The AI revolution has been disrupting all creative industries in ways that might have been unimaginable merely a few years ago, and architecture is no exception.

From task automation to generating design options, AI can solve countless pain points for architects around the world, while also optimizing projects for factors such as energy efficiency, structural integrity, and occupant comfort.

While some pessimistic views about the future of architecture as a profession in an AI-driven world are present within the industry, the following surrealistic designs prove that AI can be an assistant to architects for amplifying creativity, efficiency, and optimization while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

“Most” Upcoming Projects by Zaha Hadid Architects

Surrealism is an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its exploration of the irrational, dreamlike, and fantastical aspects of the human psyche. In the realm of architecture, no company has been associated with boundary-pushing surrealism quite like the late icon Zaha Hadid and her company, Zaha Hadid Architects.

Earlier this year, Patrik Schumacher, the principal of Zaha Hadid Architects, acknowledged that the company is using AI tools such as DALL-E and Midjourney to develop “most” of its projects.

This includes the designs for Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, as well as some of the projects for the Neom project in Saudi Arabia.

Symbiotic Apartments by Manas Bhatia

Manas Bhatia, an Indian architect and computational designer, has harnessed the capabilities of the AI tool Midjourney to craft imaginative architectural ideas with a surreal twist.

Bhatia’s symbiotic architectural apartment towers look like giant hollow redwood trees. The towers are designed to be self-sufficient, with rooftop gardens that provide food for the residents and solar panels that generate electricity.

Gardens of Babylon Reimagined by BAA Architects

This project by BAA Architects is a design concept for a round city in Baghdad featuring Islamic architecture. It uses new technology, AI Photo Generator, to create organic masses that connect together creating a future city of hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Minarets that ascend into the sky through the fusion of geometric design, forest elements, and a water feature serves to amplify humanity’s creative potential.

AI-Generated Skateparks in Paris by ūti architectes

This project by ūti architectes is a design concept for a skatepark that blends with the shapes of the urban fabric of Paris.

The architects commented on this design, which was developed with the help of Midjourney: “Through a process of back and forth iterations with Midjourney, we obtained a collection of quasi-tangible spaces. Having grown up in Paris with the culture of skateboarding, which is deeply rooted in certain iconic places, it was an opportunity to explore and take a new look at Paris as an architect.”

Surrealist Romanticism: A Tribute to an Eric Clapton Song

Jennifer Haider Chowdhury of J’s Archistry has designed a building as a tribute to a beloved Eric Clapton song, Wonderful Tonight, which’s heartfelt lyrics express admiration and affection for a romantic partner.

Also created with assistance from Midjourney, the architectural design of this building, characterized by its sinuous, contorted, swirling, and stratified shapes, mirrors the enchanting cadence found in this song, setting a fairy-tale ambiance for a romantic and delightful couple.