This week we’re not talking about prompt-generated images or report-writing chatbots. Let’s talk about another frontier of artificial intelligence applied to architecture: the one that helps you understand space before even designing it.
I’m talking about Autodesk Forma, a cloud platform designed to accompany designers in the pre-design phase. This is not a rendering tool, nor a CAD. It is something that comes before all this: a kind of digital “game board” where you can explore hypotheses, test urban form, visualize environmental data in real time. And it is one of the tools on which Autodesk is focusing a lot.
If you remember Spacemaker, forget it: Forma inherits its intelligence but integrates it into a much larger and more collaborative ecosystem.
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A platform to ask questions before seeking answers
Forma’s strength lies in its approach: it allows you to quickly model basic volumes, placed in a real geographic context, and receive immediate analyzes on natural light, shading, prevailing winds, environmental impact, and even embodied carbon. All in real time, as you move a block or change the height of a building.
The result? A virtual space where you can play with design possibilities and receive objective feedback, without having to model in detail yet.
Sure, it’s not a replacement for Revit or Rhino, but it ties in seamlessly with these tools. The geometry created in Forma can be exported and refined elsewhere, transforming the initial intuition into a real project.
How do you access it?
Forma is a cloud tool: all you need is an updated browser (preferably Chrome) and an Autodesk account. If you already have an AEC Collection, you will find it included in your subscription. Otherwise you can activate a free trial or purchase it separately.
Once logged in, you start by choosing the geographical area you want to work on. Forma automatically loads the environmental and contextual data available for that area. Some features may vary by country: for example, wind maps or advanced topographic data are not available everywhere. But even with minimal datasets, the tool works surprisingly well.
A guided test: designing in Forma in 5 minutes
If you want to try it right away, I recommend this official guide (super clear and visual): Quick Start Guide – Autodesk Forma
In summary, it works like this:
- You create a new project and choose a portion of the city.
- Define the limits of the site you want to intervene on.
- Enter one or more “basic buildings” to test masses, heights and occupancy.
- Immediately view environmental data, energy performance, shading, etc.
- Export everything to Revit or others software modeling, if you want to develop the project in detail.
And here you can also find the complete free Autodesk course: Conceptual Design for Architects with Forma
Who is really using it?
Autodesk is pushing hard to spread Forma among professional firms and universities. Among the first to integrate it into their workflows are MVRDV, Stantec, Jacobs, Baker Barrios and other large international studios. Not only for volumetric tests, but also to build more convincing presentations to customers and stakeholders, showing not only what you want to build, but why.
Why should you care?
Because if you deal with urban design, masterplans, regeneration or competitions, Forma can become your digital testing ground, where form and data can communicate before even using BIM software.
It is a new grammar of the project: made up of volumes, numbers and environmental conditions, all to be explored.
And if you want to start experimenting today, perhaps with a batch in your city, all you need is an Autodesk account and 20 free minutes.
See you on the next episode!
The weekly column “Architectural Prompting” is edited by experts Luciana Mastrolia, Giovanna Panucci and Andrea Tinazzo
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