Bernstein P. Machine Learning. Architecture in the age of AI 2ed 2025

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Bernstein P. Machine Learning. Architecture in the age of AI 2ed 2025

Textbook in PDF format ‘The advent of machine learning-based AI systems demands that our industry does not just share toys, but builds a new sandbox in which to play with them.’ - Phil Bernstein. The profession is changing. A new era is rapidly approaching when computers will not merely be instruments for data creation, manipulation and management, but, empowered by artificial intelligence, they will become agents of design themselves. Architects need a strategy for facing the opportunities and threats of these emergent capabilities or risk being left behind. INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST EDITION lmost half a century ago I was an undergraduate-aspiring-architect studying at a school where the design studio was reserved for the elders while the rest of us fulfilled our general requirements. An early interest in computers had led me to a lower-level course called ‘Introduction to Computer Graphics’, where, according to the syllabus, we were to spend the first three drab weeks programming oscilloscopes to draw circles; exercises in early computer-aided design (CAD) on the first graphic displays – which were, of course, about 6 in wide, as seen in Figure 0.1. Deciding that slog was not for me, I stumbled upon an exotic class in the same department called ‘Natural Language Processing’, where, apparently, we were going to teach computers to understand English. Our avuncular – if prickly – professor, Roger Schank, explained that he had uncovered one of the fundamental aspects of human existence by discovering the structure of language understanding encoded within the mind. Our job was to translate that theory into computer code. Of course, we were doing so on a 16-bit predecessor of the IBM PC called a PDP-11/45, with a whopping 256 kilobytes of main memory. One afternoon, in the computer lab, with ten or more of us working on the system, it burst into flames. The idea that "when computers design buildings, the public will lose out" assumes that computational design replaces human architects rather than augmenting their capabilities. However, this view overlooks the potential benefits of computer-aided design in architecture. 1.Computers Enhance, Not Replace Human Creativity Computational tools allow architects to explore more innovative, efficient, and sustainable designs. Algorithms can generate optimized structures based on environmental factors, energy efficiency, and material sustainability, but human designers still provide the vision, context, and cultural sensitivity. 2.Greater Accessibility and Customization Parametric and AI-driven design can create more personalized and adaptable spaces, making architecture more responsive to the needs of individuals and communities rather than less. 3. Efficiency and Sustainability Computational design can reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and optimize structures for climate resilience. Rather than the public losing out, these advancements can lead to better, more cost effective, and environmentally friendly buildings. 4. Risk of Homogenization? A valid concern is that an over-reliance on algorithmic design could lead to uniformity or a loss of cultural identity. However, this depends on how technology is applied. If architects continue to lead the process, computers will serve as tools to enhance rather than dictate design outcomes. In summary, the real issue is not whether computers should design buildings, but how they are used. If controlled by human architects with an emphasis on creativity, ethics, and public interest, computational design can be a powerful force for good rather than a detriment