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Unit of study_
ARCH9009: Architectural Design and AI
2026 unit information
This postgraduate unit introduces students to the emerging role of artificial intelligence in architectural design. It examines how large language models and other AI tools can accelerate the design process. AI will not replace architectural practice, but is progressively augmenting and reshaping it. Students will explore methods of integrating AI into their workflows, with particular attention to the unusual strengths of these technologies in generating, transforming, and critiquing design ideas. The unit develops skills in prompt-craft, critical evaluation of AI output, and the construction of hybrid design workflows that balance computational capacity with architectural judgment. Emphasis is placed on both the opportunities and limitations of AI, encouraging students to test new approaches while maintaining a reflective and critical stance. Teaching and learning are structured around two components: a design project, in which students propose architectural outcomes through AI-driven processes; and a research component, which situates these outcomes within broader debates about technology, creativity, and architectural practice. By the end of the unit, students will be able to articulate and demonstrate how AI can both complement and challenge conventional modes of architectural design, equipping them to engage with a rapidly changing professional landscape.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Architecture |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Apply an advanced familiarity with the opportunities of Generative-AI to the problems of architectural design, representation, and ability to design projects.
- LO2. Critically interpret an architectural brief for a building, and devise an imaginative and plausible response.
- LO3. Lead and collaborate within a studio setting, showing initiative and responsibility for design direction and outcomes.
- LO4. 4. Synthesise and evaluate feedback from peers and experts to strategically refine design solutions.
- LO5. Evaluate opportunities for Gen AI in Architectural design workflows, and create a proposal for a new implementation.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Intensive January - February 2026
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
There are no availabilities for previous years.
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
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