Digital Tools in Design: How Software is Transforming Architecture

Nowadays, technology is the big topic. It is changing everything, from children’s toys to buildings! People are scrambling to find new automotive solutions using AI development, machine learning, and even 3D designing to enhance productivity. Architecture is one of those fields where digital tools are transforming designs.

Recently, in June of 2025, researchers introduced the HP2C-DT, which stands for High-precision High-performance Computer enabled Digital twin. A digital twin (DT) is where all the updates on a physical building undergoing construction, gets updated in real time, virtually. The way this technology works is by integrating edge computing, remote cloud components, and HPC (high performance computing) into a cohesive system”. Although DTs are relatively new, and have drawbacks like security risks, and technical complexity, it has allowed architects to test the safety, performance, and energy efficiency much faster, compared to traditional methods. 

Another software that has been gaining momentum is TwinArch, a technology which provides everyone on a designing team with the same visual information for building DTs. This helps team architecture projects flow more smoothly with minimal misunderstandings because the same framework is given to all team members. 

Following the introduction of DTs, many companies are also updating their software. For example, Esri’s GeoBIM has been updated to connect 3D models to actual sites and maps. Even more impressive– it can shrink designs by up to 95% in order to share blueprints with clients, and communities!

As these technological advancements are happening, one question remains– will AI work alongside architects, or take over their creativity power? Currently, AI is a tool, not a replacement. Even though it can run tests faster, and reduce mistakes, the vision, and spark is something only humans can create. But will AI take over architecture to the point where humans are second-hand resources? Only time will tell!

Works Cited ↴

Cook, Geoff. “What’s New in ArcGIS GeoBIM (June 2025).” Esri.com, ArcGIS Blog, June 2025, https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/geobim/announcements/whats-new-in-arcgis-geobim-june-2025?utm_.

E, Iraola, et al. “HP2C-DT: High-Precision High-Performance Computer-enabled Digital Twin.” 2025, https://arxiv.org/html/2506.10523#:~:text=At%20its%20core%2C%20the%20HP2C,performance%20computing%20clusters%20when%20needed.

Somma, Alessandra, et al. TwinArch: A Digital Twin Reference Architecture. The Journal of Systems and Software, 2025, https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.07530.