Does a first-year architecture student know more about technology than a licensed architect? My recent talk at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Granada got me thinking about this.
When the professors organizing the event mentioned that the students were all first/second year, just starting in the design studio and primarily studying in Spanish, I expected a quiet crowd—especially with my presentation in English.
After a short intro and an unscripted Q&A with Professor Rubens Cortes, we opened the floor for questions. Initially, there was a cautious trickle, but soon it felt like a dam had burst. Students were sitting and standing everywhere, eager to listen, and they started asking questions I typically get from industry pros with 30+ years of experience. I was genuinely impressed by their quick grasp of the subject and their curiosity.
One standout question from a student was: "If we have access to a firm’s internal data and can search and leverage it with AI, will it be possible in the future to link standard details like Passive House requirements—not going through random Google or Pinterest searches, but through validated details?" The answer, of course, is yes—and that’s exactly what I hear from large AEC firms exploring advanced AI tools today.
It’s left me wondering: will the future of architecture look radically different with these young, curious minds leading the way? I’m excited to keep building alongside them and can’t wait to see where they’ll take our field.