Project Summary: 

This research project explores the opportunities of using Text-to-image Generative Artificial Intelligence tools (GenAI) to support the establishment and management of client-architect relationships. Intended outcomes of this research project include the development of an Architectural Design Model and Toolkit for complementing visualisation tendencies to support client-architect dialogue efficiency with Text-to-image GenAI tools. 

This toolkit is because timely feedback loops between architects and clients are foundational to iterative architectural design processes. However, the language used between architects and clients can be ambiguous and often lead to errors later in the design process. Text-to-image GenAI has eased the instant translation of ordinary text into sophisticated visualisations. Architects are now better supported to visualise large volumes of ideas in a more efficient and timely manner. Clients can now engage in the process of visualisation. Today, there remains a call for further reflections on the implications of Text-to-image GenAI tools among individuals in design and in the broader community.  

Research to date has revealed shared visualisation tendencies in concept reframing, additive ideating, and divergent-convergent preference developing among architects and non-design individuals. However, no particular tendency was observed to dominate one group over another. Future works will continue to develop a toolkit of design interventions to leverage and enhance the observed visualisation tendencies observed for supporting early establishment and management of client-architect relationships.