AI Warning!
AI-generated images are flooding the world of architectural renderings, and it’s creating a perfect storm that threatens the integrity of our industry. This isn’t just a minor annoyance—it’s an urgent problem that affects architects, developers, and real estate professionals who depend on actual expertise and craftsmanship to tell the story of a built environment.
The Art and Craft of Rendering
Real architectural rendering is a profound art, far beyond the simplicity of clicking “create image.” It’s the culmination of decades of dedication, study, and hands-on experience. When you trust a renderer, you trust their profound understanding of light, material, scale, structure, and the human spirit of architecture. We invest years in perfecting these skills so that every detail will withstand the scrutiny of clients, contractors, and, ultimately, reality.
What’s at Stake with AI-Only Renderings?
Lately, there’s been a rise of companies and freelancers passing off pure AI-generated images as their “rendering services.” These AI images may look slick, but dig deeper, and the problems appear:
AI images often include physically impossible elements, “hallucinations,” or missing details—like floating staircases, rooms with impossible geometry, and materials that can’t exist in the real world.
These images create false expectations that lead to disappointment, project delays, and even legal risk for everyone involved.
When a developer or architect signs up for “services” based only on these fantasy images, they may discover too late that what was sold can’t be built or replicated.
A Call for Integrity and Vigilance
It's time for a collective call for integrity and vigilance. Selling services based on AI art that no human can deliver is a blatant deception. It devalues the honest work of craftspeople and puts reputations and projects at risk. If you’re reviewing a rendering portfolio full of impossibly perfect images, ask for real project files, walkthroughs of previous builds, references, or proof of experience. Don’t let gorgeous fakes replace the honest artistry and technical skill our field demands. It's our responsibility to uphold the integrity of our profession.
Why This Matters
This warning isn’t just for architects. Developers and real estate agents have a stake, too—when marketing visuals are misleading, trust is lost and deals fall apart. At the end of the day, architectural rendering should be a window into what’s truly possible, not a mirage built by shortcuts and empty promises.
AI is a tool, but it isn’t a shortcut experience, skill, or ethics. Let’s keep architectural visualization grounded in reality, built on expertise, and worthy of the stunning projects we all want to see rise in the real world.