A person's hand reaches toward a computer screen displaying website content, set on a light surface with green accents.

Concept Design

7 months

Omnico: Future of Urban Developments

Leveraging Generative AI in Architecture

Role

UX/UI Designer

Team

Mason Noboru

#generative-ai

A person's hand reaches toward a computer screen displaying website content, set on a light surface with green accents.

Concept Design

7 months

Omnico: Future of Urban Developments

Leveraging Generative AI in Architecture

Role

UX/UI Designer

Team

Mason Noboru

#generative-ai

A person's hand reaches toward a computer screen displaying website content, set on a light surface with green accents.

Concept Design

7 months

Omnico: Future of Urban Developments

Leveraging Generative AI in Architecture

Role

UX/UI Designer

Team

Mason Noboru

#generative-ai

Concept

Objective

The objective of this case study was to explore the possibilities of integrating generative AI in the concept development process for urban developments. After initial contextual inquiry, we found an opportunity for locals and tourists to play a more direct role in contributing to research for architectural firms. On the flip side, architectural firms would have access to live and evolving data to help inform their decision making throughout concept development.

Objective

The objective of this case study was to explore the possibilities of integrating generative AI in the concept development process for urban developments. After initial contextual inquiry, we found an opportunity for locals and tourists to play a more direct role in contributing to research for architectural firms. On the flip side, architectural firms would have access to live and evolving data to help inform their decision making throughout concept development.

Objective

The objective of this case study was to explore the possibilities of integrating generative AI in the concept development process for urban developments. After initial contextual inquiry, we found an opportunity for locals and tourists to play a more direct role in contributing to research for architectural firms. On the flip side, architectural firms would have access to live and evolving data to help inform their decision making throughout concept development.

Intersection of Generative AI and Architecture

Omnico is an AI-led architecture firm that uses machine learning to visualize urban futures using a globally crowd-sourced database. Anyone can contribute through Omnico's co-op ownership model. From its continuously growing database, Omnico generates concept designs from curated datasets reflective of the local interactions and relationships between people and buildings within specific environments.

Intersection of Generative AI and Architecture

Omnico is an AI-led architecture firm that uses machine learning to visualize urban futures using a globally crowd-sourced database. Anyone can contribute through Omnico's co-op ownership model. From its continuously growing database, Omnico generates concept designs from curated datasets reflective of the local interactions and relationships between people and buildings within specific environments.

Intersection of Generative AI and Architecture

Omnico is an AI-led architecture firm that uses machine learning to visualize urban futures using a globally crowd-sourced database. Anyone can contribute through Omnico's co-op ownership model. From its continuously growing database, Omnico generates concept designs from curated datasets reflective of the local interactions and relationships between people and buildings within specific environments.

Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.
Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.
Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.

How it Works

Process Map

Contributors may get compensated for each photo they add into Omnico's database. Omnico's system would assess the value of each photo submission based on the image quality, tag attributes and description provided by the contribution. Architects would be able to view and filter the photos in the database to create their own models.

Process Map

Contributors may get compensated for each photo they add into Omnico's database. Omnico's system would assess the value of each photo submission based on the image quality, tag attributes and description provided by the contribution. Architects would be able to view and filter the photos in the database to create their own models.

User Scenario

The following scenario illustrates the interactions between Omnico's clients, architects, and research contributors. Clients would come to Omnico with an initial request for a build, while architects consult and diagnose needs. Meanwhile, research contributors would gather data points by submitting photos of the physical environment. These data points would help inform material resource planning and architectural drawings.

User Scenario

The following scenario illustrates the interactions between Omnico's clients, architects, and research contributors. Clients would come to Omnico with an initial request for a build, while architects consult and diagnose needs. Meanwhile, research contributors would gather data points by submitting photos of the physical environment. These data points would help inform material resource planning and architectural drawings.

User Scenario

The following scenario illustrates the interactions between Omnico's clients, architects, and research contributors. Clients would come to Omnico with an initial request for a build, while architects consult and diagnose needs. Meanwhile, research contributors would gather data points by submitting photos of the physical environment. These data points would help inform material resource planning and architectural drawings.

Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.
Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.
Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.

Creating a Model

Architects would act as the curators of photo submissions from research contributors. With the ability to create multiple datasets of images, architects would have control over how much influence it has within the overall model. When a model is created, the architect can prompt it to generate variations of architectural concept designs.

Creating a Model

Architects would act as the curators of photo submissions from research contributors. With the ability to create multiple datasets of images, architects would have control over how much influence it has within the overall model. When a model is created, the architect can prompt it to generate variations of architectural concept designs.

Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.
Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.

Process Map

Contributors may get compensated for each photo they add into Omnico's database. Omnico's system would assess the value of each photo submission based on the image quality, tag attributes and description provided by the contribution. Architects would be able to view and filter the photos in the database to create their own models.

Process Map

Contributors may get compensated for each photo they add into Omnico's database. Omnico's system would assess the value of each photo submission based on the image quality, tag attributes and description provided by the contribution. Architects would be able to view and filter the photos in the database to create their own models.

Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.
Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.

Creating a Model

Architects would act as the curators of photo submissions from research contributors. With the ability to create multiple datasets of images, architects would have control over how much influence it has within the overall model. When a model is created, the architect can prompt it to generate variations of architectural concept designs.

Creating a Model

Architects would act as the curators of photo submissions from research contributors. With the ability to create multiple datasets of images, architects would have control over how much influence it has within the overall model. When a model is created, the architect can prompt it to generate variations of architectural concept designs.

Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.
Computer desktop and keyboard. Desktop screen shows a web page of buildings.

Design System

Iterations

Low Fidelity Sketches

The scope of this prototype focused on the home page, model gallery page, model page, and individual project page. For the home page, clients must be able to easily access Omnico's best work. For the project page, clients may quickly filter through different models based on their build's needs. When viewing a model, users may view the chosen images within the dataset and access variations of project outputs. After selecting an individual project, users may read more about the build's details.

Low Fidelity Sketches

The scope of this prototype focused on the home page, model gallery page, model page, and individual project page. For the home page, clients must be able to easily access Omnico's best work. For the project page, clients may quickly filter through different models based on their build's needs. When viewing a model, users may view the chosen images within the dataset and access variations of project outputs. After selecting an individual project, users may read more about the build's details.

Low Fidelity Sketches

The scope of this prototype focused on the home page, model gallery page, model page, and individual project page. For the home page, clients must be able to easily access Omnico's best work. For the project page, clients may quickly filter through different models based on their build's needs. When viewing a model, users may view the chosen images within the dataset and access variations of project outputs. After selecting an individual project, users may read more about the build's details.

Mid-Fidelity Wireframes

The main challenge was finding a way to showcase images and display the hierarchy of what it represent. Images fall under the following types: (1) an individual image within a data set or (2) an output variation from a model. I played with image sizes to differentiate between the two types.

Mid-Fidelity Wireframes

The main challenge was finding a way to showcase images and display the hierarchy of what it represent. Images fall under the following types: (1) an individual image within a data set or (2) an output variation from a model. I played with image sizes to differentiate between the two types.

Mid-Fidelity Wireframes

The main challenge was finding a way to showcase images and display the hierarchy of what it represent. Images fall under the following types: (1) an individual image within a data set or (2) an output variation from a model. I played with image sizes to differentiate between the two types.

High Fidelity Mockups

Figuring out use cases when users are interacting with images and maps was the biggest challenge. An interactive map give users a high-level understanding on where the dataset is derived from. When inspecting a single image from a data set, users would be able to access key details such as the time the image was captured, climate data, physical build attributes, and materials used.

High Fidelity Mockups

Figuring out use cases when users are interacting with images and maps was the biggest challenge. An interactive map give users a high-level understanding on where the dataset is derived from. When inspecting a single image from a data set, users would be able to access key details such as the time the image was captured, climate data, physical build attributes, and materials used.

High Fidelity Mockups

Figuring out use cases when users are interacting with images and maps was the biggest challenge. An interactive map give users a high-level understanding on where the dataset is derived from. When inspecting a single image from a data set, users would be able to access key details such as the time the image was captured, climate data, physical build attributes, and materials used.

Lessons Learned

Ethics of Generative AI

Through this case study, I learned about the privacy issues that may arise when growing Omnico's database. Such issues include whether or not contributors are able to take photos of certain locations depending on whether it is public or private property. To advance this project, I would look into designing a vetting system that ensures privacy protection and fair assessment of photo quality and ownership value.

Ethics of Generative AI

Through this case study, I learned about the privacy issues that may arise when growing Omnico's database. Such issues include whether or not contributors are able to take photos of certain locations depending on whether it is public or private property. To advance this project, I would look into designing a vetting system that ensures privacy protection and fair assessment of photo quality and ownership value.

Ethics of Generative AI

Through this case study, I learned about the privacy issues that may arise when growing Omnico's database. Such issues include whether or not contributors are able to take photos of certain locations depending on whether it is public or private property. To advance this project, I would look into designing a vetting system that ensures privacy protection and fair assessment of photo quality and ownership value.

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© Updated 2025

© Updated 2025

© Updated 2025