Architecture has been taking new turns with rapidly developing digital design and fabrication technologies. Consequently, establishing a link between physical and virtual design methods remains an open area for investigation. This paper explores the contemporary idea generation methods and the role of physical and digital design techniques in the initial design processes of architecture. We report our findings from interviews conducted with 14 participants consisting of experts and practitioners from the architecture field. Then, we discuss potential application areas of the results in the context of HCI research.