After meticulous assessment of innovative submissions, winners have been announced for the AI in Practice Competition!
This international competition, organized by Parametric Architecture and sponsored by Studio Tim Fu, was set up to challenge architects and designers to imagine an iconic landmark within the heart of London- an architectural icon able to combine the city’s history with groundbreaking innovation through the functional use of artificial intelligence.
The competition challenged participants to conceptualize designs that would, at the same time, be a testimony to the cultural legacy of London and a symbol of modern technological advancement. The entries were expected to make use of AI in the workflow, making sure to present originality, feasibility, and seamless integration with the urban fabric.
The winning proposals leaned towards an approach of the following criteria:
- Design & Aesthetics: Visually appealing, consistent architectural language.
- Feasibility & Realism: Practicality and constructability in a London context.
- AI Workflow Innovation: Innovative use of AI tools that effectively contributes to the design process.
- Originality: Fresh, unique, and inventive concepts.
- Adherence to Brief: Strong, close adherence to the competition’s brief and vision.
The “AI in Practice Competition” not only aimed to highlight innovation but also to explore how the processes enabled by AI can drastically change architecture-from creativity and efficiency to the limits of design thinking.
AI in Practice Competition – Awards and Prizes
1st Place:
- $2,200Cash Prize.
- Featured publication on the PA website and social media platforms.
- Certificate of Participation.
2nd Place:
- $1,300 Cash Prize.
- Featured publication on the PA website and social media platforms.
- Certificate of Participation.
3rd Place:
- $900 Cash Prize.
- Featured publication on the PA website and social media platforms.
- Certificate of Participation.
3 Honorable Mentions:
- $200 Cash Prize.
- Featured publication on the PA website and social media platforms.
- Certificate of Participation.
Internship and Employment at Studio Tim Fu:
STF will selectively approach winners for internships and potential employment opportunities.
Here are the winners and honorable mentions of the AI in Practice Competition. Congratulations to all the participants!
1st Place – Elahe Mahani
Project Name: LONDON ARCH
The project aims to create a new landmark that reflects London’s architectural heritage while embracing innovation and modernity. The design process began with a study of London’s long-established landmarks, focusing on their design concepts and materiality. Through extensive research and experimentation with AI tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, the vision was refined, leading to a symmetrical tower made of two main parts that join at the top to form a giant voided Roman arch. The choice of materiality for the building includes limestone cladding, a stone commonly found in London’s iconic structures. In line with modernist principles, the design incorporates raw geometric forms, eschewing ornamentation, with expansive top-to-bottom windows.
The concept evolved further into a tower with an arch-shaped void at its center, through which a main road passes. The design’s general idea was solidified, but the next step was to define its functionality and place it within an appropriate location. The building was conceived as a mixed-use tower, featuring a retail podium at street level, public exhibition spaces in the middle, and private specialized studios on the upper floors. This suggested a location in one of central London’s quieter, more cultured areas, allowing the building to integrate harmoniously with its surroundings while serving as a central focal point. The precise location, however, remains suggestive.
For the interiors, the project aims to design modern and functional spaces that reflect the character and heritage of London’s architecture. The design process involved layering the desired composition, utilizing both Stable Diffusion and Midjourney to create consistent imagery in terms of lighting, materiality, and overall concept.
2nd Place – Weronika Wnukowska
Project Name: THE REFLECTIVE TOWER
This project demonstrates a workflow that integrates architects’ input from the beginning, rooted in site-specific analysis. The chosen location near Liverpool Street Station in London—a central, historic, and culturally vibrant area-highlights the importance of context. Though primarily conceptual, the project aims to bridge creativity with realism, illustrating how design can evolve from site analysis to a fully developed concept.
After understanding the site, various architectural styles were explored, blending modernity with environmental sensitivity. AI tools, including Midjourney, were used to generate visual inspiration, helping refine the design’s aesthetic and conceptual goals.
The next phase focused on experimenting with different volumes and forms, testing spatial constraints and refining the building’s shape. After multiple iterations and design tests, the final concept was established, integrating the building into the site seamlessly. The project ultimately illustrates how AI can enhance the design process, allowing for rapid exploration and refinement while maintaining a strong connection to the architectural context.
3rd Place – Ardavan Shirzadi
Project Name: IVORY TOWER
The chosen site, with a total area of 1900 sqm, is next to Fishmongers’ Hall in London Central. The site was selected to provide a context for the landmark to be seen and have heritage references. The site selection process involved
discussing with ChatGPT to explore potential design considerations and opportunities.
The aim of this project is to design a high-rise, mixed-use( residential and commercial) building on Swan Lane, London, that harmonizes with its heritage surroundings, especially Fishmongers’ Hall, through form and materiality, while also reflecting its contemporary era by incorporating innovative technologies. The building will be optimized for energy efficiency, balancing modern sustainability with respect for the site’s historical context.
To enhance the building’s integration with its context, several arches inspired by Fishmongers’ Hall’s arches on the ground floor were generated for the ground floor façade using Midjourney. These 2D images were then converted into 3D models using Meshy, making them usable in the overall 3D design. The upper levels’ façade features a parametric shading system made of Portland stone, with oval shapes on the lower floors gradually transitioning to more rectangular shapes on the higher floors.
To make the connection between the interior space of the building and the architectural heritage of the context, Images of Fishmongers’ Hall’s interior spaces were used as references in Midjourney, and by adding specific text prompts, the following images were generated.
Honorable Mentions:
Samaher Abouauf
Project Name: THE CATALYST TOWER
Catalyst Tower fuses London’s heritage with modern innovation, featuring a base of warm, tactile materials that invite touch and connection. Its interactive facade responds to movement, glowing and shifting as people pass by,
making the tower feel alive. Curving forms create intimate public spaces below, while its twisting silhouette above symbolizes the dynamic, ever-evolving spirit of London.
Anastasiia Luzgina
Project Name: URBAN JUNGLE
In a city where the urban landscape constantly evolves, London’s architectural identity is shaped by a deep respect for its heritage and an ever-growing drive for innovation. With rapid urbanization, the percentage of green spaces has seen a decline, provoking environmental concerns about the connection between city dwellers and nature.
This project reclaims that lost connection by creating a living ecosystem in the heart of the city. Inspired by the British love of nature and gardening, the building reflects a tradition where many tend their gardens with care, and visit country houses and parks is a beloved pastime. The structure, primarily wood, emphasizes the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
The project’s typology features two towers divided by a shared garden, forming a central communal space. Hundreds of terraces and gardens cover the building, cascading down like natural cliff edges, evoking the verticality of trees in a forest. These green spaces serve as extensions of the natural world, providing residents with an escape from the concrete jungle and a place to reconnect with nature. This tower is not just a building; it is a landmark that embodies the dynamic spirit of London—where nature, tradition, and innovation coexist in perfect harmony.
Michele Cobelli
Project Name: SYMBIOSIS: REIMAGINING URBAN LIVING
In a city like London, where the challenge of pollution is ever-present, this project seeks to redefine how architecture can actively contribute to creating a healthier, more sustainable urban ecosystem without alienating the existing cityscape. Rather than imposing a stark contrast to the historical fabric of London, the design of this building embraces the surrounding environment, reflecting and dialoguing with the city in both a literal and conceptual sense.
The core concept revolves around integration, connection, and regeneration. At its heart, the building functions as more than just a structure—it becomes an ecosystem in itself, fostering a sustainable lifestyle for the residents
while seamlessly blending with the dense urban context. Its form, reminiscent of a blossoming flower, symbolically and functionally opens up toward the sky, embracing natural light and air circulation while creating a dialogue with the surrounding city.
The building’s design focuses on harmonizing three key areas of the site: the River Thames, representing a natural element and historical axis of London, the Tate Modern Museum, a cultural landmark symbolizing innovation and art and a potential greenfield area for urban regeneration as a public green space. These three urban anchors are connected through a dynamic architectural form that draws movement and circulation from these focal points into the central courtyard—a lush green oasis that contrasts with the surrounding urban landscape, providing residents and visitors with an immersive, nature-infused experience.
The competition would display the transformation capabilities of AI in the architecture world. Technologies such as Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and ChatGPT allowed participants to Generate inspirational visuals and design iterations rapidly, Test forms and materials with precision, and seamlessly Explore the world of parametric and generative design.
In architecture, AI affords deeper experimentation while maintaining context-sensitive and human-centric designs. The competition has become more of a beacon of how AI can foster innovation, creativity, and sustainability in the built environment. To learn more about AI’s capabilities and the most advanced tools in architecture from pioneering architects and designers, visit the PAACADEMY website and join our vibrant community!
