The architecture and design world is buzzing right now. If you believe the endless stream of online videos, artificial intelligence is about to do everything for us—from the first conceptual sketch to the final cost breakdown. Honestly, after watching some of those flawless, hyper-speed demonstrations, I’m starting to think the videos themselves are generated by AI.
The hype is intoxicating, but the reality on the ground—where rigorous documentation, exact measurements, and building codes actually matter—is far more sobering. I recently decided to cut through the noise and put AI through its paces across my own workflow. I wanted to see exactly what it could handle when applied to real projects.
Here is the truth about where the technology actually stands today.
Concept Generation: The Sweet Spot
Let’s start with the positive, because this is where AI is, without a doubt, the top tool in the arsenal. We all hit a wall sometimes. You're tired, staring at a difficult room, and you just don't know how to resolve the furniture layout or the initial flow of the space. In these moments, AI is perfect. It can quickly bounce back multiple options, allowing you to pick the one that sparks an idea, which you can then manually adapt to the strict demands of your actual project.
It’s fantastic for creating concept presentations, with one major caveat: you have to review everything twice. If you feed the AI too much information at once, it gets confused and will inevitably make mistakes. But as a brainstorming partner, it is unmatched.
Renders: The Middle Ground
Renders are a little bit better than some of the other technical outputs, but they still suffer from a bizarre lack of real-world context.
For instance, if a window is behind the "camera" and not directly visible in the shot, the AI often fails to calculate the natural light coming from it, leaving the space looking flat and artificial. The finishes frequently look surreal or completely impractical for actual procurement. Worst of all, trying to get the AI to adapt or tweak a specific detail to match the exact output you want is an exercise in frustration. It stubbornly fights your vision instead of refining it.
Cost/Material Estimations: The Frustration
There is a very low ceiling on what you can actually trust when it comes to budgeting and material takeoffs. Yes, an AI tool can reliably count the number of windows and doors, or spit out a total square footage. Beyond that? Don't bother.
When dealing with complex, varied materials, I found myself spending significantly more time trying to set up the software parameters than it would have taken to just do the work manually. Pulling up a PDF reader or firing up AutoCAD to take actual, precise measurements is still faster and infinitely more reliable for a professional scope of work.
The Disaster: Drawings
If you value precision, keep AI far away from your floor plans. The technology has a glaring blind spot when it comes to spatial reality and basic rules.
I've seen it try to cram a washroom into a space that couldn't hold a broom closet, simply stretching the dimensions on the page to make a bed magically "fit." It doesn't understand functional clearances, let alone the rigorous demands of zoning bylaws and building codes. When it comes to drafting, it is currently a mess of errors and out-of-bounds geometry.
My final thought
I want to be precise about one thing: we are talking here about PDF and CAD drawings, not BIM. When we talk about Building Information Modelling (BIM), these specific problems don't really exist. In BIM, we already input all necessary information and parameters as we build the model. The "information" is already baked in. My experience with these AI limitations applies to the attempt to automate the translation and generation of standard 2D drawings and static files.
The industry chatter might focus on how AI will effortlessly take over the profession, but right now, it's not replacing the hard work of technical design and compliance. It is an incredible tool for when you need a creative spark, but when it comes to the real work of bringing a building to life, your own expertise is still the only thing you can trust.
GXGprojects is an international design and architectural studio built on a simple yet ambitious idea: designing your dreams. Originating in Turin, Italy, the practice was founded through the collaboration of creative minds focused on transforming ideas into tangible, real-world solutions. Today, the studio operates across Italy and Canada, combining European design sensibility with a global perspective.
At its core, GXGprojects is more than a design service—it acts as a partner throughout the entire creative and construction journey. Each project begins with a deep understanding of the client’s lifestyle, goals, and vision. Rather than imposing a predefined style, the studio develops tailored solutions that feel personal, intentional, and grounded in real needs.
The studio offers a complete range of services, including architectural design, interiors, 3D modelling, rendering, and immersive virtual tours. Through advanced visualization tools, GXGprojects enables clients to experience spaces before they are built, turning concepts into clear and realistic visions.
Beyond design, GXGprojects supports project coordination and execution, connecting clients, contractors, and regulatory processes. This hands-on approach ensures clarity and efficiency from concept to completion, resulting in spaces that are both refined, buildable and deeply connected to those who inhabit them.
