Revolutionize Your Design Process with Chat GPT: 5 Ways AI Can Boost Your Creativity and Productivity
The ability to use language processing and machine learning to generate ideas and suggestions for your designs, freeing up your brainpower to focus on the creative process. In this article, we’ll explore how chat GPT can revolutionize your design process and make you a better designer in 5 key ways. Get ready to elevate your skills and take your designs to the next level!
Now over the past couple weeks Chat GPT has kind of gone viral. It’s one of the most highly adapted software ever created with over a million users within a week [1] and people are exploring ways to use it for both business and pleasure. More importantly, and let’s get one thing straight, chat GPT will not replace your job, think of chat GPT more of a tool or assistant. This chatbot is exactly what I thought Ask Jeeves was going to be (is this exposing my age?) when it was first introduced or even Amazon‘s Alexa but nothing has really come close until now.
When I first opened the chat I started like most people, asking the bot to generate a story and after a code snippet of something simple but specific. To my surprise, Chat GPT was quite good, so I thought let’s push further. I tested more complex and seemingly difficult prompts. While the responses had their flaws, I was thoroughly impressed with the capabilities and felt a sense of dread wash over. There is a sort of reflection period one has after using this tool for the first time which I would say feels very similar to existential dread. In my mind I’m thinking: are knowledge based careers at risk; what is life going to be like once this gets more precise; how can I attribute any value to my life anymore?
But.
As I interacted with the chatbot more, I realize that this is a tool, a great tool and nothing will ever replace the experience and knowledge one gains from a certain field. As we advance technology we can adapt or die. Chat GPT can help professionals, especially design professionals leverage certain productivity and creative hacks to better execute a vision. This is why chat GPT and other similar tools will be so impactful in the design industry. The software can act as a preliminary tool to develop ideas faster and more efficiently while also helping you realize your final outcome with a more directed approach. Now, as the title states I want to showcase five ways that you can implement chat GPT into your workflow today as a designer.
Using AI as your personal ghost writer
Let’s face it, a designer’s love language is visual, bold and makes a statement so we are less than thrilled when tasked to write. We need that energy to create our next most profound work, we dread the idea of putting together a long document or even writing an small project description. Let me show you how ChatGPT can help enhance your writing and give you more time to focus on designing.
Prompt: Write a 300–400 word project description of an elegant, refined architectural space that takes inspiration from the breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Generated response:
The mountain landscape is a source of inspiration for many architects and designers, and it is not difficult to see why. The rugged, majestic peaks and sweeping vistas of the mountains offer a sense of grandeur and natural beauty that is hard to match.
Our architectural project aims to capture the essence of the mountain landscape and bring it into the built environment. We envision a space that is elegant, refined, and truly breathtaking.
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the mountain landscape is the use of natural materials. We will incorporate the use of stone, wood, and other natural materials to create a sense of connection to the outdoors and bring a touch of the natural world into the space.
The design of the space will be inspired by the sweeping lines and curves of the mountain ranges, with clean, flowing lines and a sense of movement and dynamism. The use of large windows and glass walls will allow for plenty of natural light to flood the space, creating a sense of openness and bringing the outdoors in.
One of the key features of the space will be the use of a central atrium, which will serve as the heart of the space. This atrium will be surrounded by tall, soaring walls and will be flooded with natural light from above, creating a sense of openness and connection to the sky. The atrium will be surrounded by a series of balconies and walkways, allowing visitors to experience the space from multiple levels and angles.
The overall design of the space will be modern and minimalistic, with a focus on simplicity and functionality. The use of natural materials, along with the use of clean lines and a neutral color palette, will create a sense of calm and tranquility, allowing visitors to truly relax and unwind.
Overall, our architectural project aims to create a space that is elegant, refined, and inspired by the breathtaking mountain landscape. We hope to create a space that is both functional and beautiful, and that serves as a sanctuary for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
359 words
Pretty good, right?
Now while one shouldn’t just copy and paste this tool, while used responsibly, can help develop the narrative that will grab the audience’s attention. Some tips to note is that when working with chatGPT try to find keywords or phrases that you would like to build the narrative around. In the prompt given, I chose elegant, refined and takes inspiration from the breathtaking mountain landscapes. Keep it simple stupid and build off the response generated.
Analyze text from an excerpt
Sometimes writing one can get caught up in their own work. Having fresh, new eyes can bring new perspectives and enhance readability. Using ChatGPT to analyze the work can do just that when you are working alone or waiting to get feedback from a trusted colleague. Let’s see how this chatbot can improve a text excerpt.
Prompt: Analyze the sentence “Construction is wasteful, messy, time and labor intensive and lacks precision. Additive manufacturing enables affordable placing of material only where it is needed”
Generated response:
The sentence seems to be expressing the opinion that construction is generally inefficient and lacks precision, while additive manufacturing is a more affordable and efficient alternative because it allows material to be placed only where it is needed. This is likely a reference to the fact that additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a process that involves building an object layer by layer, which allows for greater precision and control over the placement of material compared to traditional manufacturing methods. Additionally, because additive manufacturing only requires material to be placed where it is needed, it is often seen as a more efficient and less wasteful method of manufacturing.
I felt like the response could be elaborated on.
Prompt: elaborate on “Construction is wasteful, messy, time and labor intensive and lacks precision. Additive manufacturing enables affordable placing of material only where it is needed”
Generated response:
There are a few different ways that the sentence you provided could be elaborated upon. One possible interpretation of the sentence is that construction as a process is often inefficient and imprecise because it involves a lot of waste, messiness, and labor. This is because traditional construction methods involve cutting and shaping materials to fit a specific design, which can result in a lot of waste and excess material. Additionally, the process of construction can be messy and time-consuming, requiring a large amount of labor to complete.
On the other hand, additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a more precise and efficient method of manufacturing objects. This is because it involves building an object layer by layer, which allows for greater control over the placement of material. This means that additive manufacturing can be used to produce objects that are more precise and have less waste, because material is only placed where it is needed. Additionally, because additive manufacturing is a more efficient process, it can be more affordable than traditional construction methods.
Overall, the sentence you provided suggests that construction can be wasteful, messy, and imprecise, while additive manufacturing offers a more efficient and affordable alternative.
Having this tool is a game changer, while chatGPT can give insight to your own writing, this can be useful to better understand other writing in publications, journals, and articles. As a designer exploring novel research, I have found that this tool has made understanding technical jargon a little easier.
Designing around building and programmatic requirements
Now you’re probably thinking, story generation and text analysis, great, but does this tool have any professional knowledge based application. Well let’s get into that. Let’s say you’re designing a space with materials in mind and to understand what the wall assembly and size might look like one can ask chatGPT to give examples. Below is my conversation with the chatbot.
Prompt: can you give me 3 examples of max occupancy and fire-rating of a hotel lobby
Generated response:
Sure, here are three examples of maximum occupancies and fire ratings for hotel lobbies:
A small hotel lobby that is 500 square feet in size may have a maximum occupancy of 50 people, and a fire rating of 1 hour. This means that the lobby has been designed and constructed to withstand a fire for at least one hour, which should provide sufficient time for people to evacuate the building safely.
A medium-sized hotel lobby that is 1000 square feet in size may have a maximum occupancy of 100 people, and a fire rating of 2 hours. This means that the lobby has been designed and constructed to withstand a fire for at least two hours, which should provide sufficient time for people to evacuate the building safely.
A large hotel lobby that is 1500 square feet in size may have a maximum occupancy of 150 people, and a fire rating of 3 hours. This means that the lobby has been designed and constructed to withstand a fire for at least three hours, which should provide sufficient time for people to evacuate the building safely.
It is important to note that these are just examples, and the actual maximum occupancy and fire rating of a hotel lobby may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the building. Local building and fire codes will typically dictate the maximum occupancy and fire rating of a hotel lobby, and it is important to follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of guests and employees.
The last paragraph is important to highlight. ChatGPT is a tool and shall always be backchecked as it is not the one liable for wrong information. One can see that this tool is quite powerful in how its understanding of the fire-rating increases the occupancy. Let’s see now if the chatbot can give me materials that I can construct a 3hr wall assembly that I can make a decision on how I might approach a design and have options when look at the cost analysis of materials.
Prompt: can you give me an example of a 3 hour wall assembly
Generated response:
A 3-hour wall assembly is a type of wall construction that is designed to resist the spread of fire for a period of at least 3 hours. This type of wall assembly is often used in buildings where there is a need to provide a high level of fire resistance, such as in hotels, hospitals, schools, and other public buildings.
There are a number of different ways to construct a 3-hour wall assembly, and the specific materials and methods used will depend on the specific requirements of the building and local building codes. Some common elements of a 3-hour wall assembly include:
Concrete block or concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls: These types of walls are made from solid concrete blocks or hollow concrete blocks filled with insulation. They are very durable and can provide a high level of fire resistance.
Steel stud framing: Steel stud framing can be used in conjunction with other materials, such as gypsum board or mineral wool insulation, to create a 3-hour wall assembly.
Fire-resistant drywall: Specialty drywall products that are designed to resist the spread of fire can be used to create a 3-hour wall assembly when used in combination with other materials, such as steel stud framing.
Fire-resistant doors: Doors that are rated for 3 hours of fire resistance can be used in a 3-hour wall assembly to provide additional protection against the spread of fire.
It is important to note that these are just a few examples of materials and methods that can be used to construct a 3-hour wall assembly. The specific requirements for a 3-hour wall assembly will depend on the specific circumstances of the building and local building codes.
One can see that leveraging this AI for professional knowledge can have its benefits that will ultimately allow more thought to be allocated into the creative endeavor. While the information given is not specific to local jurisdictions and should always be back checked for accuracy, the tool allows for a more in-depth analysis and understanding of professional knowledge for practical design applications that can enhance the design decisions.
Quicker understanding of the International Building Codes
Understanding the the IBC (international building codes) requires an expert knowledge that takes years to develop and interpret. Can AI assist to help get the answer of specific building types without needing to find the answer in the architect’s bible? Let’s try and find out, below is my conversation with ChatGPT.
Prompt: what are the international building code building classifications
Generated response:
The International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code developed by the International Code Council (ICC). It provides guidelines for the construction, design, and maintenance of buildings and structures. The IBC includes provisions for the classification of buildings based on their use, occupancy, and construction type.
The IBC divides buildings into several classifications, including:
Class A: Occupancies that are typically high-rise buildings with an occupant load of 300 or more and a height of 75 feet or more.
Class B: Occupancies that are typically mid-rise buildings with an occupant load of less than 300 and a height of less than 75 feet.
Class C: Occupancies that are typically low-rise buildings with an occupant load of less than 100 and a height of less than 35 feet.
Class D: Occupancies that are typically one- and two-family dwellings.
Class E: Occupancies that are typically assembly occupancies with an occupant load of more than 300.
Class F: Occupancies that are typically business occupancies with an occupant load of less than 100.
Class G: Occupancies that are typically storage occupancies.
Class H: Occupancies that are typically hazardous occupancies.
The IBC also includes provisions for special occupancies, such as ambulatory care facilities, detention and correctional facilities, and residential care/assisted living facilities. These occupancies have additional requirements for construction, design, and safety based on their unique characteristics.
Okay, google can do this but still the separation of the classes and the descriptions are pretty helpful to set the stage for more specific information but I don’t know if the information is completely correct. Below is the occupancy classification from section 302 of the 2021 IBC.
While some of the information is correct there are discrepancies and not the end of the world because there is still good information but not what we asked. The best way to get accurate and good information is to frame the question in a way that takes the expert knowledge you possess and construct the question that leverages specific keywords. In the meantime I’ll add the information I expected in the feedback because I want this tool to be better.
Let’s reframe the question with an emphasis on more technical and specific information.
Prompt: Can you give me the information for Assembly Groups A-1 in the international building code building
Generated response:
The International Building Code (IBC) is a model code produced by the International Code Council (ICC) that provides minimum requirements for the construction and maintenance of buildings and structures. It is intended to provide a reasonable level of safety for building occupants and property, and to protect buildings from damage due to fire, wind, and other hazards.
Assembly Group A-1 refers to buildings or structures that are occupied for assembly, entertainment, or worship purposes, with an occupant load of more than 300 but not more than 1,000 people. These buildings may include auditoriums, theaters, and places of worship.
Here are some general requirements for Assembly Group A-1 buildings in the IBC:
Construction Type: These buildings must be classified as either Type II (Non-Combustible), Type III (Ordinary), or Type IV (Heavy Timber) construction, depending on the size and occupancy of the building and the type of construction materials used.
Fire Resistance Rating: The walls, floors, and roof of Assembly Group A-1 buildings must have a minimum fire-resistance rating of 1 hour.
Exit Requirements: These buildings must have a sufficient number of exits to allow all occupants to safely evacuate in the event of an emergency. The minimum width of exits and the maximum distance that occupants must travel to reach an exit depend on the occupant load of the building.
Accessibility: Assembly Group A-1 buildings must be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities, in accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Sprinkler Systems: These buildings must be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system unless certain conditions are met, such as having a fire alarm system and a smoke control system.
These are just a few of the requirements for Assembly Group A-1 buildings in the IBC. For more detailed information, you should consult the IBC or consult with a building professional familiar with the code.
While the information is not fully correct, crucial information regarding the A-1 assembly including fixed seating was disregarded but at the end of the day the code is interpretable. ChatGPT is not wrong and with the right argument the interpretation can be sold to building department.
The answer is helpful in terms of what is provided and needs to be thought about in terms of Fire Resistance Rating, Exit Requirements, Accessibility, and Sprinkler Systems. I’m repeating myself but the information should always be back check with the current and local laws/codes.
With the information of an A-1 occupancy already cached in the chat, I wanted to explore maximum occupancy and egress requirements. below is the continued conversation with the chat.
Prompt: What is the maximum occupancy for a A-1 occupancy of 2500 square feet with a type III construction and a 2 hour fire rating?
Generated response:
The maximum occupant load for a building or space is determined by its size, use, and means of egress. In general, the larger the space and the more exits available, the higher the occupant load can be. However, there are specific requirements for determining the maximum occupant load in different types of buildings and spaces, as set forth in the International Building Code (IBC).
In the case of an Assembly Group A-1 occupancy with a size of 2500 square feet and a Type III (Ordinary) construction type with a 2-hour fire-resistance rating, the maximum occupant load would be determined as follows:
1. Calculate the occupant load factor: The occupant load factor for an Assembly Group A-1 occupancy is 7 square feet per person.
2. Determine the occupant load: To calculate the occupant load, divide the floor area of the space (2500 square feet) by the occupant load factor (7 square feet per person). This gives an occupant load of 357 people.
3. Consider other factors: The occupant load may need to be adjusted based on other factors, such as the width and number of exits, the type and placement of seats, and the presence of any special features or equipment.
It’s important to note that the maximum occupant load is not the same as the maximum capacity of the space. The maximum capacity may be less than the maximum occupant load if the space is designed to accommodate fewer people for other reasons, such as the availability of seating or the presence of obstructions.
I hope this helps! If you have any further questions about calculating occupant load or determining the maximum capacity of a building or space, please don’t hesitate to ask.
With more specific questions that take the expert knowledge from the user, one can generate better responses with more accurate information. I like how ChatGPT generalizes the information like, “In general, the larger the space and the more exits available, the higher the occupant load can be.” This can be helpful for the design professional that is looking to find information in a certain occupancy, but again back check information because this is a tool, not an end all be all solution. The goal is to work smarter so that one can focus on the more important tasks like writing emails…….
Just kidding, you can use this tool for that too, actually I recommend it. Okay, I digress. I was also curious to see if ChatGPT can estimate how many exits I might need, let’s see below. The reason this was a more simple question than the former ones is that ChatGPT can take the previous information into account when generating a new response.
Prompt: how many exits would the space require
The number of exits required for a building or space depends on the occupant load, the size of the space, and the layout of the building. The International Building Code (IBC) sets forth specific requirements for the minimum number and width of exits in different types of buildings and spaces, based on the occupant load and the use of the space.
In the case of an Assembly Group A-1 occupancy with a size of 2500 square feet and an occupant load of 357 people, the minimum number and width of exits would be determined as follows:
Determine the width of exits: The minimum width of an exit in an Assembly Group A-1 occupancy is determined by the occupant load served by the exit. For an occupant load of up to 500 people, the minimum width of an exit must be 44 inches.
Calculate the total required width of exits: To determine the total required width of exits, multiply the occupant load by the required width of each exit. For an occupant load of 357 people, the total required width of exits would be 15,628 inches, or 1308 inches per exit.
Determine the number of exits: The total required width of exits should be divided among the required number of exits, which is determined by the occupant load and the size of the space. For an occupant load of 357 people in a space of 2500 square feet, the IBC requires a minimum of 2 exits.
It’s important to note that these are just the minimum requirements for exits in an Assembly Group A-1 occupancy. Depending on the specific circumstances of the building or space, additional exits may be required to ensure that all occupants can safely evacuate in the event of an emergency.
I hope this helps! If you have any further questions about calculating the number and width of exits in a building or space, please don’t hesitate to ask.
The information is there but there is a pretty funny mistake when calculating the the total width of the egress. the formula is missing a key element and that's the factor per occupant based on other elements in the design e.g. sprinklered, non-sprinklered, high-hazard, etc. Again, this is super helpful but all information that is generate but this AI needs to be verified for accuracy.
Over all, one can see how powerful of a tool that this can be in creating expert knowledge but one has to be careful. Entering a vague prompt will elicit a poor response. So make sure the question that is asked includes specific keywords and have an understanding of what answer might be received. Finally do not take the information at face value and always make sure to fact check even if the information seems correct.
Using ChatGPT to create productivity tools for 3D modeling & documentation
Finally we get to my favorite part, using AI to make tools to help Architects design and produce. Chat GPT can write and debug code, so let’s explore how one can create a tool in Python that will generate the areas in sqft from geometry in Rhino3d.
Prompt: write a code in python for rhino3d that can calculate the area of a closed curve and add a text dot of the area at the centroid of the curve
Generated response:
Here is a code in Python that you can use to calculate the area of a closed curve in Rhino 3D and add a text dot with the area value at the centroid of the curve:
import rhinoscriptsyntax as rs
# Select the closed curve
crv = rs.GetObject("Select a closed curve", rs.filter.curve)
if not crv: exit()
# Calculate the area of the closed curve
area = rs.CurveArea(crv)[0]
# Calculate the centroid of the closed curve
centroid = rs.CurveAreaCentroid(crv)[0]
# Add a text dot with the area value at the centroid
rs.AddTextDot(str(area), centroid)
# Refresh the Rhino view
rs.Redraw()This code first prompts the user to select a closed curve. It then calculates the area of the curve using the
CurveAreafunction and the centroid of the curve using theCurveAreaCentroidfunction. Finally, it adds a text dot with the area value at the centroid using theAddTextDotfunction and refreshes the Rhino view using theRedrawfunction.I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions or need further assistance.
Well, looks good but let’s take it into Rhino and see if it works, no reason to criticize yet.
One can see that it works exactly how I prompted the ChatBOT. While the code could use refinement to make the text dots cleaner and add “sqft” to the end of the number I did not have to make any adjustments to the code for it work. I think that is just incredible no matter how simple the script may be. Go ahead try it out, copy and paste the code into rhino or better yet prompt the ChatBOT to write a script of your choosing and tag me in it, I want to see what is possible.
Overall ChatGPT thoughts for designers
There you have it, 5 ways to use AI to improve your creativity and productivity. This tool has major implications on the way architects and designers can modify their workflow and advance it in to the future. AI will not be taking your job anytime soon but leveraging the power of AI is a must if you want to stay on top of the tech and in front of your competitors but really, the truth for me, it just makes the mundane work a little more fun with the added benefit of giving myself more energy to focus on what I love to work on, the design.
Now go and see how AI can enhance your workflow.
References
- Ortiz, S. (2022, December 7). What is CHATGPT and why does it matter? here’s what you need to know. ZDNET. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-chatgpt-and-why-does-it-matter-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
