In the dynamic world of architecture, Matthias Hollwich stands as a visionary who seamlessly blends technology, creativity, and cultural sensitivity to redefine urban spaces. As the founder of HWKN, a New York-based collective of architects, sculptors, social strategists, and innovators, Hollwich is on a mission to use architecture to create a better world. His unique approach, which integrates advanced AI and a deep understanding of local contexts, is setting new standards for the future of urban design.
Founded by Hollwich, HWKN is not just an architectural firm; it is a collective that pushes the boundaries of design through a multidisciplinary approach. HWKN’s projects are renowned for their innovative integration of AI and robotics, using advanced technology with the aim of creating structures that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also highly functional and responsive to the needs of their users.
“About a year and a half ago, we began experimenting with AI and how the firm can integrate it into our architectural designs. This journey has taken us on a path to develop a disciplined design process that works with Midjourney, ChatGPT, and a step that we refer to as “reverse engineering” to translate the AI vision into reliable architectural 3D models,” says Hollwich. This blend of AI and human creativity allows HWKN to explore unprecedented design possibilities. “We use AI to refresh our creativity and explore new ways of developing buildings,” Hollwich explains. This approach is particularly evident in their concept of “hyper–local AI– powered design,” which leverages AI to gather detailed local insights, enabling HWKN to tailor their designs to the unique needs and cultural contexts of specific communities.
“Typically, architects focus on their own style or the directive from a client. AI is a magical tool that allows architects to overcome this by refreshing the designer’s creativity and exploring new ways of developing buildings. When looking into places that people love, there is always a sense of uniqueness pulled from the local cultural heritagethat is what HWKN uses as a basis of design by integrating AI,” Hollwich says.
