Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize various industries, and now it’s making its way into the housing space, particularly in architecture. ICON, the company behind one of the first fully 3D-printed housing developments in the U.S., has taken automation a step further with its latest innovation, Vitruvius. This AI program allows consumers to effortlessly design their dream homes online, making the process cheaper and faster than ever before.
Vitruvius, named after the ancient Roman architect, offers a seamless experience for users. The program can recall every design and possibility it has ever seen and has been extensively trained on building codes, methods, and structural engineering, enabling it to understand what is possible. In an interview, Jason Ballard, CEO of ICON, explained that Vitruvius goes beyond human capabilities and aims to provide an end-to-end service, from designing to delivering construction documents, budgets, schedules, and even robotic instructions.
The process begins with the user typing in a general idea of the type of house they want to build. Vitruvius then asks a series of questions about the location, size, architecture style, amenities, and other preferences. It learns from the user’s answers and incorporates knowledge from past designs to offer three potential home designs. Moreover, the program can simulate the appearance of the home if it were 3D printed or designed in the style of a famous architect.
One concern often associated with AI models is copyright infringement. However, Ballard assures that Vitruvius takes inspiration rather than stealing anyone’s work. He compares it to how human artists draw inspiration from each other. With this program, Ballard believes that the way things are done in architecture will change significantly.
Vitruvius made its debut at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where both real estate agents and architects had the opportunity to test it out. Leonardo Guzman, an architect and builder, acknowledged that AI would serve as a tool that changes certain aspects of the industry. He believes that architecture will never be the same again. Real estate agent Gina McAndrews was impressed by the technology and its potential to save money. However, she also emphasized the importance of human interaction and collaboration with architects to make necessary changes and generate new ideas.
Beyond the impact on individual consumers and architecture fees, Ballard sees AI in architecture as a game changer for affordable housing. Typically, affordable housing projects compromise on architecture to reduce costs. However, with tools like Vitruvius, Ballard believes that even affordable housing projects can have beauty and dignity. He envisions that over time, the cost of using this tool will approach the cost of powering the system, making it an accessible solution for affordable housing initiatives.
The introduction of AI into architecture through Vitruvius brings unprecedented convenience, cost-effectiveness, and creativity to the field. While some may worry about the potential replacement of architects, it seems that AI will serve as a valuable tool that sparks ideas and saves money while still relying on human expertise and collaboration. As the technology continues to develop and become more widely adopted, it has the potential to revolutionize not only individual home design but also the construction of affordable housing projects, ensuring that everyone can have access to beautiful and dignified homes.
