Interview with Robbin Leeuwenkamp

Robbin Leeuwenkamp owns a leading architectural firm in the Netherlands, Leeuwenkamp Architecten. Their work includes the AZ training complex and complex projects in the healthcare sector.

WauwAi: Good day, Robbin! It’s a pleasure to have you with us. Your company is known for integrating cutting-edge technologies into your architectural designs. How important is AI in contemporary architecture?

Robbin Leeuwenkamp: Thank you for the invitation. AI’s impact on architecture is transformative. It is not just a tool; it is a paradigm shift in the way we conceive, design, and execute architectural projects. AI algorithms help optimize the design for energy efficiency, structural integrity, and aesthetics, making processes more efficient and environmentally friendly.

WauwAi: Fascinating. Could you share how your firm specifically utilizes AI?

Robbin Leeuwenkamp: Absolutely. AI plays a crucial role in various design and planning phases in our company. We use generative design algorithms to explore more design options than humanly possible. AI helps us to analyze multiple aspects such as optimal proportions, material impact, digital passport, more efficient construction solutions, generating cost estimates, and integrating specifications and all this, of course, for example, in an urban context, to create designs that are aesthetically pleasing, sustainable and contextually integrated. We also use Autodesk Revit, Dynamo, and Rhino’s Grasshopper tools for intelligent modeling and simulation.

WauwAi: That sounds incredibly advanced. How does AI affect your design process?

Robbin Leeuwenkamp: AI acts as a collaborative partner, providing solutions that we might not consider (if only because of the time factor, IA can generate different options in a foreseeable time, which we can assess for feasibility very quickly with our knowledge and experience). It processes huge amounts of data, from local building codes to client preferences, and helps us create innovative designs that meet requirements. Moreover, it helps with real-time rendering and virtual walkthroughs, giving clients a tangible feel of the project before it is built. We often use tools like V-Ray and Unreal Engine for these experiences.

WauwAi: Do you think AI might replace human architects?

Robbin Leeuwenkamp: Not replace, but improve. AI is a tool and like any tool, it requires skilled hands. It enhances our capabilities, allowing us to focus more on the creative and complex aspects of design while it handles the data-heavy tasks. The essence of architecture – understanding the human experience and translating it into space – remains irreplaceable.

WauwAi: Lastly, what future advancements in AI are you most excited about in architecture?

Robbin Leeuwenkamp: I am particularly excited about AI’s potential in sustainable design. AI’s ability to analyze environmental data and simulate different scenarios could lead us to create buildings that are more in tune with nature. Integrating AI with augmented reality and IoT in smart buildings opens new possibilities for interactive and adaptive spaces.

WauwAi: Thank you for these insightful perspectives. So, AI is not just a trend but an essential component in shaping the future of architecture?

Robbin Leeuwenkamp: My pleasure. Indeed,  AI is revolutionizing our field, and we are only at the beginning. The future of architecture with AI is limitless.