Co-sketchBIG · Enhancing architectural design creativity through semantic sketching via Human-GenAI collaboration

Recently, Generative AI (GenAI) tools have started to enter ideation activities. While they hold potential to accelerate and expand ideation, they are often overlooked by architects, despite a lack of dedicated ideation tools, due to misalignment with natural design activities, complex interfaces, and concerns about hindering creativity.This project aims to uncover key aspects of human–GenAI collaborative dynamics and gain insights into how designers ideate by analogy through reflexive conversations with AI-generated external representations. I propose a novel approach that frames GenAI as an active co-designer (proposing ideas through generated content) and studies the bidirectional flow of semantic information between human and AI.To support this, the project will develop techniques that allow GenAI to learn design intent, recognize semantic meaning, adapt to naturalistic design representations (including sketches), and operate under uncertainty, making it more robust, versatile, and aligned with creative design practices.Structured in three work packages, the project will: (i) characterize mechanisms of human–GenAI reflexive design conversations; (ii) address current limitations by developing a new computational approach for semantic sketch-based GenAI; and (iii) evaluate how this co-design process stimulates creative ideation and affects design outcomes.The project will also transfer knowledge to the host institution on collaborative and conversational design, while the researcher gains training in advanced AI and develops creativity evaluation metrics.By pushing the boundaries of ideation and enhancing creativity, this research will advance the development of GenAI tools that evolve with users, support (rather than replace) designers, and reveal the limitations and biases of such systems. Broader impacts include lowering barriers to architectural design, potentially making it more accessible and affordable.