The exciting world of architecture has been around in one way or another ever since civilization became a thing. The jump from cave to mud hut was far longer than the jump from a mud hut to a fifty-story skyscraper – and the thing that made this flip possible is technology.

Remember, pen and paper were once considered the pinnacle of architecture technology, and these days no architect uses them outside of sketching.

The world around us is designed in 3D modeling software before manifested in real environments. Anyone that knows anything about modern-day technology can tell you that it’s a thriving world – and below, we’ll talk about some of the most exciting developments that may change architecture for good.

Why Is Technology Important In Architecture?

Technology and architecture have always gone hand in hand. Not only does this relationship constantly work to forward architecture as a discipline, but it also creates a brand new demand for technology. In essence, technology enables architecture, and architecture is the reason why some technology continues to thrive.

These days, every architect has ditched their pen and paper for the digital modeling studio. Making your ideas come to life is far easier if you’re working in a digital environment.

Some people are insanely creative – they just don’t know how to express themselves on paper. Creativity shouldn’t be a luxury – it should be a right – and that’s why almost everyone can learn to design something in cutting-edge architecture software.

Outside of just enabling new generations of architects – the technology itself is evolving to brand new planes of existence, completely transforming industries in its wake.

It’s best expressed in how we view architecture at the moment and how we’ve viewed it in years gone by. The Empire State Building was conceptualized with pen-and-paper – if it were created today, it would be put in a simulated environment where people could explore it in stunning detail before construction ever began.

Technology is making architecture better as an industry, and as technology continues to evolve, so too will its role in reshaping architecture as we know it.

How Can Technology Help the Industry?

These days, architecture is more available than ever, and designing the buildings of your dreams has become that much easier.

New architects can express their ideas without needing formal training, and people can explore their creativity to the farthest possible extent. While you’re not likely going to land a gig designing the next skyscraper without a lot of formal education and experience – the availability of modern architecture software makes it so anyone can get interested in it.

As digital technologies advance, so too does the sophistication of architectural designs, as the prospects and possibilities continue to grow.

Outside of the architecture perspective, the technological advancements in rendering and 3D modeling technologies can serve a pivotal role in prototyping, marketing, and even sales.

Most architecture companies will have a full 3D tour of their project before it ever reaches the building phase, immersing prospects and clients in a never-before-seen way.

It’s made much better with the advent of AR and VR solutions that allow customers, prospects, and clients to explore the designs themselves in a realistic, 3D simulation – leaving a strong impression that lasts.

In essence, as technology continues to thrive and evolve, the exciting world of architecture will continue to grow and expand alongside it.

Why Everyone Needs to Adjust

People don’t like change, and that’s normal, but the situation is far more straightforward when it comes to architecture. There isn’t much choice – either change your practices to accommodate the latest and greatest that technology has to offer or miss out on a fantastic prospect.

The way technology changes architecture isn’t strictly a change – it’s almost always an improvement on something that already exists. Trends tend to become an industry standard soon after they’re released to the general public, and this means that as an architect, you’ll have to keep up with the times.

Think back to a couple of years ago – the only way to get your prospects and clients interested in your project was through Photoshopped stills and highly edited videos. While those could be something beautiful in their own right, they provide nowhere near as much immersion as, say, 3D VR simulations.

Remember, after conceptualizing a project, you had to draw the entire blueprint by hand? Well, these days, you can do so with a click of a button. Technology and architecture go hand in hand. With new advancements come new solutions that streamline, improve, and automate much of the labor that goes into designing, presenting, and selling an idea.

Who Benefits the Most?

Everyone benefits when technology and architecture come together. Architects benefit the most as it does their job that much better, easier, and enables them to create a far more intricate and complex project using the software.

Clients, prospects, and investors can benefit because they can have a far better insight into all the nooks and crannies of the project before it’s ever planned for construction. With 3D tours and VR becoming regular in architecture studios, non-architects can finally experience architectural projects in their full glory. They can have a general idea of what they’ll look like once they’re built in the real world.

Other teams involved with architects can benefit massively, too, as technological advancements allow for the procurement of top-shelf materials for things such as marketing and promotion.

In essence, everyone involved with architecture in any way can benefit from the relationship between architecture and technology.

Most Important Architecture Technologies

The evolution of architecture aside, more technologies are now available than ever before. Below, we’ll outline six of the most ambitious and promising technologies that may change the world of architecture for the better, for good.

1. 3D printers

3D printers have turned from a novelty into a necessity in more than a few industries. Packing a similar punch as more traditional milling and CNC machines, 3D printers are essential for presentation and prototyping.

Not only are their creation capabilities massive, but they can also produce prototypes and 3D models at a relatively fast pace at a relatively low price – making them ideal for architecture studios that want to make scale models of their projects.

Sometimes, VR simply doesn’t cut it, and there is nothing like an old-school diorama to show off just how impressive the building will look – and 3D printers do quick work of that.

Furthermore, you can use 3D printers in the construction process itself to create custom parts. Contrary to popular belief, 3D printers don’t necessarily have to work with plastics – and they’re already used to print high-end metal supercar parts. While we’re probably never going to 3D print buildings, 3D printing technology will become an industry standard for part creation and prototyping in no time at all.

2. VR applications

We’ve discussed the importance of aesthetics in this article, especially when presenting projects to prospects, clients, and investors. So far, there hasn’t been a better way to do so than through virtual reality.

Virtual reality started as a novelty, much like 3D printing. Still, as the technology behind it got more sophisticated, VR started to find its way into many-a industries, one of which has been architecture.

VR allows you to present any building, creation, or project to anyone in a way that they can fully understand. You can’t fault an average joe for not knowing how to read schematics and blueprints or not understanding how 3D stills work.

For the average joe, who might be a millionaire investor looking for their next investment, there is VR. VR gives people a familiar way to explore something, and if you do it right, you can captivate them like never before. VR is already slowly becoming an industry standard in architecture. As its capabilities continue on their positive growth spurt, we’ll likely be seeing them more and more around the world.

3. AR applications

AR has many applications, one of the more interesting of which is in the exciting field of architecture. AR can massively improve the world of architecture, as it serves an immense role in both the presentation and the design process.

It enhances the environment in which the object is placed, and it can enhance the object itself. AR improves the design based on a detailed algorithm that recognizes shapes, designs, and user input, allowing the simulation to respond according to the user exploring it.

It’s an exciting concept, and it is yet to reach its zenith – but when it does, it just might change how we present and design architecture projects.

4. 3D visualization tools

3D visualization tools have been the industry standard in architecture for years now. No longer are things created or presented in a 2D environment, as 3D allows us to view projects from all perspectives, experience all their nooks and crannies, and see any mistakes that might be hiding in 2D design.

3D visualization tools allow us to bring a building to life quite literally. Through industry-leading 3D visualization tools, architects can place their designs in real-life environments, allowing them to bring something to life before the construction phase ever begins.

With a little bit of lighting, some detailing, and a pinch of architecture magic – you can turn your design into something realistic, explorable, and attractive to prospects, clients, and investors.

5. The internet of things

IoT technology is slowly carving out its slice of the market, and as time goes by, new industries have started implementing IoT technologies in one way or the other. When it comes to architecture, IoT will serve a major role in how buildings are designed. While not aiding the presentation or design process itself, it is the primary technology that will lead us to the age of smart homes and smart buildings.

Architects are slowly basing their buildings around IoT solutions, leading to a new age of architecture – the smart and automated age.

6. Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence has changed the world in more than a couple of ways, and to say that it has changed architecture for the better would be an understatement. AI is well known for processing in 3D visualization, but it is also being used regularly to suggest modifications, solve problems, and improve the design of any project.

AI is whatever we make it, and while a semi-sentient AI doesn’t exist yet, AI specializing in architecture can revolutionize the industry. AI can streamline and automate parts of the design process – it can help present, light, and detail projects and pick the best angles for promotions.

AI is already a part of most commercial design software in one way or the other and helps streamline image processing, suggestions, and exporting – it’s just a matter of time before it starts improving, streamlining, and automating other parts of architecture well.

In Conclusion

Architecture is an industry that relies heavily on technology. As technology progresses, so too will architecture. On the other hand, creating living spaces also creates a demand for new technology and new solutions, meaning that the two exist in near-perfect unison.

Whatever the case may be, technology is advancing at a never-before-seen rate, and that reflects perfectly on architecture as well. We can already see “the next big thing” in architecture, and it’s one of (perhaps all) the exciting technologies listed above.

Make sure to remember this article and look back on it in a couple of years when these revolutionary technologies have become the industry standard.