Have you ever thought about what changes would occur in the world of architecture if you could use smart computers to solve the most complex and difficult problems and benefit from them as a complete or partial substitute for human activities? By implementing artificial intelligence in architecture, you can create extensive transformations in building design processes, such as smart plans and facades. This scenario may seem unlikely at first glance, but reality shows us the remarkable applications of artificial intelligence or Artificial Intelligence in architectural design. Thanks to artificial intelligence applications in architecture, experts have achieved exciting results in the construction sector. This article will examine the types of applications of artificial intelligence in architecture.
What is the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Architecture?
In this section, we intend to talk about the relationship between artificial intelligence and architecture. What exactly is meant by artificial intelligence in architecture? Artificial intelligence is an innovative technology that allows machines and computer programs to adapt to new inputs, learn from experiences, and perform functions such as learning, reasoning, decision-making, and visual interpretation that require human intelligence.
Regarding architecture and design, artificial intelligence can act as a research tool that can quickly analyze building projects and provide sufficient answers for the most complex problems, while human intervention is minimal. Artificial intelligence operations are based on intelligent and repetitive algorithms and advanced techniques and methods that allow the software to process a huge amount of data quickly. The interesting point is that intelligent systems can evaluate and measure their performance and develop additional skills in each process of processing these data.
Artificial Intelligence Techniques
Now that we have understood the relationship between architecture and artificial intelligence, it is better to introduce the most common artificial intelligence techniques. Depending on the intended goal, these techniques can solve problems. Artificial intelligence techniques include:
- Machine learning: This technique is related to the study, construction, and execution of algorithms that allow computer systems to learn and predict automatically. In this way, they start from input data and reduce the error rate in each learning process.
- Neural networks: A type of machine learning composed of interconnected units similar to human brain neurons that can repeatedly analyze large sets of data to find relationships and interpret the meaning of unknown data.
- Deep learning: An approach based on machine learning that takes cues from the human brain and uses huge artificial neural networks to process information, find connections between data, learn from complex models, and more.
- Cognitive computing: Another branch of artificial intelligence that aims to achieve a natural interaction between humans and machines and allows computers to mimic how the human brain works while performing a complex activity.
- Computer vision: The ability to review and interpret the content of an image through pattern recognition and deep learning. With the help of machine vision, intelligent systems can capture images or videos in real-time, interpret the surrounding environment, and identify the components of visual data.
Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Architectural Design
To better understand the relationship between architecture and artificial intelligence, it is necessary to become familiar with the techniques of this technology in different fields of architecture and urban planning, such as facade and plan design. On the other hand, the widespread growth of this science in architectural design provides the possibility of fully utilizing it. Some of the technologies related to this field are:
- Building Information Modeling (BIM): This modeling is an advanced digital process that provides the possibility of collecting the necessary information for managing the project's entire life cycle in a single model.
- Internet of Things (IoT): A system of interconnected computing devices that can transfer data through the network without human interaction.
- Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): Technologies that allow the user to immerse themselves in a virtual architectural model of a building or integrate physical reality with the digital world to evaluate the final performance of a project.
The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Architecture
The application of artificial intelligence in architecture is extensive and diverse, allowing experts in this field to engage with complex problems and improve the overall efficiency of their projects. The following are eight important applications of artificial intelligence in architectural design.
Parametric Architecture
A repetitive design method that enables you to play with specific parameters, test different types of outputs, and create creative and very complex forms. Compared to traditional methods, parametric architecture allows architects to reduce their design times significantly so that architects can choose their desired output and change the shape of the building several times according to different needs.
Generative Design
A project optimization technique that, unlike parametric architecture (Parametric Architectural), uses constraints and input parameters to solve a design problem and applies intelligent algorithms to the same parameters to perform the optimization process to find the best solution. In a generative design, the designer, along with defining the constraints and objectives of the project, provides evaluation criteria for the software to use to classify the results and get closer to the optimal design.
Integration with BIM
BIM software manufacturers will rely on artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency and potential of their programs. With the help of these tools, a huge amount of information can be collected that artificial intelligence can use for research in any part of the project and provide optimal solutions quickly. Using machine learning, BIM software equipped with artificial intelligence improves the design and construction processes of buildings.
Rendering
Artificial intelligence allows architects and designers to create realistic and professional images of architectural projects. By integrating intelligent functions, software renderings can automatically adjust parameters and provide the possibility of creating images with the highest quality without any special effort from the user.
Home Automation
By integrating artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies, various ways can be used to develop smart buildings to optimize energy consumption and improve the safety and comfort of buildings.
Construction and Safety
Machines and robots equipped with artificial intelligence can perform repetitive and risky construction operations almost independently and accelerate the project's progress to a great extent. Also, with the help of smart drones, the safety of the desired location can be greatly enhanced.
Planning
With the help of powerful artificial intelligence tools, designers can be helped to simplify the planning processes so that they can access countless amounts of data and easily perform tasks such as analysis, cost estimation, activity planning, identification of potential threats, etc.
The Advantages and Challenges of the Future of Artificial Intelligence in Architecture
Artificial intelligence has offered countless creative opportunities and is an essential tool in architectural projects. A software with its intelligent functions will be able to analyze data more efficiently and can help architects implement new architectural design techniques. Some of the other benefits of using artificial intelligence in architecture and design are:
- Significant reduction of design time
- Helping to improve the potential customer experience
- Examining all aspects of the project before its actual implementation
- Optimizing the planning and construction processes
- Helping to build more efficient and sustainable buildings
Final Words
The widespread applications of artificial intelligence in architecture have opened up a new world for designers and architects, enabling them to do their work faster and manage several projects more efficiently at the same time. How much you can use artificial intelligence in your designs as an architect depends entirely on your enthusiasm for learning this field. Don't forget that by learning the capabilities of artificial intelligence in architecture, you can significantly expand your work.
