ATLANTA--(FAST COMPANY) – Construction isn’t getting cheaper, and demand for space isn’t getting smaller. Architecture 2030 projects the world will add 2.6 trillion square feet of new floor space between 2020 and 2060. Not only do we need more buildings, but we need ones that are efficient, cost-effective, and support occupant well-being.

The construction industry is woefully inefficient. A 2015 KPMG report found only 25% of construction projects stayed within 10% of their original deadlines. Research has found that design change is one of the top reasons for cost overrun.

How can we improve the architectural design process to eliminate inefficiencies, identify cost savings, and create better projects? The answer is AI. 

It’s not enough to aim for better buildings alone. We need a better building process. Breakthroughs in AI offer powerful solutions—but before AI can revolutionize the process, it must first confront architectural design, the foundation of every successful project.

This phase is characterized by creativity and compromise, where architects strike a balance between aesthetics and function, stakeholder expectations and regulations, and innovation and cost. Understanding the challenges in this stage is key to appreciating how AI can elevate the design process.

The Obstacles Of The Architectural Design Phase

1. Predesign

The predesign phase is meticulous. Architects must create a design that fits project goals, stays within budget, and follows zoning laws and building codes. Projects involving specialized industries such as medicine or chemical storage add further complications.

AI can expedite this process by analyzing a specific site’s zoning laws and environmental regulations and indicating potential site-building challenges, such as slope gradient, flood risk, building height restrictions, etc. AI can also research these concurrently, saving more time.