FLUX IMG2IMG WORKFLOW: MATERIAL + LIGHTING STUDY
A self-initiated study exploring how AI-assisted workflows can accelerate early-stage design decision-making. Rather than treating AI as a visualisation shortcut, this project used it as a controlled design instrument — testing how material character and atmospheric light conditions shape the emotional legibility of a space. The study raises broader questions about the role of AI in the architectural design process: not as a replacement for design intent, but as a rapid iteration tool that allows designers to evaluate and communicate material strategies before committing to them
Project Type
AI Workflow Study
Tool
ComfyUI + FLUX.2 Dev
Role
Sole Researcher
Time
Summer 2026
Base Geometry — Clay Render, Eye-Level Courtyard View
A white clay render establishes the geometry of a curved public courtyard, captured from an eye-level vantage point. The composition reveals a sweeping arc of vertical fins enclosing a circular fountain at the space's center, flanked by a triangular canopy volume to the left and a latticed seating element in the foreground. The monochromatic clay model isolates pure form and spatial proportion, stripping away material and light variables to serve as the locked base geometry across eight AI-generated material and lighting variants produced using ComfyUI and FLUX.2 Dev.
ComfyUI Node Graph — FLUX.2 Dev img2img Workflow
The node graph shows the three-step pipeline used to generate material variants from the base clay render. The workflow moves left to right — the clay render is loaded, scaled, and passed through FLUX.2 Dev's image editing node, where the material palette and lighting conditions are defined via a text prompt. A locked seed ensures the geometry remains identical across all variants, with only material and light changing between outputs.
A1 — Concrete + Corten, Midday
C1 — Charred Timber + White Concrete, Midday
A2 — Concrete + Corten, Golden Hour
C2 — Charred Timber + White Concrete, Golden Hour
B1 — White Render + Terracotta, Midday
D1 — Limestone + Steel, Midday
B2 — White Render + Terracotta, Golden Hour
D2 — Limestone + Steel, Golden Hour
Eight variants were generated across four material palettes and two lighting conditions — midday and golden hour — with geometry held constant throughout. The results reveal how dramatically material choice and time of day shift the spatial character of the same structure, from the raw industrial weight of Concrete + Corten to the warmth of Limestone + Steel and the stark contrast of Charred Timber + White Concrete.
B1 — White Render + Terracotta, Midday | Finalist
D1 — Limestone + Steel, Midday | Finalist
B1 and D1 were selected as finalists for their ability to communicate comfort and approachability — a critical quality for a public amenity. The warm, inviting tones of both palettes create an atmosphere that feels safe and inviting, reducing the psychological barrier often associated with public bathroom facilities.