Tech Tools Architects Need to Know for 2026
A few days ago I did a complete workshop going through the tools I consider important, particular for Small Design Studios. There is a lot of hype in the market and many tools are either not applicable to the industry or unnecessary for firms not working with massive urban plannings developments.
If you’d like to watch the full workshop, click the link below
Here is my breakdown of the top tools for each phase of the design process.
Click on the Image to Access Full Workshop
Conceptual Design / Pre-Design:
Streamline site analysis, zoning and proposals with Gemini or Chatgpt.
To streamline the process even further create automatizations with custom GPTs, and projects that allow to make the process faster and simpler.
Visualization tools like Midjourney or Nanobanana help in the exploration and ideation process to generate ideas, concepts and design/art direction if using it properly,
Schematic Design:
Speed up the massing and feasibility process with computational design tools such as Finch 3D, Test Fit, Giraffe and Snaptrude. Mainly used for large scale projects like multifamily developments, hospitals or hotels.
The combination of Rhino/Grasshopper or Sketchup is essential for fast mass ideation and iteration during the start of the design process to explore and consolidate the design.
Design Development
In the SD and DD phase BIM is crucial to generate concise architectural drawings and 3d representations to understand the design intent. Revit or Archicad are great for documentation. Work in a Cloud-based environment like Bimcloud or Speckle to democratize the model and make it accessible to important members of the team.
Real-Time Rendering Engines like Enscape or D5 Render are very helpful to leverage the project ecosystem with the stakeholders, team, planning and marketing. From still images to virtual tours these tools are a huge steppingstone if we know how to leverage them properly in the design process. Combine them with AI tools like Veras AI, AI Agents and AI enhancements to make the process faster and artist studio quality.
Construction Documents & Administration
Bluebeam Revu is crucial for revision, editing and record keeping.
Monograph and Procore are tools that could help the project management and administrative processes.