AI

in
Ar
ch
ite
Artificial Intelligence in

ct
ur
e
Kenyan Architecture
Understanding Its Disruptive Potential and Industry
Capacity

Dr Joseph Kedogo | Brian Boit

Tag Line
 PRESENTERS

Arch. Dr-Ing. Joseph Kedogo Grad. Arch. Brian Boit

Researcher/author Researcher/co-author
Head of Department, Department of Graduate Architect and BIM
Architecture and Built Science, TUK Coordinator, Symbion Consulting
Group
ARCHITECTURE AND AI
 PRESENTATION OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION ~ What is Architecture?

II. ARCHITECTURE AND AI ~ Disruption and Potential

CONCLUSION ~ Hungry and Foolish

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 The Oldest Profession

• From idea to …..

• Creation and
destruction
• Constructionism to
deconstructionism

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 Architectural Design Process

• A systematic approach that integrates CREATIVITY,

FUNCTIONALITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY to develop
solutions for the built environment.
• Project Initiation and Concept Development

• Documentation: Schematic Design, Design Development

• Construction Phase

• Post-Construction
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 Architectural Design Process I

• Project Initiation: Brief, Site Analysis, Feasibility Study

• Concept Development: Research and Inspiration,

Brainstorming, Sketching, Sustainability Goals

• Schematic Design: Design Alternatives, Preliminary

Drawings, Client Feedback, Statutory approvals

• Design Development: Refining Details, Collaborate with

Consultants, Iterative Process
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 Architectural Design Process II

• Documentation: Construction Drawings, Building

Information Modelling (BIM)

• Construction Phase: Bidding and Contractor Selection,

Site Supervision, Problem-Solving

• Post-Construction: Handover, Post-Occupancy

Evaluation, Maintenance Plans
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 Architectural Design Process: Key Principles

• User-Centric Design: Prioritize functionality and user

experience.

• Sustainability: Focus on environmental responsibility,

energy efficiency, and resilience.

• Collaboration: Work closely with clients, consultants, and

contractors to integrate diverse expertise.

• Aesthetics and Innovation: Balance beauty with

practicality while incorporating cutting-edge solutions.
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 Vitruvius
A Roman architect 30 BC.—firmitas, utilitas, and venustas

Firmitas: robust and stable sustainability and resilience

Utilitas: fulfill its intended purpose and meet the needs of

its users effectively. user-centric flexibility to meet evolving
needs and technologies (FFF)

Venustas: pleasing and harmonious delight the senses

proportion, balance, and style. Sensitivity to the cultural,
historical, and environmental
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 AI and ARCH
1. Automated Design and Generative Design: Autodesk’s
Generative Design Spacemaker AI
2. BIM (Building Information Modeling) Enhancement:
Revit with AI Extensions,BricsCAD BIM with AI-driven
Workflow
3. Cost Estimation and Quantity Takeoff: CostX, PlanSwift
4. Construction Project Management: ALICE Technologies,
SmartPM
5. AI for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: Tally,
DesignBuilder

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 AI and ARCH
6. Smart Buildings and Predictive Maintenance:
EcoStruxure by Schneider Electric, BrainBox
7. AI-Driven Site Analysis and Planning: Archistar,
Urban AI
8. AI in Virtual Reality and Visualization (virtual reality
(VR) and augmented reality (AR) Enscape, Fuzor
9. AI for Risk Management and Health & Safety:
Smartvid.io
10. AI for Contract Analysis and Management: Kira
Systems, Contract Analytics by Luminance

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 The Problem
In 2021, the global … while in many
construction industry's African countries, AI
adoption of AI tools
implementation in
reached over 12%...
construction remains
below 2% (primarily

<2% limited to pilot

projects and niche
applications)!
 WHY IS READINESS FOR AI ADOPTION LOW?

Pain Point #1 Paint Point #2

Concerns on initial Steep learning

cost of adoption curve

Pain Point #3 Paint Point #4

Possible disruptions of Limited computing

established workflows capacity
 AI IN ARCHITECTURE

Generative AI Predictive AI
Use of machine learning utilizes historical data and machine
algorithms to create design learning models to forecast
solutions based on predefined outcomes such as project timelines,
parameters, e.g., optimizing space costs, and resource needs
efficiency, sustainability, and
aesthetics
 GENERATIVE AI IN ARCHITECTURE

Form and layout optimization, Realistic rendering, interactive

Scenario Analysis on Generative design exploration
Revit
 PREDICTIVE AI IN ARCHITECTURE

Construction schedule forecasting, Predictive maintenance for buildings,

delays and bottleneck detection on structural health monitoring
Schedule Review
 GLOBAL CASE STUDIES

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA): Generative and Machine

Learning in Design
Innovate complex
structures
 GLOBAL CASE STUDIES

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA): Generative and Machine

Learning in Design
 GLOBAL CASE STUDIES
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA): Generative and Machine
Learning in Design
 GLOBAL CASE STUDIES

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA): Generative and Machine

Learning in Design
Local application
Foster culturally relevant designs
while addressing practical
constraints like budget and
material availability
 GLOBAL CASE STUDIES
The Shanghai Tower: Energy Efficiency and Construction
Optimization
AI for:
- Aerodynamics
- energy efficiency
- material selection
- reducing wind loads
- ensuring sustainability

AI analyzes:
- a building’s site
- Orientation
- local climate data
to optimize energy consumption and
material usage
 GLOBAL CASE STUDIES

The Shanghai Tower: Energy Efficiency and Construction

Optimization
Local application
Enhance urban high-rise designs
for sustainable architecture
 GLOBAL CASE STUDIES

Project HALO by Skanska: Robotics and Site Monitoring

High-rise Automation, Labor-Saving, and Optimization

Automating tasks:
- concrete pouring
- Bricklaying
- ensuring safety

Local application
Affordable housing agenda:
- AI robotics
- Improving project timelines
- Reducing labour-related
errors
 GLOBAL CASE STUDIES

XtreeE’s 3D-Printed House: Material Efficiency and

Sustainability
Design and construct a
3D-printed house
- minimal material waste

Local application
low-cost housing sector,
- material scarcity
- high costs
- innovative design
 GLOBAL CASE STUDIES

The Edge, Amsterdam: Smart Building Management

- Optimize energy
consumption
- Adapt to user behaviour

Local application
Kenyan commercial
architecture:
- Energy-efficient, adaptive
office spaces
- align with global green
building trends
 AI TOOLS

Conceptualization and Ideation

Visual concepts from textual

descriptions (DALL-E,
Midjourney)

Hand-drawn sketches into 3D

models (Sketch2Model)

Local application
- culturally nuanced and
innovative designs quickly
 AI TOOLS

Design and Modeling

Automate spatial layouts and

code compliance checks
(CodeComply.Ai)

Local application
- enhance productivity and
ensure regulatory
compliance
 AI TOOLS

Simulation and
Visualization
analyze environmental data to
optimize designs for energy
efficiency (Autodesk Insight)

AI-powered rendering platforms

(Lumion AI)

Local application
- improve client engagement
- achieve climate-responsive
designs
 AI TOOLS

Construction and Automation

automate repetitive tasks (AI

robotics)

Local application
- bridge the gap between
labor-intensive practices
and high-quality outputs
 AI TOOLS

Smarti/Intelligent Building
Management
adapt energy use and spatial
configurations to user needs (AI
building systems)

Local application
- reduce operational costs
 AI TOOLS

Report Writing and Communication

drafting and refining reports,

proposals, and project
documents (Grammarly and
Jasper)

Local application
- drafting and refining
reports, proposals, and
project documents
AI TOOLS: BENEFITS
Automating routine tasks
save architects time to focus on more creative
and complex aspects of design

Generative AI
optimized design alternatives based on
specific constraints

AI-enabled collaboration tools

enhance communication

Predictive AI
improve project forecasting and risk management,
leading to cost savings and better project outcomes
AI TOOLS: BENEFITS
Improved Accuracy and Precision
Data-Driven Decision Making

Cost Savings
Time and labour saves

Enhanced Sustainability
Environmental analysis

Client Engagement and Visualization

Better communication
AI TOOLS: BENEFITS
Enhanced Accuracy in Cost Estimation
Predictive cost analysis

Faster Project Analysis and Reporting

Broader data base equals increased accuracy

Resource Optimization
Predictive analysis of resource need
 AI TOOLS: DISADVANTAGES

Dependence on Loss of Jobs and Skill Limited Creativity and

Technology Reduction Human Intuition
 AI TOOLS: DISADVANTAGES

Ethical and Privacy Compatibility and Data Dependence and

Concerns Integration Issues Quality, Reduced
Human Oversight
 AI TOOLS: CHALLENGES

high initial cost of AI need for specialized limited access to the

tools training necessary
technological
infrastructure
RISK OF FALLING BEHIND FOR THOSE WHO DON'T USE AI

Slower Output Higher Costs Limited

Innovation

Missed Risk of
Opportunities Obsolescence
 AI TOOLS: RECOMMENDATIONS

Training programs infrastructure investments international collaboration

 AI and U

True or False

“AI will not replace

architects, but architects
who use AI will replace
those who don't.”

Stay hungry, stay

foolish