Dialogic artificial intelligence in the architectural design studio : an empirical study of the AI sparring model

Stanimirović, Mirko (author), Wang, Jiaqi (author), Zupančič, Domen (author), Momčilović-Petronijević, Ana (author), Ćirić, Ivan (author)

Integrating generative artificial intelligence into architectural education raises a question not only of whether AI helps, but of how its use should be structured. This paper empirically examines the AI Sparring model—a dialogic, critical approach to student–AI interaction—through a workshop in which architecture students designed a pavilion in a fortress. The three self-selected groups differed in the role AI played in the formation of the concept, not in its final presentation: Group A developed concepts traditionally, through sketches and physical working models, with AI serving only as a rendering tool at the end; Group B used AI directly as a generative tool; and Group C worked through structured critical dialogue with AI. The works were independently rated by three evaluators from three countries, alongside keyword analysis and assessment of reflective depth and theoretical references. Group C produced the most consistent concept quality, with no weak works, yet the single highest-rated work came from the traditional group—Sparring raises the “floor” rather than the “ceiling” of quality. At the same time, Group C reported the lowest sense of authorship, and qualitative analysis revealed “simulated depth”: theoretical references cited without genuine engagement. Because of the small, self-selected samples, the findings are read as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. The paper sheds light on the limits of reflective AI pedagogy and proposes concrete revisions to the model.

• Language: English
• Keywords: artificial intelligence, architectural education, AI sparring, critical thinking, reflective practice, generative AI, design studio, authorship, AI colab
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FA - Faculty of Architecture
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 19.07.2026
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 23 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 16, iss. 14, [article no.] 2878
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-188387
• UDC: 004.8:72:37
• ISSN on article: 2075-5309
• DOI: 10.3390/buildings16142878
• COBISS.SI-ID: 291619587
• Publication date in RUL: 22.09.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Buildings
• Shortened title: Buildings
• Publisher: Molecular Diversity Preservation International
• ISSN: 2075-5309
• COBISS.SI-ID: 1024478292

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: umetna inteligenca, arhitekturno izobraževanje, sodelovanje z UI, kritično mišljenje, reflektivna praksa, generativna UI, avtorstvo, sodelo z UI