Augmented Intuition. Encoding Ideas, Matter and Why It Matters

Abstract

This chapter discusses the meaning of intuition, creativity, and intelligence in the context of architecture and how information technology can potentially support designers and augment their own intuition. It starts with looking at how technology has been employed to support the design process throughout history, even before computers were invented. The general introduction sheds light on different creative processes, asking what creativity is and how it can be classified. It is followed by a description of two case studies conducted by the authors. Although these projects are very diverse in type, application, and scale, they showcase the potential and promising applications of artificial intelligence (AI) that enhance architects’ creativity and allow them to encompass the synthetic approach for architectural development from the design to its physical realization. The chapter reflects on the current and categorical limitations of AI and concludes with an optimistic outlook on various possible creative applications of AI in the domain of architecture.