AI-Powered Design Exploration: From Ideation to Visualization

In this workshop, we will focus on using AI as a practical tool across two distinct stages of the architectural design process: early-stage ideation and architectural visualization. The first part explores how Midjourney can be used to study references, extract architectural elements, generate unexpected mutations, and critically select design possibilities. The second part focuses on using Nano Banana Pro and Kling to develop accurate visualizations and short animations from an established 3D view.

Throughout the workshop, you will learn to analyze buildings and objects through their physical characteristics rather than simply their style. These observations will be translated into prompts and combined across multiple references to generate a wide range of massing, façade, and spatial options. You will then evaluate the generated results against a design brief, identify the elements worth carrying forward, and select a clear design direction.

Once a direction has been established, the workflow shifts from exploration to visualization. Starting from a 3D model view, you will use Nano Banana Pro to develop accurate architectural images while maintaining the original massing, openings, and proportions. You will explore controlled changes to material, lighting, camera, people, and context, before using Kling to turn the approved still into a short architectural animation.

The workshop is intended for architects, designers, and students interested in incorporating generative AI into architectural design and visualization workflows. Participants should have a basic understanding of architectural design and visual communication.

Scope:

The workshop will combine theoretical explanations, demonstrations, and practical exercises across two complementary workflows. Each part will begin by introducing a specific design problem and the role of AI in addressing it.

The first chapter will establish a methodology for AI-assisted ideation. Participants will study selected buildings and objects, identify their architectural anatomy, and translate physical elements into prompts. These will be used to generate variations through single-source and multi-reference workflows in Midjourney.

The generated options will then be critically evaluated against the project brief. Rather than focusing on image quantity, the process emphasizes identifying what makes a particular option successful and clearly articulating which elements should be carried forward.

The second chapter will focus on visualization rather than design generation. Participants will begin with a 3D model view and use Nano Banana Pro to produce an accurate architectural image. The original massing, openings, and proportions will remain fixed while material, lighting, camera, people, and context are refined. The approved image will then be developed into a short animation using Kling.

Program:

Day 1: Midjourney - Ideation, Mutation & Selection

• Analyze architectural references and objects through physical elements and architectural anatomy.
• Extract massing, openings, materiality, recesses, terraces, and other key characteristics.
• Translate observations into Midjourney prompts.
• Generate design variations using single-source and multi-reference workflows.
• Explore unexpected massing, façade, and spatial possibilities.
• Evaluate generated options against a design brief.
• Select one design direction and identify the elements carried forward.

Day 2: Nano Banana Pro & Kling - Visualization & Animation

• Start from a 3D model view as the visualization base.
• Generate accurate architectural images while preserving massing, openings, and proportions.
• Explore material, lighting, season, camera, people, and contextual changes.
• Develop controlled image-editing instructions without altering the underlying structure.
• Refine and approve a final architectural visualization.
• Transform the approved still into a short animation using Kling.
• Explore approach, orbit, interior movement, or light-change sequences while maintaining the same design.