Artificial intelligence is entering new areas of human activity, revolutionizing more industries. This time its capabilities are being used by architects and interior designers. At the forefront of this shift is Krakow University of Technology, which is leading the prestigious international AInterior project. The initiative, implemented in cooperation with partners from Italy, Spain and Latvia as part of the Erasmus+ program, combines classical space design techniques with modern artificial intelligence tools, creating a new standard for education and practice in interior design.
projection, cross-section - student workshop: Kraków - inclusive interior
© Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology
The development of artificial intelligence in interior design opens up new opportunities, but also poses challenges for designers. It is necessary to assimilate new design-enhancing technologies that will enable conscious and responsible use of them," emphasizes Dr. Elżbieta Kusińska from the Department of Residential Environment Design at the Faculty of Architecture at Krakow University of Technology, one of the coordinators of the project "The use of AI tools in interior design to create aesthetic, inclusive and sustainable built environment - AInterior.
new education for the future of architecture
The goal of the AInterior project is to develop a modern teaching methodology that will teach students to combine traditional design techniques - such as building spatial architectural models - with the potential of artificial intelligence.
We want to equip graduates with the ability to work in diverse teams and the competence to use AI, which will significantly increase their competitiveness in the job market," notes Professor Patrycja Haupt, leader of the research team.
One of the main goals of the project is also to teach the design of inclusive interiors, adapted to people with different levels of ability and different needs. - By using AI algorithms to analyze user preferences, it is possible to create spaces that are more accessible, functional and aesthetically pleasing, explains Prof. Patrycja Haupt.
Workshops as a testing ground for innovation
Workshops and courses to develop the competencies of future architects are an integral part of the project. The first classes were held at the Faculty of Architecture at PK in cooperation with the Laboratory for Transformation of Residential Environments. Students were tasked with designing an urban day care center for various social groups, and then used AI to generate visualizations of their ideas.
Multicultural and multidisciplinary teams created a variety of designs, integrating traditional work methods with modern digital solutions. The practice gathered valuable data that will be used in building an advanced AI tool for generating visualizations of inclusive interiors.
Visualizations - student workshop: Krakow - inclusive interior
© Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology
creating an intelligent design tool
Based on the workshop experience, the project participants developed sets of prompts and keywords tested in "text to image" mode.
The keywords and appropriately worded prompts make it possible to determine the interior style, color palette, functional layout and adaptation of the space to different user groups, explains Dr. Karolina Dudzic-Gyurkovich, another of the AInterior project coordinators.
The finished tool is expected to enable rapid generation of diverse design variants, facilitating the work of architects and communication with investors. Thanks to realistic visualizations, it will be easier to present architectural solutions that take into account the needs of the elderly, children or people with limited mobility.
AI in design - a support, not a threat
Specialists and specialists from the Cracow University of Technology agree: artificial intelligence will not replace the designer's work, but will become a valuable support in the creative process.
AI tools often do not take into account key functional, ergonomic or technical aspects, and the results of their work are sometimes unpredictable, says Dr. Dudzic-Gyurkovich. - Design is a complex process that requires technical knowledge and knowledge of spatial composition principles, which artificial intelligence cannot fully replace, Dr. Kusinskaya adds.
Similar conclusions have been drawn from commercial projects. Ikea is testing an AI assistant in the US to visualize interior layouts, but, experts stress, simply arranging furniture is not full space design.
Visualizations - student workshop: Cracow - inclusive interior
© Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology
The future of design with AI
As part of further design activities, Krakow University of Technology plans to further develop and test AI tools, involving more and more user groups.
We plan to collect feedback from users and adapt our tools to actual design needs," announces Prof. Haupt. International cooperation with partners from Milan, Madrid, Riga and Krakow enables knowledge exchange and joint search for innovative solutions.
The AInterior project, which will last until 2027, is perfectly in line with the broader research conducted at Krakow University of Technology on the use of AI in interior design. Optional classes and design internships already include the creation of moodboards, inspiring visualizations and more advanced spatial concepts using artificial intelligence.
The project involves scientists and academics from the Faculty of Architecture at PK: Dr. Eng. arch. Patrycja Haupt, prof. of PK, Dr. Eng. arch. Karolina Dudzic-Gyurkovich, Dr. Eng. arch. Elzbieta Kusinska, and Dr. Eng. arch. Paweł Tor.
Krakow University of Technology is thus taking a clear step towards the technological future of architecture - combining tradition with innovation and shaping new standards in the design of inclusive spaces.
