An AI building concept is only as good as the brief it comes from. A vague brief produces generic output. A specific brief produces three concepts that are genuinely useful to you and your architect. Here is what separates a brief that works from one that wastes your time.
The Lot First
Start with the physical facts before you describe the building. Lot dimensions, orientation, slope if significant, and context are what determine what is possible. If you do not know your exact lot dimensions, measure or confirm from a survey not from an agent's listing.
Program: Rooms and Areas, Not Adjectives
Do not describe a 'spacious open-plan living area.' Write '60 sqm open-plan kitchen and dining, connected to a 30 sqm covered outdoor terrace.' Every room should have a target area. If you have a minimum and a maximum, state both. The more specific your program, the more accurately Brox can check whether the massing fits it.
- List required rooms non-negotiable
- List preferred rooms include if area and budget allow
- Specify gross floor area target if you have one
- Note which rooms must be on which floor
- Specify whether units are self-contained, for mixed-use or investment briefs
Budget: Hard Ceiling, Not a Range
If you say 'budget $1.5–2.5M,' Brox will work to $2.5M. Give a hard ceiling that you genuinely cannot exceed. The cost model scores concepts against the ceiling, not a comfortable middle of a range. A hard number forces the massing scoring to be useful.
Performance Targets
- Energy rating target (e.g., passive house, 7-star NatHERS)
- Structural system preference if relevant timber frame, concrete, steel
- Glazing character minimal vs. generous vs. floor-to-ceiling
- Priority trade-off: if budget and floor area conflict, which wins?
What You Do Not Need to Specify
Do not specify facade materials, roof form, or room-by-room finishes. These are design decisions that follow from the concept not inputs to it. Over-specifying at brief stage constrains concept generation without improving it.
Tip
The single most useful thing you can add is a stated priority trade-off: 'if cost and area conflict, preserve area over cost' or the reverse. This gives Brox a deciding rule when scoring borderline options.
Start With a Strong Brief
Brox's brief interface walks you through every required input. A complete brief takes five minutes. The output quality reflects the input quality.
Write a Brief →
