constructed, although towards outside operating. The figurative internalization of the postmodern architecture presents exactly the disconnection of meaning-making processes from the social context and their orientation towards consumption’s external experience. In addition, under the poststructuralist conception of difference the meaning lies exclusively outside and the corresponding trends of architectural creation, while in a way approximating freedom, seem also to contribute to a cultural disempowerment of critical ways of life and thinking. In distance both from the subject’s restriction inside and its abandonment in the tragedy of the outside, we suggest a Bakhtinian conception of difference which allows a creative continuous motion between interiority and exteriority, by both decomposing and producing meaning, always within the conflictual reality. In this direction, architecture may call for a spatial ethos of justice, a carnival polyphonic space of open boundaries between insides and outsides, which, although retaining their identities, they do not construct impenetrable territories as, in a sense, they are always at the critical limit.

Rapid pedestrian‐level wind field prediction for early‐stage design using Pareto‐optimized convolutional neural networks

AbstractTraditional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods used for wind field prediction can be time‐consuming, limiting architectural creativity in the early‐stage design process. Deep learning models have the potential to significantly speed up wind field prediction. This work introduces a convolutional neural network (CNN) approach based on the U‐Net architecture, to rapidly predict wind in simplified urban environments, representative of early‐stage design. The process of generating a wind field prediction at pedestrian level is reformulated from a 3D CFD simulation into a 2D image‐to‐image translation task, using the projected building heights as input. Testing on standard consumer hardware shows that our model can efficiently predict wind velocities in urban settings in less than 1 ms. Further tests on different configurations of the model, combined with a Pareto front analysis, helped identify the trade‐off between accuracy and computational efficiency. The fastest configuration is close to seven times faster, while having a relative loss, which is 1.8 times higher than the most accurate configuration. This CNN‐based approach provides a fast and efficient method for pedestrian wind comfort (PWC) analysis, potentially aiding in more efficient urban design processes.

Exploring the Impact of Ai on Architectural Creativity and Efficiency

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the architectural industry, enhancing both creativity and efficiency. This study explores AI's impact on construction practice, aiming to clarify its role in enhancing creative efficiency and streamlining operations. Through a literature review, it examines AI's transformative effects on design processes and key tools for integration into the industry. The research focuses on AI's role in enhancing architectural creativity and efficiency, using real-life case studies to illustrate its benefits. It also explores how AI streamlines operations, improves resource utilization and accelerates project timelines. By highlighting dominant AI tools used in architecture, the study emphasizes their ability to enhance creativity, streamline design iterations, and facilitate team collaboration. Ultimately, this research contributes to understanding the dynamic relationship between AI and architectural practice, inspiring future innovations for a more efficient and sustainable industry. This study addresses the ongoing debate on whether AI is enhancing or depleting architectural creativity and efficiency.