Realty+ Architecture and Design Fest : Design & Technology in the Age of AI

At the 17th Realty+ Conclave & Excellence Awards and Architecture & Design Fest (AADF) 2025 – North Edition, held at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram, one of the most compelling conversations was staged under the banner “Design & Technology in the Age of AI.”

Moderated by Amit Khanna, Design Principal at Amit Khanna Design Associates, the session gathered a diverse panel of voices from across the architecture and design ecosystem, including Anand Sharma, Founder & Partner, Design Forum International; Monish Siripurapu, Founder & Principal Architect, ANT Studio; Raajesh Dhingra, Founder & Principal Architect, ARGROUP Design Studio; Sapna Khattar, Head of Interior Architecture, Locus Associates; Swati Singh, Architect Director, BDP Designs; and Anuj Saxena, Associate Director, Operations, Victora Lifts. Together, they examined how artificial intelligence is redefining the future of design and construction in India, particularly in a rapidly urbanising region like the National Capital Region.

The discussion began with the acknowledgement that artificial intelligence has already moved from promise to practice. Across architectural firms, interior design studios, and construction companies, AI-enabled tools are being deployed to generate visualisations, create simulations, and accelerate workflows. For younger practices or start-ups, this has created a democratising effect: design knowledge and resources that were once limited to large firms with deeper pockets are now increasingly accessible. What might once have taken weeks of manual drafting or modelling can now be produced in hours, allowing more time for refinement and iteration.

Yet, as several panellists noted, AI is not a substitute for creativity. Instead, it is an augmentation tool. Anand Sharma underlined that human intuition, cultural sensitivity, and emotional intelligence remain irreplaceable in design. Artificial intelligence can crunch data, automate repetitive tasks, or suggest optimisations, but it cannot capture the subtleties of memory, tradition, or the lived experience of a place. For Siripurapu, true innovation occurs precisely at the point where human imagination meets computational power, where architects and designers use technology to push boundaries rather than surrendering to it.

Another strong line of discussion was the way AI is improving quality and inclusivity in design. With intelligent modelling, errors can be identified early, resources optimised, and compliance with accessibility or sustainability standards more easily achieved. Architects like Swati Singh and Sapna Khattar pointed out that AI can help reduce unconscious biases by making data-driven decisions more visible, ensuring that design processes systematically incorporate universal access, safety, and user diversity. This is particularly relevant in public or commercial projects where inclusivity is not just an ethical choice but a legal and social necessity.

Efficiency was also a recurring theme. Developers and clients in Delhi-NCR increasingly expect rapid turnarounds, and AI is helping firms meet this demand. By enabling quick iterations and environmental simulations, technology ensures that projects move from concept to execution faster without compromising quality. Raajesh Dhingra noted that AI is particularly useful in managing operational efficiencies, as it enables architects to balance speed with precision, ensuring fewer surprises during construction and better alignment between client expectations and delivered outcomes.

Still, the panel did not shy away from acknowledging challenges. AI, by its nature, is only as effective as the data it processes. Poor data can produce flawed designs, raising questions about reliability. There are also cultural and contextual concerns, as many AI models are trained on global datasets and may not account for regional variations in climate, materials, or cultural preferences. This could lead to homogenisation, where buildings in Delhi begin to look like those in Dubai or Singapore, diluting local identity. Intellectual property was another grey area, with panellists highlighting questions about ownership of AI-generated outputs and the level of human authorship required for originality. Above all, there was consensus that design risks becoming sterile if over-automated, underscoring the need to preserve human creativity at the core of practice.

For North India’s real estate market, which is expanding rapidly across residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, these debates are more than theoretical. AI-powered design tools offer the potential to improve energy efficiency, daylighting, acoustics, and sustainability—critical elements as environmental regulations tighten and buyer preferences evolve. By embedding these tools into workflows, firms can enhance both investor appeal and occupant well-being, giving them a competitive edge in a crowded market. The region’s growing proptech ecosystem is further supporting this shift, with collaborations between design firms, technology startups, and developers accelerating adoption.

Looking ahead, the panellists predicted a future where hybrid approaches dominate. Designers will increasingly rely on augmented and virtual reality to create immersive experiences for clients, while machine learning will assist with generative design, offering multiple iterations that human designers can refine. At the same time, policymakers may need to step in with frameworks to ensure ethical AI adoption in architecture—governing safety, intellectual property, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Sustainability will remain central, with AI assisting in minimising waste, optimising resource use, and selecting low-carbon materials.