Using ThinkDiffusion, ChatGPT, and a lot of imagination to rethink sustainable design
Setting the Stage
At the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture et de Paysage de Bordeaux (ENSAP Bordeaux), a group of pioneering undergrads are discovering how AI tools can transform architectural creativity. Led by Professors Fabienne Darricau, Jean-Marc Emy, and Vincent Witomski, the course—called “Artificial Intelligence: When Representation Becomes Project”—turns generative AI into a hands-on design ally.
Why AI in Architecture?
Some people see AI as a limitless source of inspiration. Others worry it might replace genuine human ingenuity. This course navigates that tension by challenging students to embrace generative AI for exploration—without losing their own creative spark. Here, AI isn’t the solution; it’s more like a co-creator that nudges you toward unexpected ideas.
A Peek into the Course Structure
The studio runs like an experimental workshop. Students explore both the theory and the practice of AI in design:
- Kickoff & Background
- A quick look at how digital tools have shaped architecture so far (think CAD, BIM, parametric design) and an introduction to the buzz around AI.
- Hands-On with ThinkDiffusion & ChatGPT
- Students dive into ThinkDiffusion, which uses Stable Diffusion, and ChatGPT. They try prompt engineering, iteration, and collaborative critiques.
- The main goal is to see how AI-generated visuals can spark new architectural concepts—especially around “green architecture.”
- Critical Feedback
- Every so often, everyone gathers for group critiques. How do these AI-driven visuals align with real sustainable design principles? How do they shape (or misshape) our ideas of “green” building?
- Show & Tell
- Students share final image sets, references, and design proposals. The emphasis is on explaining why certain AI outputs make sense—and where human intuition still matters most.
Green Architecture & Collective Imagination
A big theme here is sustainability, but in a more nuanced way than just “add more solar panels.” Students research how media images of eco-friendly design influence public perception. Then, they see how those same images reappear (sometimes warped or amplified) in AI-generated content. The result? Brand-new—and sometimes weirdly futuristic—interpretations of “green” architecture.
Balanced Creativity
One of the most valuable lessons is learning to strike a balance. On the one hand, AI can expand your design horizons. On the other, it’s easy to fall back on automatic solutions and lose that personal touch. The course pushes students to regularly question: “Why did I choose this direction?” and “Does the AI output genuinely serve my design vision?”
Where It’s All Heading
This course is just the beginning of ENSAP Bordeaux’s journey with AI in architecture. The hope is to develop architects who know how to harness the power of generative AI, yet remain firmly rooted in the fundamentals of thoughtful, human-centered design. If the excitement in the studio is any indication, the future of sustainable architecture might just be a lively collaboration between human insight and AI’s potential.
Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture et de Paysage de Bordeaux
http://www.bordeaux.archi.fr
Text adapted from the official course syllabus: “Artificial Intelligence: When Representation Becomes Project.” Photos courtesy of ENSAP Bordeaux.
Ready to go help educate others with AI?
Let’s create something extraordinary together.
Check out more on architecture and education
