Gensler integrated AI into design workflows and it now influences thousands of projects.

Picture creating a structure that lets you examine sunlight patterns in corridors, sound propagation in workspaces, and human movement patterns, all prior to any building work.

Today this capability is reality as architects employ AI to boost and speed up their creative processes.

Three years earlier Gensler executives began testing AI during an internal effort called the AI sandbox. This initiative encouraged open exploration of generative artificial intelligence to identify effective uses and limitations.

It marked a pivotal shift for the company Jordan Goldstein co-CEO of Gensler explained to Business Insider. The firm recognized the need to lead rather than follow developments in artificial intelligence.

Although the architecture sector has adopted AI more gradually specialists note that the technology assists designers in reviewing additional alternatives sharing concepts clearly and speeding up innovative options.

At Gensler the focus remains on enhancing human capabilities instead of substitution. AI brings additional concepts into workflows and supports deeper exploration of those ideas Goldstein noted. The technology allows staff to prioritize advanced creative work.

From AI concepts to cinematic storytelling

Goldstein noted that Gensler handles roughly 3000 projects annually. AI now supports most of these efforts.

During the sandbox period the team assessed numerous vendor generative AI platforms and several were later incorporated into an internal interface.

AI supports concept development by letting architects test natural light effects or acoustic qualities within spaces. For Under Armors new Baltimore headquarters designers applied AI to model daily employee activity and resulting impacts on ventilation and energy use.

The firm also deployed RunDiffusion an online service for producing AI videos and images. It reached staff about six months ago. Goldstein reported that more than 3000 users completed training within four days.

Following prompt engineering guidance Goldstein created a full concept in minutes using the platform.

AI has expanded the range of ideas explored improved early vision sharing and allowed functional simulations of structures. Before securing a mixed use district project near a future stadium the team presented an AI enhanced vision to ownership. The major advance has been in narrative delivery Goldstein said. Design concepts generated by AI can become engaging cinematic sequences.

Gensler applied similar methods to the Baghdad Sustainable Forests project to illustrate the future of Iraqs largest ecological initiative.

Reviewing opportunities and addressing concerns

A 2025 American Institute of Architects study showed that roughly 90 percent of surveyed architects expressed worries over AI errors security issues and separating AI content from original work.

Jason Vigneri-Beane an architecture professor at Pratt Institute shared that students voice comparable views. Many who welcome the tools also worry about reduced control over design and resource demands for energy and water he told Business Insider.

Vigneri-Beane sees value in early project phases where he primarily applies the technology. He is particularly interested in its role for testing new visual styles and exploring conceptual directions.

Sabri Gokmen an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte incorporates AI across multiple tasks. He has used it to process extensive datasets for cultural heritage preservation and for routine activities such as grant writing. Gokmen also instructs students on AI image generation for design exercises.

He highlighted an ongoing collaboration with the computer science department to build an AI model that produces geometric forms beyond the reach of standard large language models.

The goal is to let architects or designers input text or images and receive 3D models in return Gokmen explained. The team is training the system on tower structures for office and residential use.

While some practices apply AI to early design and operations Gokmen observed that industry adoption remains gradual.

Still Gokmen believes AI represents the path forward for architecture. Design will continue to depend on human judgment and societal agreements he said. Yet the technology will create new paths for development.

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