Depending on your definition of an architect then yes certain aspects of architecture and design can be done by artificial intelligence. Concepts and photo real illustration can be produced after the entry of certain criteria. Larger scale urban developments such as apartment blocks are already being designed to suit an area and can produce AutoCAD drawings.
Will AI put architects out of business?
There is currently a limit to how far artificial intelligence can go in the human touch, it will never develop empathy which a lot of good design relies on. There will likely always be the need for human to human interaction to understand what is required and certainly to present outside the box thinking. One of my main design skills involves the subtle reading of client engagement with ideas.
AI will always be inside the box but the box will get a lot bigger. The key decision makers and sales people of the company might be safe for a while yet but the mid level technical staff could be in trouble. Mundane repetitive tasks and solutions can easily be replaced and it will save time and money for the company. There is also the surveying aspect of the process which still often requires a physical presence.
Should I use an AI Architect?
An AI architect can produce multiple concepts placing buildings in landscapes, and varieties of 3D models which could be good for inspiration. At the moment it cannot give guidance on technical planning issues, listed buildings or consultants’ reports. This is where you may well find issues quite soon into your journey, and why AI alone can’t quite do the trick.
Planning and building regulations by AI
Planning drawings do follow a typical format however some councils vary in their requirements and getting plans amended through AI would be difficult. Planning statements and specialised consultants will be harder to replicate via AI. Basic building regulations drawings can be done but any advanced guide for builders like working drawing will take a lot more thought and set-up to get right.
Will Online Architects Become AI Architects?
Online architects rely heavily on the client providing the information to produce the drawings, and so perhaps this lower quality service could be replaced by AI. If there is no real need for intricate or original design and the software is available to produce the existing plans, and then designs can be applied. It will however be more difficult to get planning or building regulations drawing.
Can AI produce an extension drawing
AI can design an extension and it could sit it on your house if it was drawn accurately in 3D. It could also give a variety of options. What it won’t be able to do is provide designs against the current built structure limitations or adapt to unknown variables. The cookie cutter or adaptation from an existing resource will be as good as the source data i.e. the pre-drawn existing plans. So much work would need to go into the production of existing drawings from a physical survey the actual cost saving from a design would be minimal. At this moment in time extending or renovating your home really needs a personal hand.
Summary
As per BIM, AI will likely suffer from the ‘you are what you eat’ philosophy, with the quality and technical accuracy being only as good as its source data. BIM relies heavily on the data set up to produce technical building and building regulations details. AI sources data from a myriad of sources but it will need to know how to stay up to the regulations. AI will certainly take a lot of employment but save architects time and money. There are better applications for AI on a global scale for sustainable design options.
