Timo Kapsalis (2026) — (Independent). arXiv:2605.21361 [cs.HC] — Submitted to Journal of Architectural Education
Kapsalis (2026) presents one of the first empirical studies of generative AI integration in architectural design education, using a locally executed, discipline-specific tool within a mixed-methods focus-group design. The study addresses three objectives: creativity impact, inclusivity enhancement, and employability preparation. Results showed enhanced creative fluency, broadened participation across diverse learner profiles, and strengthened student confidence in AI-supported workflows.
This work extends the generative-ai education literature beyond text-based domains (coding, writing) into visual-spatial design disciplines. The finding that gen-AI tools broadened participation is particularly significant for inclusive-ai research — students who traditionally struggled with manual drafting or 3D modeling gained new entry points. This connects to ai-literacy discussions about AI as an accessibility tool and personalized-learning frameworks that emphasize multiple pathways to competence.
The emphasis on locally executed (non-cloud) AI is also noteworthy for educational-measurement and privacy-conscious deployment. The study operationalizes constructivist principles by positioning AI as a tool for learner-led meaning-making within human-AI networks. For faculty-development, the paper provides evidence-based guidance on gen-AI integration in studio-based disciplines, an area where the ai-k12-evidence-base and related literature have been thin.
Related Pages
- generative-ai — related
- ai-literacy — related
- inclusive-ai — related
- personalized-learning — related
- faculty-development — related
- ai-k12-evidence-base — related
- student-experience — related
- creative-thinking — related
- professional-training — related
Citation
APA: Timo Kapsalis (2026). Gen-AI-tecture: using generative AI to support architectural students in design tasks. arXiv:2605.21361. arXiv:2605.21361 [cs.HC] — Submitted to Journal of Architectural Education.