NEWS

November, 2024

The (Knit)Scape  received an Honorable Design Award form the  Whatcom Housing Alliance for the Middle Housing Design Competition.  

October, 2024

RGA Atelier is honored to be among the recipients of the SARA AI National Design Award, presented by the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) and ArkDesign.AI. 

1. Briefly describe your award-winning architectural project:

 Our project focuses on the adaptive reuse of Seattle Tower, an iconic Art-Deco skyscraper in downtown Seattle. We transformed this historic office structure into a mixed-use residential development, addressing the city’s post-COVID office vacancies and the increasing demand for housing. The design celebrates architectural heritage while integrating modern living spaces, revitalizing an urban landmark. Partnering together, architects, developers, and cities can turn vacant offices into vibrant mixed-use communities, creating investment opportunities and improving the overall quality of life in the downtown area.

2. What were the key design goals and challenges?

 Our primary goal was to preserve the building’s Art-Deco charm while converting it into efficient, modern residential units. We also aimed to maximize the building’s potential for mixed-use functionality, including retail spaces and resident amenities. One of the biggest challenges was working within the constraints of the existing office structure, such as floor plate depth, core configuration, and building systems while minimizing disruption to the landmark’s exterior appearance. At the same time, we had to ensure the layout met contemporary residential needs and complied with the residential code requirements.

3. How did AI play a role in the development of your winning design?

ArkDesign.AI, played a critical role in optimizing the layout and unit mix. By using AI, we were able to quickly generate schematic floor plans that balanced the building’s structural constraints with the diverse needs of future residents. This allowed us to explore multiple design iterations in a fraction of the time, improving efficiency and precision in decision-making.

4. Can you share a specific example of how AI helped you overcome a design challenge or improve your project?

One key challenge was optimizing the placement and layout of 242 residential units across 21 floors within 4 different floor plates while ensuring a balanced mix of studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom units. Using ArkDesign.AI, we were able to generate multiple design options rapidly and refine the configurations to maximize the building’s efficiency. The AI-generated report provided us with detailed analysis, showing that our design was aligned with the developer's vision. These insights allowed us to ensure the unit mix, layout, and overall design met both market needs and the project’s financial goals. By automating these iterations, we saved significant time, enabling us to focus more on the creative and functional aspects of the project.

5. What advice would you give to other architects considering using AI tools in their workflow?

Don’t be afraid to incorporate AI into your workflow—it’s a powerful tool for automating complex tasks, freeing you to focus on the creative aspects of design. AI can help you explore more design possibilities faster, ensuring you can deliver smarter, data-driven solutions for your clients early in the design phase. However, it’s essential to see AI as an aid, not a replacement; human intuition and creativity still play a crucial role in achieving the best architectural outcomes.