Human–AI Collaborative Design in Architectural Studios: Evaluating Paradigm Shifts Across the Six Stages of the Design Process

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming architectural education, shifting design studios toward human–AI collaborative workflows. This study investigates the impact of AI integration across the six stages of the architectural design process: pre-design, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, documentation, and presentation. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining survey data from 17 master’s degree students with reflective insights from eight faculty members involved in hybrid AI-supported studio environments. AI’s influence was evaluated using six indicators: efficiency, creativity enhancement, accuracy, interdisciplinary integration, adoptability, and environmental or architectural impact. The findings indicate that AI is most effective during early design stages, where it supports idea generation, visualization, and rapid iteration. Its impact becomes less pronounced in later technical phases, where human expertise and critical reasoning remain essential. Students perceived AI as a creative catalyst and productivity enhancer, while faculty emphasized its analytical and evaluative potential in supporting informed decision-making. Overall, AI functions most effectively as a complementary partner rather than a replacement for human agency. The study proposes a structured framework to guide ethical and pedagogically sound AI integration within architectural design studios.