Using AI in Architecture: Exploring MidJourney
As an architect constantly exploring new frontiers in design, the introduction of AI tools like MidJourney has been a game-changer in our workflow. This AI-driven image generator allows me to visualize concepts quickly and experiment with ideas that might otherwise take hours, if not days, to render manually. Itâs like having an assistant who can bring your abstract thoughts to life in secondsâbut, of course, it has its quirks. In this post, I want to take you through how I use MidJourney as a design tool, share some prompt-writing tips, discuss creative âaberrations,â and offer advice to make the most out of this powerful AI tool.
Why Use MidJourney?
MidJourney allows architects and designers to prototype ideas in minutes. You simply input textâcalled a âpromptââand the AI generates images based on the description. Whether itâs exploring new architectural styles, material compositions, or entire site layouts, MidJourney can visualize concepts rapidly, offering endless creative possibilities. For me, it helps bridge the gap between conceptual design and reality, making it easier to communicate ideas to clients, who often struggle to visualize raw sketches or technical drawings.
Prompt used: “Moodboard showcasing, a mediterranean rustic material board with natural stone, dark wood, pale-blue fabric, patterned tiles, cinnamon color details and brass details, soft morning glow”
The Art of the Prompt: Writing a âRecipeâ
The beauty of MidJourney lies in the prompts, which act as the ârecipeâ for your visual outcome. While it may seem simple to type a few descriptive words, crafting an effective prompt requires nuance. I treat prompt creation like writing a brief for a design competitionâconcise, clear, and intentional.
Here are a few elements I consider when crafting my prompts:
- Style & Aesthetic: Be specific about the style you want, such as âbrutalist,â âminimalist,â or âScandinavian-inspired.â If I want a modern facade, I might use a prompt like:
Minimalist, cantilevered structure with large glass panels, surrounded by lush greenery, brutalist concrete textures.
- Materials & Lighting: Mention specific materials and lighting conditions to guide the AIâs interpretation. For instance:
Polished steel frames, matte black stone cladding, diffused ambient lighting.
- Context: Include environmental details to contextualize the building. A simple prompt like âurbanâ or âcoastalâ changes the entire vibe of a design:
Urban infill project, located in a dense city center, with green rooftop and sustainable materials.
- Details & Features: If there are key architectural features you want to see, include those. It could be skylights, courtyards, or floating staircases.
Spiral staircase with glass balustrades, expansive skylight bringing in natural light, flowing interiors.
The trick is finding a balance between too much detail (which may confuse the AI) and not enough detail (resulting in generic or uninspiring outcomes). I experiment with different ârecipesâ until I find the sweet spot that aligns with my vision.
Aberrations: When Things Go Off-Script
One of the most fascinating aspects of MidJourney is the unexpected outcomes, or what I like to call âaberrations.â Sometimes, despite your best prompt efforts, the AI produces something entirely different from what you imagined. And often, these deviations are where the magic happens.
For instance, I once entered a prompt for a minimalist interior concept and ended up with a bizarre combination of soft organic shapes, reminiscent of natural cave formations. While this wasnât what I was going for, the image sparked a new direction for a future design. These happy accidents provide inspiration for pushing design boundaries, introducing forms and patterns I might never have considered on my own.
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Tips for Optimizing Your Use of MidJourney
Iterate, Donât Settle: The first few images may not hit the mark, but thatâs part of the process. Fine-tune your prompt by adding or removing elements until the output matches your vision.
- Start Broad, Refine Later: Begin with a broad concept and refine your prompts as you go. For example, start with a general description like âfuturistic high-rise buildingâ and then add specific elements like âangular glass facadesâ or âparametric designâ to hone in on the details.
- Embrace Variations: Use MidJourneyâs ability to generate multiple versions of an image. I often create multiple variations from a single prompt to explore different architectural approaches simultaneously. Itâs like having a brainstorming session, where the AI suggests alternative design routes.
- Incorporate Real-World Constraints: While itâs tempting to dive into fantastical designs, grounding your prompts in real-world architectural principlesâsuch as load-bearing walls or sustainable materialsâcan help create more usable, practical designs. This also ensures that the AI-generated designs remain feasible, bridging the gap between conceptual aesthetics and functional structures.
- Collaborate with AI, Donât Rely on It: MidJourney is a tool, not a designer. While it can generate stunning visuals, it doesnât understand design challenges like site context, human scale, or function. As an architect, I use MidJourney as an assistant to spark new ideas, but I always ensure that the final designs adhere to architectural best practices and meet the projectâs specific needs.
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Where AI Fits in Our Workflow
I see MidJourney as part of a larger design ecosystem. It complements traditional tools like Rayon or Archicad, helping me brainstorm and visualize ideas faster. When combined with AI tools for technical documentation and design revisions, such as Archicadâs AI Visualizer, my process is streamlined from early concept to completion.
In our practice, I often use MidJourney in the conceptual design phase. Itâs ideal for generating multiple visual directions that I can then refine in more detailed CAD or BIM software. Whether itâs experimenting with facade treatments or developing interior concepts, MidJourney accelerates the process, making it easier to present compelling ideas to clients early in the project.
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Conclusion: AI as a Partner in Design
AI tools like MidJourney have opened up an entirely new dimension in architectural design. They allow for faster ideation, experimentation with materials and forms, and a broadened creative perspective. The key is to see AI not as a replacement but as a partnerâa tool that enhances creativity while freeing up time for architects to focus on the deeper aspects of design.
If you havenât yet explored using MidJourney in your practice, I highly recommend giving it a try. Not only does it help with visualization, but it also brings an element of surprise to the design processâleading you to unexpected and, often, extraordinary outcomes.
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