For years, the tech industry has utilized certain expressions that sound familiar to architects, for instance data engineering, digital infrastructure, and software architecture. Meanwhile, as UX design is the new frontier of the internet age, there are many ‘buzzwords’ architects tend to borrow from UX design vocabulary, such as dynamic, hub, agile, incubator, and scalable.

Being one of the oldest design practices, many concepts developed in architecture translate well to UX design. Here are some:

• Accessibility

For UX design, this means being accessible across different platforms and devices. For architecture, it means providing an inclusive environment for all humans for maximum public benefit.

• Affordance

In UX design, affordance is “a property or feature of an object which presents a prompt on what can be done with this object,” (Myhill, 2019) which can translate to the architectural principle of “form follow function.” (Sullivan, 1896)

• Truth to materials

The architectural tenet of truth to materials can also apply to UX design. It can be seen in the recent internet trend of “flat design.” (WORKBEE)

Starting with research and gathering information

The architectural process starts with studying the urban context, spatial demands, and how users interact with the building. When the client doesn’t have a clear idea of what the building program is, the design process can start with goal setting sections to help the client understand the functional needs.

The starting point for UX designers is similar. It also starts with researching to collect data, understanding the client’s requirements, carrying out user interviews, and establishing the business criteria for the product itself.

Practicing the visualization of ideas

UX designers use wireframing to map out the overall design concept, which leads to a prototype, a minimum viable product (MVP) that can be used and tested.

In architecture, the design process typically starts with space diagrams and sketches. Then, architects present the design concept through rendered images and test-fit plans, material boards, physical models, and sometimes 1:1 mockups.

Impact of other trades

Although sometimes the lines are blurred, UX designers often work with User Interface (UI) designers while architects work with interior designers. Because UI design and interior design control the visual, texture and other immediate impression elements of the project, UX design and architecture are greatly impacted by them. As a result, UX designers and architects should employ efficient communication during the design phase with UI and interior designers, while always advocating for the users.

Agile process vs. Waterfall method[1]

UX Design works in an Agile process for product development, which is a process that flows through many iterations of prototyping and testing. In comparison, the traditional architectural practice resembles the waterfall method, in which the client’s feedback gets incorporated through each design meeting. However, as the design moves through SD, DD, CD, and the permit and bid process, the ability to make changes becomes progressively less flexible. Adopting a true Agile process for architectural practice remains challenging, even though the project design team would meet with the client and end-user representative regularly to incorporate as much user feedback as possible. For most projects, architects don’t have the opportunity to build a “test run” before the project gets its final rollout.  This is due to the reality that building construction is a high-cost endeavor, and some complex projects can take years to build.

[1] Understanding the Differences Between Agile and Waterfall;

• Have the user’s needs at the front and center.
• Treat built environments as an extension of the online experience, for instance, the ‘in real life’ (IRL) stores of the digital native brands.

Dilution or Collaboration:

We are now living in a world of individuality and social influence. Architectural design has shifted from a pre-20th century practice of designing a physical space to focusing on the individual human experience.

“Over the last two decades, the construction industry has been subject to dramatic changes, paving the way for a future in which traditional spatial concepts are no longer valid. Now, compost is being used for building materials, crowdfunding and collaborative design have become increasingly popular approaches to architectural projects, there is a focus on the importance of green infrastructure and energy efficiency, and the line between private and public space is becoming increasingly blurred. It is not a secret that technology has accelerated at an incredible pace!” (TMD Studio LTD, 2017)

Is emerging technology diluting the purity of the architecture design profession or encouraging more cross-discipline collaborations?

In the past three years, there has been a surge in architecture firms creating or acquiring creative tech design studios, or doing both. Some examples include: Gensler’s Digital Experience Design (dxd) department, KPF’s Innovation lab, LAB at Rockwell Group, and NBBJ’s recent acquirement of ESI design studio.

As incorporated by those influential design studios, the digital user experience design will have more presence in 3D. Collaboration with different trades will become a requirement, not just an option.

Digital Immersive Spatial Experience:

Remember when ‘parametric design’ was the buzzword in the architecture industry? Some architects chose to dive deep into the parametric world, while many scoffed at the poor construction results. The majority, however, didn’t truly understand the logic and true value of the parametric system. In recent years, the buzzwords have become ‘AR, VR, MR, XR’ and ‘artificial intelligence.’ Many saw them as another trend that comes and goes, but this time there was a catch. The education system and social media have caught up. We now have an entire generation of future mainstream designers who have not only heard of these terms but have also studied and used it. This time, digital technology is ahead and more advanced. It is safe to say that parametric design is not only here to stay but also to play a bigger role in the future of design.

In addition, the internet world has been playing an increasingly important role, especially during the 2020 pandemic lockdown. Virtual travel, 360-degree tours, and digital hangouts have rapidly gained traction. How will architects, the experts of spatial design, provide their expertise to users?

As physical space becomes more scarce and the world shifts from the physical to the digital experience, the architectural design practice will take on a different path. As a result, new design guidelines will need to consider both architecture and UX practices.

Big Data and Artificial Intelligence:

In many ways, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and UX are created with the same purpose: both are designed to interpret human behavior and anticipate what someone might do next. Predictive analytics is at the foundation of the two, and this intersection creates an opportunity for both companies and customers. AI improves UX by creating stronger human connections.

For a long time, the complexity of architectural design has been almost immune to AI penetration. However, as we keep educating, encouraging cross-discipline collaboration, collecting and scientifically analyzing building data, AI will be able to contribute to the industry. To date, there are a few signs of  AI contributions. In 2019, a group of Harvard design students chose AI and architecture as their thesis.

“Our work proposes to evidence this promise when applied to the built environment. Specifically, we offer to apply AI to floor plans analysis and generation. Our ultimate goal is three-fold: (1) to generate floor plans i.e. optimize the generation of a large and highly diverse quantity of floor plan designs, (2) to qualify floor plans i.e. offer a proper classification methodology (3) to allow users to “browse” through generated design options.” (Chaillou & Française, 2019)

Another example is a generative tool called Finch3D developed by Swedish architect Jasper Wallgren. It is a tool for architects to leverage their designs in the early phases of a project. It is currently under development.

The question remains on how AI can aid the design process and improve the final product. In the near future, architects will likely work closely with UX designers to utilize AI, as well as big data, to improve design for their users.

There are differences and similarities between architectural design and user experience design, both in the process and the final deliverables. However, because of an aggressive push by emerging technologies, the two professions will collaborate more closely in the near future to design and advocate for the users.