At "The Night of Architecture Studios," part of the first edition of the Bucharest Design Festival, DRS-Architects opened its doors to the public with an interactive installation powered by artificial intelligence. The platform, developed in-house by the studio's team, allowed visitors to select locations across Bucharest and generate alternative urban transformation scenarios based on their own descriptions — from expanding pedestrian areas to introducing new green spaces.
Among the installations was "Residential Chaos," dedicated to the rapid development of neighborhoods on the outskirts of the capital. The explanatory panels showed how real estate projects have often outpaced the necessary infrastructure, creating problems with transport, public spaces, and services — with examples such as Militari Residence, Popești-Leordeni, and Berceni.
Cristina Costea, partner at DRS-Architects, explained that the platform was built by just two people and was designed as a tool for exploring and rapidly testing urban ideas. She emphasized, however, that while AI can generate variations and scenarios, the architect's role remains essential in the urban regeneration process. Artificial intelligence is not a replacement, but a working tool.
This is the third consecutive year in which the studio has hosted such an event, aimed at bringing the public closer to the design process and the day-to-day work of architects.
Relive the event: the online exhibition "In One Night, the Whole City"
For those who couldn't make it — or who want to see how it was — we've put together an online post-event exhibition. Here you can slide the bar to compare today's Bucharest with its reimagined version, explore the 128 reimaginings created by the public with the help of AI, browse the 229 photographs capturing the atmosphere of the evening, and revisit the 3 thematic installations with the panels and films screened at the event.
👉 See the exhibition: https://bdf2026.drsa.ro/
Source: Buletin de București, by Cătălin Anghel-Dimache