AI in Design: What It Can Calculate, and What Only Your Experience Can Provide

As the founder of formspace.design and someone who has been involved in landscape design for over 20 years, I often reflect on how technology is changing our field. Today, AI is a powerful tool capable of handling routine calculations and initial visualizations, but a deep understanding of context, aesthetics, and human needs remains the exclusive prerogative of the designer. It is at the intersection of these two worlds that truly unique and viable projects are born.

Where AI Excels: Calculations and Visualization

I started coding at 61, using AI to create formspace.design. My experience has shown that AI brilliantly handles tasks requiring precision and speed. It can instantly calculate the volume of earthworks, determine the optimal placement of paths considering slopes, and even suggest hundreds of layout options for a plot of, say, 10-15 hundred square meters in a matter of minutes. For example, when working with module 1.1 “Site Plan” in formspace.design, AI helps quickly estimate the area for zoning lawns, paths, terraces, ponds, and other elements, based on specified parameters. This saves hours, if not days, of manual labor.

AI is also indispensable for rapid visualization. You can upload a photo of your plot to module 3.1 “Design from Photo” and get realistic renders with different landscaping styles or architectural elements. For me, this was a real breakthrough, because previously we spent a lot of time on 3D modeling in Revit or 3ds Max, but now the first 2-3 iterations of a concept can be obtained in an hour. AI is capable of considering basic parameters of illumination, shadows, and even seasonality for plants, offering solutions that look very convincing.

What AI Cannot Yet Replace: Depth of Context and Aesthetics

Despite all its achievements, AI works with data, not feelings. It cannot understand that for a client, a “cozy corner” is a place where they sat with their grandmother, or that “modern style” for them means not minimalism, but rather functionality and an abundance of light. AI will not consider family history, emotional attachment to an old tree, even if it hinders ideal planning. It will not sense how the mood of a plot changes at different times of day or seasons. For this, a human is needed, with their empathy and ability for non-verbal communication.

For example, I have always paid special attention to how a plot will feel. A passage width of 1.2 meters is just a number for AI, but for a person, it's the ability for two people to comfortably pass each other or for a wheelbarrow to go through. A ramp slope of 5% is a technical parameter, but for a family with elderly parents or children in strollers, it's a matter of accessibility and safety. AI cannot independently assess local building codes or unique soil characteristics that can critically affect the choice of plants or the type of foundation for a gazebo. This is where the experience I've accumulated over years, working with real plots and people, comes into play.

The Role of the Landscape Designer in the Age of AI

My role as a designer has always been more than just planning. I was a conductor, a translator between the client's dreams and the reality of the plot. In the age of AI, this role only intensifies. Now, a designer is not only an artist and an engineer but also an AI operator, capable of correctly setting tasks, interpreting its results, and most importantly, adjusting them to account for the human factor. It's like having a very talented assistant who doesn't always grasp the essence of the task. You need to be able to guide it, explain the nuances, and refine what it produces.

I remember once when AI suggested a geometrically perfect path that, however, ran right through the client's favorite rose bush. AI didn't know about the “favorite bush”; it only saw an obstacle. My task is to see this, understand its value, and find a compromise solution that satisfies everyone. The designer becomes a kind of filter through which AI's ideas pass, enriched with human meaning and practical expediency. This requires not only knowledge in landscape design but also the ability for critical thinking, to see living life beyond numbers and images.

Common Mistakes When Working with AI in Design

I've noticed several common mistakes people make when they start actively using AI. The first, and perhaps most important, is blind trust in the results. AI doesn't make mistakes in calculations, but it can err in context. For example, it might suggest a water feature in an area where groundwater levels are too high, or a plant that won't survive in your climate (hardiness zone). I wrote about this in the article How I correct AI when it doesn't understand the landscape task.

The second mistake is insufficient detail in requests (prompts). The more precisely you describe your requirements, preferences, and plot features (slope, soil type, presence of shade from neighboring buildings), the better the result will be. If you simply ask for a “beautiful garden,” AI will produce something generic. But if you specify: “Mediterranean-style garden for a 1200 square meter plot with a 5% south-facing slope, with a barbecue area and a small vegetable garden, drought-tolerant plants,” the result will be much closer to reality. I always emphasize that the quality of the output depends on the quality of the input.

The third mistake is ignoring the budget. AI doesn't know how much you're willing to spend on a project. It might suggest materials or plants that turn out to be prohibitively expensive. Here again, a human is needed to reconcile AI's ambitions with financial capabilities. After all, even the most beautiful idea is meaningless if it cannot be implemented. This was one of the reasons I started developing formspace.design — to combine creativity with a pragmatic approach to budget and resources. In my article How the accounting module would have helped me avoid a specific mistake in 2015, I described in detail how important accounting is at all stages.

The Human Factor: What Lies Beyond the Algorithms

Behind every successful landscape project lies not only design but also many invisible factors that AI cannot yet adequately assess. These include relationships with contractors, consideration of legal aspects (e.g., setbacks from property lines – usually at least 3 meters for structures), managing client expectations, and even the ability to foresee how the plot will look in 5-10 years. For example, properly planned drainage with a 1-2% slope from the house to the perimeter of the plot is not just a technical solution, but a guarantee of the longevity of all plantings and structures. AI can suggest a scheme, but only an experienced person will consider local soil characteristics, annual rainfall, and existing utilities.

There's also the aspect of maintenance. AI might suggest exotic plants that require complex care, without considering that the owner doesn't have the time or desire for it. My task as a designer is to propose plants that will be aesthetically pleasing and yet not become a burden. This also applies to material selection: AI can generate beautiful paving options, but a human must consider durability, resistance to the local climate, and market availability. These are all the subtleties that come with practice, with years of 'in the field' work, not just behind a computer.

How to Plan in formspace.design

My goal in creating formspace.design was to provide plot owners and designers with a tool that combines the power of AI with the possibility of fine manual tuning and human control. I wanted to create a system that helps at every stage — from the first sketch to a detailed plan. For example, you can start with module 2.1 “AI Concept,” by uploading a satellite map of your plot or drawing its contour. AI will suggest several zoning and style options based on your basic preferences (e.g., “modern,” “country,” “eco”). This provides an excellent starting point, so you don't have to start from a blank slate.

Next, moving to module 1.x “Plan/Zones/Objects,” you can take these AI concepts as a basis and start refining them. For example, change the size of the terrace, move the gazebo considering wind rose and house placement, or add specific plant species that you love and know grow well in your region. You can manually place each object, set its exact dimensions in meters, check if there's enough space for passages (e.g., at least 1 meter is needed for a lawnmower to pass), and then use module 3.1 “Design from Photo” to see how the selected plants and objects will look on a real photo of your plot. This allows you not only to visualize but also to check practical feasibility and aesthetics, combining machine calculations with your vision and experience.

FAQ

Can AI completely replace a landscape designer?

In my experience, no. AI is a powerful tool for automating calculations, generating ideas, and visualization, but it lacks empathy, creative thinking, and the ability to deeply understand a client's unique needs and emotional attachments. The designer remains indispensable for interpreting, adapting, and bringing human warmth to every project.

How can I ensure that AI's suggestions match my budget?

AI itself doesn't always consider budget constraints, as it doesn't have access to current prices for materials and labor. Your task is to set AI limitations on the type of materials or plants, and then, either independently or with the help of a specialist, adjust AI's suggestions in line with your financial capabilities. In formspace.design, I tried to account for this by allowing specific elements of the plan to be changed.

What if AI suggests something impractical for my region?

This is a common situation. AI operates with general data. Your role is to be a 'filter' and make adjustments based on your knowledge of the local climate, soil type, and material availability. Use AI as an idea generator, but always filter its suggestions through the lens of your experience and the specifics of your plot. For example, in formspace.design, you can quickly replace AI-suggested plants with those suitable for your specific climate.

How to give AI quality prompts for landscape design?

The more detailed and specific your request, the better the result. Specify the plot size (in hundred square meters or m²), desired style, functional zones (barbecue, playground, vegetable garden), preferred materials, and plants. It's also useful to describe plot features: slope, light levels, presence of trees, view from house windows. Remember that AI doesn't read minds; it works with what you provide.

Is formspace.design suitable for very complex or unique projects?

Yes, formspace.design is designed as a flexible tool. You can start with an AI concept for a quick start, and then use modules for detailed planning and object placement with centimeter precision. This allows you to work through even the most complex engineering solutions or unique design ideas, while maintaining control over every element. It's a tool that allows you to scale your approach from simple to complex tasks.

Can AI help with plant selection?

AI can suggest plant options based on the specified style, climate zone, and even the level of care you're willing to provide. However, always check these suggestions for compatibility with your plot's specific conditions (soil type, pH, light exposure) and personal preferences. For example, AI might not know about your allergy to certain species or that you dislike conifers.

What is the main advantage of using AI in the early stages of a project?

The main advantage is speed and the ability to generate a vast number of ideas. AI allows for quickly exploring various layout, zoning, and style options without spending weeks on manual drafting and modeling. This helps the client to decide on a direction faster and avoid costly rework in later stages. You gain the opportunity to experiment without significant time and financial costs.

AI is not a magic wand, but rather a very smart and fast assistant. It can perform a huge volume of work, but the final decision, aesthetics, and soul of the project always remain with the human. My journey with formspace.design is an attempt to give everyone the opportunity to use this power without losing their unique vision. I hope my experience helps you look at the interaction between humans and AI in landscape design from a new angle and to the benefit of your projects.