AI is moving into the residential space, specifically architecture.
ICON, which developed one of the first fully 3D-printed residential projects in the United States, is taking automation one step further. It recently unveiled what it calls Vitruvius, an artificial intelligence program that helps consumers design custom homes online and obtain plans, making the process cheaper and faster.
“The grand vision for Vitruvius is to move from human desire to deliverables, such as construction documents, budgets, schedules, and even automated instructions,” said Jason Ballard, CEO of ICON.
Vitruvius could remember every design and possibility he had ever seen, according to Ballard. He's trained in building codes, construction methods, and structural engineering, so he understands what's possible.
“It's far beyond human capacity,” Ballard added.
The user begins by writing a general idea of the type of house he wants to build. Vitruvius then asks questions, everything from the location of the house, how big it will be, what kind of architecture it will contain, what amenities it should include, and in what style. He then learns from the answers, integrates knowledge from previous designs, and presents designs for three potential homes.
The software can also show what a house would look like if it were 3D printed or in the style of a famous architect, living or dead. Although other AI models have run into problems over possible copyright infringement, Ballard said he's not worried in this case.
“It's not actually stealing anyone's actual work. It's just kind of inspiring the way human artists are inspired,” he said. “I have no doubt that tools like this will change the way we do things.”
Vitruvius debuted at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where both real estate agents and architects tried it out.
“I suspect [AI is] It will be more than a tool. There are jobs that will change. “It is clear that architecture will no longer be the same,” Leonardo Guzman, an architect and builder, said of the technology.
Real estate agent Jenna McAndrews also tried it out and said she liked the technology, but expected it to be used more with architects, rather than replacing them.
“It will definitely save a lot of money, but at the same time you still need people to interact with to change things, but, yeah, definitely to spark ideas just because I'm limited in what I've seen, and that's amazing,” McAndrews said.
The implications of AI in architecture extend beyond just consumers looking to save on architecture fees, Ballard said. He sees this as a game-changer for affordable housing, which often cuts corners to cut costs.
“What happens in affordable housing projects is that we dispense with architecture completely. Even affordable housing projects deserve beauty and dignity, and we think this tool makes that possible, because over time, the cost of using this tool should get closer to the cost of energy,” Ballard said. to operate the system.
