Today we are in the company of Italian Architect Carlo De Paolo, a leading name in contemporary architecture which is becoming more and more established, known for his innovative vision and ability to combine aesthetics, functionality and well-being. Founder of the firm MADE IN, with offices in Rome and Gallipoli, De Paolo has been internationally recognized for his high-end projects and recently received the prestigious Global Awards 2025 as “Architecture & Design Firm of the Year – Italy.” With his approach that integrates design with technology, today he tells us how artificial intelligence is transforming the design of luxury hospitality and residential spaces.
Journalist: Architect De Paolo, thank you for having us. Let’s start right away with a question: how do you see the influence of artificial intelligence in your work?
Carlo De Paolo: Thank you for the invitation. Artificial intelligence, in my work, is not a replacement for human creative thinking, but rather an enhancement of design capabilities. It allows me to analyze an incredible amount of data in real time, to explore innovative solutions and, most importantly, to personalize spaces like never before. Luxury architectural design has always required a level of detail and uniqueness that AI is able to support tremendously.
Journalist: So, can we say that AI is a tool to “personalize” architecture, to make it truly unique?
Carlo De Paolo: Absolutely. Today, thanks to machine learning algorithms, we can collect information about a client’s aesthetic preferences, his habits, even how he perceives certain materials or atmospheres. AI allows us to translate these desires into concrete designs, while respecting, at the same time, functional and technical requirements. In a luxury residential project, for example, every detail becomes an integral part of the living experience. AI helps us create environments that anticipate and fulfill every expectation.
Journalist: How does technology help in the actual design phase? Can it also give you advantages from a formal point of view?
Carlo De Paolo: Without a doubt. Generative design is one of the most fascinating aspects. AI explores and generates thousands of design options from a set of parameters that we define: lot size, sun exposure, materials to be used. This process allows us to think outside the box and come up with solutions that we probably would never have considered had we been limited by traditional techniques. In essence, artificial intelligence offers new formal possibilities that address concrete needs.
Journalist: What about sustainability, a crucial issue in today’s architecture, how can AI contribute?
Carlo De Paolo: AI is key to optimizing energy performance and reducing the environmental impact of buildings. Through real-time simulation of energy consumption, AI can suggest solutions to improve thermal comfort and insulation, optimize resource management, and choose sustainable materials. In luxury, this focus on sustainability is no longer a choice, but a responsibility that artificial intelligence helps us carry out, combining aesthetics with eco-sustainable functionality.
Journalist: Let’s talk a little bit about the experiences that can be created in receptive projects. What is the role of AI in the guest experience, for example, in a luxury hotel?
Carlo De Paolo: AI can create highly personalized experiences. Imagine a hotel where every detail of the environment reacts dynamically to the guest’s preferences: temperature, lighting, music, even the aroma in the air. AI, combined with smart sensors, allows us to anticipate users’ desires and deliver comfort like never before. In luxury environments, the experience is not only about the visual aspect, but also about overall well-being, which passes through all the senses. Architecture becomes an ‘ecosystem’ capable of responding in real time to changes and needs.
Journalist: And finally, how do you see the future of architecture with the advent of AI? Do we expect total automation of design processes?
Carlo De Paolo: The future is exciting. Architecture will never lose its creative soul, that vision that only a human being can have, but AI will increasingly become an indispensable ally. In the future, we will probably see an increasing integration between artificial intelligence and creativity, where the designer is no longer just an author, but also a “curator” of a process that combines man and machine. In a sense, luxury architecture will evolve toward something even more sensitive, where every space, every detail, will be the result of a harmony between technique, technology and human sensibility.
Journalist: One last question: will AI ever be able to “surpass” the architect?
Carlo De Paolo: AI can certainly improve efficiency, automate certain aspects and generate new ideas, but the architect will always remain indispensable. It is not just about creating functional spaces, but about understanding how a place can tell a story, excite those who live there. Artificial intelligence can help us reach a level of perfection never seen before, but the soul of architecture, the one that touches people’s hearts, is still an area where technology, no matter how advanced, can never replace the human hand and vision.
Journalist: Thank you, Architect, for such deep and thought-provoking reflections. It was a pleasure to talk with you about how artificial intelligence is changing the face of luxury architecture.
Carlo De Paolo: Thank you. It has been a pleasure to explore these issues with you. We are just at the beginning of a new era for architecture, and I am very excited to see where it will take us.
