Pragmatism in Contemporary Architecture: Analyzing the Impact of Emerging Technologies on Design Creativity, Spatial Optimization, and Architects’ Decision-Making

This study aimed to analyze the impact of emerging architectural technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modeling (BIM), Parametric Design, and Augmented Reality (AR), on design creativity, spatial optimization, and architects’ professional decision-making within the framework of pragmatism. The research was applied in purpose and descriptive–analytical in method, employing a survey approach. The statistical population consisted of professional architects, faculty members, and postgraduate architecture students familiar with emerging technologies, from whom 70 participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire containing 20 items on a five-point Likert scale. Content validity was confirmed by experts, and reliability was verified through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0.84). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, one-sample t-test, and multiple regression analysis in SPSS. The findings indicated that emerging technologies significantly improve design efficiency, spatial optimization, and architects’ decision-making processes. Artificial Intelligence showed the strongest effect on professional decision-making among the technologies examined. Significant positive relationships were found between emerging technologies and spatial optimization (r = 0.76) as well as design efficiency (r = 0.71). However, their influence on design creativity was comparatively weaker, highlighting the continuing importance of human experience and professional judgment in architectural practice. From a pragmatic perspective, the value of emerging technologies lies not merely in their technical capabilities but in their effectiveness in addressing real design challenges, improving the quality of the built environment, and supporting informed architectural decision-making.