Painted Parlours: New Classical Interiors Re-Imagined Through AI as a Fictional Hotel

Very quickly, artificial intelligence (AI) has surged in influence, though its roots trace back to the integration of AI into Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs in the 1970s (Mazzone and Elgammal). A contemporary challenge faced by creative industries is the arrival of text-to-image technology, which is perceived as a potential threat to creative industries. The concern revolves around the fear of losing control, as there is a prevailing belief that AI could eventually render certain design jobs obsolete. However, at this stage in AI’s evolution this idea of control is still reachable.

In the methodology, an integrated approach is adopted, utilizing methods such as description, bricolage, and watercolour to offer users a heightened sense of control. Description emerges as a requirement in the process, guiding the text-image software. It is imperative that the language used in the description be both clear and concise to effectively convey the envisioned ideas, to attempt a seamless translation into an image. The decision to employ New Classical architectural language as a testing ground for the AI’s capabilities stems from the languages and aspects of the style, establishing a foundation for the project.

Bricolage, a creative act involving the construction of something from a diverse range of elements, is strategically applied in the context of AI (Roberts, 2018). This method is to take specific areas of the images generated by the AI and transform them into customized elements shaped by creative input. By integrating bricolage, a sense of control is given to the creative process as well as a sense of ownership over the AI-generated content.

Watercolour is used as a presentation tool, utilising its ability to smooth out potential inconsistencies in the AI-generated visuals. This medium not only serves a practical purpose in refining the output but also contributes to humanising the results. By infusing the project with a watercolour aesthetic, a sense of atmosphere and emotion is involved with subjective qualities inherent in human creativity. Through this fusion of methods, the research strives to not only harness AI as a tool but also to facilitate a collaboration between artificial intelligence and human imagination within the design field.

The many tests and results from the chosen methodology have showed the capabilities and the weaknesses of AI. Issues surfaced that stemmed from the lack of knowledge the software has of spatial awareness. There were problems with perspective and spatial grandeur that were simply lacking in the resulting images. Certain language and terminology that the technology didn’t register for example the bathroom, after many attempts to leave out a bath by using different terminologies and simply saying ‘no bath’, the results still maintained baths. After experimenting with the technology across different rooms of the hotel, the lobby had the most potential for showcasing its capabilities. The decision to focus on the lobby was driven by its attributes, with a specific interest in highlighting certain components within the space. Acknowledging AI’s limited awareness of materiality, an intentional effort was made to single out elements within the room. This approach aimed to examine how these components could be crafted, addressing the challenges posed by the AI’s lack of contextual understanding. The goal was to ensure a more refined and accurate representation of the hotel’s design in this project.

Despite encountering challenges with both the quality and certain aspects of the images produced by the text-image software, its potential as a valuable tool remains significant. The methodology outlined in this study represents just one among numerous ways in which this software could complement and enhance the work of designers, rather than acting as a threat. As a relatively promising tool, the text-image software is expected to undergo continuous evolution. This prompts a crucial question about the trajectory of the design industry and its willingness to evolve alongside this emerging technology.