What You Really Need to Know Before You Start Using AI: AI Fundamentals for Architects
Understanding tools and the evolving grammar of collaboration in a multi-modal world. Learn the foundations of AI in Architecture the right way-with intent.
When AI first knocked on the door of architectural practice, it was polite. Conversational. It answered when asked.
Large Language Models like ChatGPT entered our world as thinking partners—tools to structure, summarise, and synthesise. Then came the wave of diffusion models. Suddenly, words could become images. Moodboards were generated in seconds. And now, we've stepped into something deeper, stranger: a terrain of ControlNet, multi-modal agents, MCPs—where diagrams, sketches, movement, and meaning converge in a single act of computation.
But amidst all the speed and scale, a quieter truth has emerged:
It’s not about knowing the tools—it’s about knowing how they think.
This is the essence behind AI Fundamentals for Architects.
Not a tutorial. Not a trend. But a new way to see the design process itself, through the cognitive behaviours of intelligent systems.
Why No Single AI Can Do It All
Imagine asking a lighting expert to design a floor plan. They might try, but it won’t be great.
The same is true for AI tools. Each one is trained to do something specific:
ChatGPT: Thinks in words. Great for briefs, stories, and questions.
Midjourney: Thinks in images. Great for moodboards and visual brainstorming of concepts.
Runway: Turn scenes into videos. Great for walkthroughs.
The ecosystem is fragmented because design is layered.
AI Fundamentals teaches how to match the right tool to the task. Like choosing the right pen for the right line.
Why Midjourney Gives You a Different Image Every Time -And Why That’s Not a Bug.
Midjourney generates something different every time you hit 'enter'. Even with the same prompt. Why?
The answer is simple. Midjourney doesn’t search for images. It creates them from scratch each time using something called diffusion.
It’s like having an artist who paints your idea from imagination. Even if you ask for the same thing again, the strokes might differ.
To control this, we use something called a seed—a hidden number that sets the starting point. If you keep the seed the same, the result stays consistent.
This is not randomness. This is variation—an invitation to iterate.
In AI Fundamentals, we teach:
How to use seeds for visual consistency
How to introduce structured randomness for exploration
How to move from one good image to ten great ones without losing control
Learning to work with generative chaos is what makes AI a true design partner—not a vending machine.
Why You Must Speak Differently to ChatGPT and Midjourney
Would you give the same instruction to a computer programmer and a poet?
ChatGPT responds to structure, tone, and logic. It wants clarity. Midjourney responds to weighted keywords and visual associations. It wants poetry. ControlNet responds to geometry, poses, and masks. It wants visuals.
Imagine speaking to a poet, an architect, a computer engineer, and a dancer—using the same script. You’ll confuse at least two.
That’s why prompt literacy isn’t about writing better commands. It’s about understanding the listener.
In our sessions, we show how the same idea changes when spoken in different languages—words, images, or drawings.
The Tools We Recommend Starting With
You don’t need a hundred apps to get started. But you do need a map.
To explore these tools more visually and contextually, check out our curated Substack post: It breaks down where each tool shines and how to integrate them into your everyday design process.
What Happened in Bangalore
On the 27th, we hosted 50+ architects and designers for a full-day, in-person session. It was more than a workshop. It was a collective shift in mindset.
From prompts to perceptions, what people walked away with wasn’t just better tools—it was a better understanding of their own creative process in the age of intelligent machines.
What They Made: Reflections Through Output
A curated glimpse into the workshop outcomes—AI-driven concepts, cinematic walkthroughs, and design sketches that capture the dialogue between human intuition and machine thinking.
We’re now planning our next cities.
And this is where you come in.
What AI Fundamentals for Architects and Designers Really Teaches
This isn’t a boot camp. It’s a mindset shift—framed across four focused modules.
Module 1 introduces AI’s evolving role in design.
Modules 2 & 3 cover key tools like LLMs and diffusion models, followed by 10+ hands-on exercises—from concept prompts to sketch-based workflows.
Module 4 opens the floor for reflection, critique, and deeper questions.
It’s not about learning tools. It’s about learning how to think with them—so design becomes more fluid, intentional, and future-ready.
Want This in Your City?
We’re planning our next cities now. If you want us to bring AI Fundamentals to your school, studio, or city:
👉 Register your interest here so we can plan a workshop near you.
👉 Check out our Gumroad resources for free prompt templates and AI design manuals.
👉 Follow RBDS AI Lab on Instagram for updates, behind-the-scenes, and tool breakdowns.
This isn’t about AI replacing designers. It’s about becoming a better designer by understanding how AI sees the world.
At RBDSai Lab, we are constantly exploring the intersection of AI and design thinking. If this article sparked questions, let’s continue the conversation. Reply with your thoughts or share this with someone who needs to read it.
If you’re an architect or interior designer in India looking to integrate AI into your workflow—not just as a gimmick, but as a philosophy—let’s talk.
Stay curious, stay sceptical, and keep designing. The best ideas are still ahead.
I’m Sahil Tanveer of the RBDSai Lab, signing off for the week. I promote, consult, and apply AI for Architects along with my Architecture and Design Studio, RBDS. If you liked this Substack,
You will love my book, DELIRIOUS ARCHITECTURE: Midjourney for Architects. It is a 330-page hardcover showcasing the potential of AI in Architectural Design. It is available on Amazon worldwide.
You can bend your minds with our WhatsApp channel AI IN ARCHITECTURE where we talk about AI and its impact on us and the built environment.
You can consult with us on AI for your architecture studio. We have multiple levels of learning and integration, from a beginner’s session to the AIMM Assessment and beyond. Get in touch with us at sahil@rbdsailab.com or check out our page www.rbdsailab.com
I’m talking about AI. Our team is set to visit key cities of India for architectural conferences, Podcasts and exclusive student interactions at architecture schools. We’d love to come over for an engaging meetup, hands-on workshop, or a creative collab. Enquiries to sahil@rbdsailab.com