Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. AI and landscape architecture are becoming more closely connected as new tools find their way into everyday software and working practices across architecture, construction and design.
At Anna French Associates (AFA), we recently sat down as a team to consider what this means for us as a landscape architecture practice, and where AI should – and – shouldn’t have a place in our work.
As landscape architects, our work combines creativity with technical knowledge, critical thinking and an understanding of how places will function for people and the environment. From early concepts and landscape design through to planning applications, technical design and construction, accuracy and professional judgement are essential.
So, while we recognise the potential benefits of AI, we also believe its use needs careful consideration.
The ethical and environmental concerns around AI
From an ethical standpoint, we all agree that AI raises some difficult questions.
AI systems can take written, visual and creative work developed by people over many years, reformulate it and use it to generate new content. There are understandable concerns around ownership, copyright and whether this is fair or reasonable to the original creators.
There are also environmental considerations. AI systems require significant computing power, with associated energy and water consumption. The full environmental impact is difficult to assess, particularly while comprehensive and comparable data remains limited.
For a landscape architecture practice concerned with sustainability, biodiversity and the long-term impact of design decisions, these are important considerations.
Could AI de-skill the landscape architecture profession?
Another concern is the potential for AI to de-skill the workforce by encouraging people to outsource analytical skills, writing, drawing and critical thinking.
At AFA, we want our team members to continue developing their own individual skills, technical knowledge and capabilities.
Whether we are working on a landscape design for a planning application, developing planting strategies or preparing detailed technical information for construction, professional knowledge and judgement matter.
Ultimately, we believe a well-trained, experienced and knowledgeable team of landscape architects will lead to better outcomes than relying heavily on AI-generated information.
Finding a responsible place for AI in landscape architecture
Despite our concerns, we also recognise that AI will inevitably become part of the way our industry works. It is already embedded within some of the software applications used throughout architecture, landscape architecture and the wider construction industry. Ignoring it completely risks becoming disengaged from technological developments within the marketplace.
Instead, we believe the more sensible approach is to understand where AI can be useful while establishing clear boundaries around where human expertise, creativity and technical knowledge must take precedence.
With that in mind, we have developed a set of guidelines for the use of AI within Anna French Associates.
Our guidelines for using AI at Anna French Associates
1. AI use within the office is permitted – within clear boundaries.
AI can be used where appropriate, but only in accordance with the guidelines below.
2. AI can assist with written ideas.
It may be used to generate ideas for phrases or paragraphs of text. However, anything produced using AI must be carefully checked, particularly when used within planning submissions or technical reports.
3. References must always be verified.
AI may help identify potential references for reports, but these must always be checked against credible and, where appropriate, scientific sources.
4. AI can assist with early-stage visualisations.
AI may be used to help produce early-stage landscape design presentation material and visualisations. However, these must be clearly identified as illustrative and should not be used for planning purposes where accuracy is required.
5. AI will not be used for technical details or sections.
Technical landscape architecture requires accuracy, experience and professional judgement. We therefore do not use AI to produce technical details or sections at any work stage.
6. AI will not be used to produce written specifications.
Specifications require detailed knowledge of the project, materials and construction requirements and will continue to be produced by our team using appropriate software.
7. AI will not replace human design beyond RIBA Stage 3.
AI will not be used for drawings or landscape design work developed beyond RIBA Stage 3 – including designs, plans or details that could ultimately be used for construction.
All construction-stage information will be designed and developed by people and will supersede any AI-assisted concept material issued previously.
8. AI may assist with marketing content.
AI can be used to support marketing, website copy, news articles or graphics, but everything will be reviewed and checked for accuracy before publication.
9. We currently do not use AI note-takers in meetings.
We do not currently allow the use of AI note-taking tools in meetings, and our team members have the option to opt out of being recorded in meetings they attend.
Human expertise remains at the heart of landscape architecture
For now, we will continue to keep an open mind and watch with interest as AI technology develops. There will undoubtedly be new ways in which it can support landscape architects, designers and the wider construction industry. However, we remain acutely aware of its potential to cause harm, confusion or inaccuracies when used inappropriately.
The construction sector relies on maintaining a high standard of technical design for the safety of site workers and those who will ultimately use the buildings and landscapes we create.
At Anna French Associates, our approach is therefore simple: use technology where it genuinely supports our work, but never at the expense of professional knowledge, creativity, accuracy or human judgement.
As a UK landscape architecture practice, we provide landscape design and technical expertise from early concepts and planning through to detailed design and construction. If you are looking for experienced landscape architects to support an upcoming development or project, please get in touch with the Anna French Associates team.
