Artificial Intelligence in architecture, engineering and construction isn’t a far-off dream for the industry
anymore. The ability to utilize tons of previous data in a millisecond to enhance the architecture design
process could be a game-changer in the way the entire industry functions. AI is already playing a role in
tackling the mundane tasks, and also performing creative work like professional designers in different
industries. And it will do the same for architects, engineers, and developers alike.
How Artificial Intelligence in architecture can aid architects
Where cost and time overruns have always been the bane for this industry, AI comes in as a savior. AI
will make the planning process for architects significantly easier by giving them access to countless
amounts of data, interpreting the building environment and creating realistic cost estimates in
practically no time. This will help shortening design and building time significantly.
Currently at MIT, researchers are creating AI-powered drones that have the ability to communicate with
each other to construct small models. AI text-to-image software like Midjourney, DALL-E and Stable
Diffusion have the potential to change the way architects approach the creative and the concept stages
of building design.
Bill Cusick is the Creative Director at Stability AI, believes that software is the “foundation for the future
of creativity”. Indian designer and Midjourney user, Manas Bhatia says, “AI has a huge potential in
solving the thought-to-execution delay”. Software has the potential to change the way in which labor is
executed in architecture and design offices. It can free up labor in the early design stages.
Is AI a threat to architects?
Let’s appreciate here that AI software is more of a powerful tool than a replacement for an architect, as
it still requires a user with knowledge and skill to produce useful, workable results. Artificial Intelligence
technology is like the game of chess which takes a short time to learn but decades to master. AI
generates images based on the designer’s idea that is fed in the form of text, and that idea input will
vary qualitatively from designer to designer. AI is a tool that essentially needs a human counterpart to
function.
We can foresee five distinct areas where Artificial Intelligence in architecture will have a huge impact on
the industry:
1. Parametric Architecture:
Like an architect’s programming language, AI will allow architects to create such structures that
would not have been imagined earlier.
2. Construction and Planning:
AI will makes the architect’s work significantly easier by analyzing huge data and saving a lot of
time, cost, and effort in the process of correction of errors. The overall project time will be
reduced, and accurate estimates will allow tighter controls over cost, the two most vital factors
that determine the success of a project.
3. Laying the foundation:
For an architect, starting off a project requires countless hours of research, both of
understanding the design intent of the project and indicative project data of the past. AI can
analyze aggregate data in milliseconds and recommend multiple options in project models.
AutoReview.AI, a one-of-a-kind AI software for the AEC industry provides Site Summaries and
Site Comparisons in the blink of an eye.
4. AI-empowered smart cities:
The way your city looks could be very different in coming years. City planning is a complex task
that requires years of precision planning. However, a major task of the architect is to
understand how a city will flow; how the ecosystem will co-exist. The emergence of the AI-
empowered Smart City will drive architects to rethink their traditional models. Smart cities will
be places driven by real-time data and feedback through the Internet of Things, communicating
within itself like a living organism. The buildings, smartphones, cars, and public places will
communicate with each other to improve living conditions, limit waste, increase safety and limit
traffic. You can see that trend in some of the world’s most advanced cities.
5. Code Review:
One of the most time-consuming steps in the project life cycle is getting approvals from the
municipalities and counties for Planning and Zoning, Landscaping and Building Permits.
AutoReview.AI is the first-ever suite of AI software performing these reviews with the click of a
button. It will make it an easier task for not only architects, engineers and developers, but also
for the county officials.
At Aligned Studios, we have recognized the vast potential of artificial intelligence in architecture in our
field of operation and see it as a definite benefit in the service package that we offer our clients. It
enhances our quality of work manifold and results in noteworthy time reduction. Our team of very
talented handpicked design consultants can augment your team and processes with their talent. Along
with the AI aided systems in our day- to day operations, we are also incorporating it into the projects for
our clients for their benefit.
Learn how AI tech + Talent solutions can work for your firm. Book a discovery call now.