INSIGHTS

Will artificial intelligence replace architects? AI and Architecture

May 12, 2023 2 Comments

Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Architects? AI and Architecture

Lately, all the attention has been focused on artificial intelligence and architecture. AI, as a discipline, is imbued in multiple fields, providing people with new methods and means to solve difficult challenges. “Artificial Intelligence” is simply a computer software system that can perform tasks normally done by humans. It simulates reasoning, problem-solving, and more according to Britannica. So, technology continues to boost at a rapid pace, many industries, including architecture, are wondering whether machines will eventually replace architects.

AI is a powerful tool for architects as it handles repetitive tasks. AI can process information at a fast speed and designers can make decisions and solve problems much more quickly and easily. So let’s explore how AI is already being used in architecture and its role in the Architectural Process. And the possibility for AI to replace human workers, specifically architects, and designers.

There are already artificial intelligence programs that enable their users to generate images from textual descriptions. These tools are useful to assist the Architects with tasks such as:

Design Studies: There are AI software programs that could be used to generate alternative design options based on textual prompts. Architects could input different design parameters and receive a range of generated images, which could help to inspire new ideas and approaches.

Visualization: There are AI software programs that now create visual representations of their designs based on textual descriptions. Helping Architects communicate their ideas to their clients.

Material selection: There are AI programs used to explore different options for materials to be used for a project. Architects could input a description of a desired material and receive a range of images representing that material in different contexts.

FROM AN ARCHITECT’S POINT OF VIEW

However, future applications of AI technology are still up for debate, even among designers known for using it. A trained architect, Andrew Kudless from Matys Design works in Midjourney to create evocative structures – often draped in fabric – and he believes show how material and scenery not typically included in initial architectural plans can change the way that projects are presented to clients.

According to Kudless, certain architectural styles are overrepresented, as well as digitally generated images as opposed to real photography. He used the analogy of classic education, saying that teachers can create biases by focusing on one architect or style and ignoring others.

Architecture studios are currently often awarded projects based on renderings that are expected to bear as close a resemblance as possible to the building eventually constructed. He believes that text-to-image software is more of a powerful tool than a replacement for architects, as it still requires a user with knowledge and skill to produce useful results.

“Like architectural sketches, AI imagery is often colorful and dreamlike, but not necessarily actionable as a detailed plan. It’s not meant to be incredibly accurate or precise. It’s meant to capture a vision of a project quickly.” – Andrew Kudless from Matys Design

Photo of Andrew Kudless using AI Program

In today’s generative AI collaborative software reduces the time planning phase – even for complex projects that involve multiple disciplines.

For Infrastructure. With the complex undertaking of planning and managing cities, towns, and urban regions, AI technology machines can automatically identify the most optimal routes for utilities, which is then updated in real-time as the urban design is being revised. This makes planning labor-intensive and time-consuming.

For Building Information Modeling (BIM). There is now a modeling software that let’s architects place forms and curved shapes enabling architects to experiment and create more fantastical and unique designs. The modeling software also takes most of the calculations, and trial and error from the planning process.

For Pre-Design. AI can reduce the time needed to finalize a project design to mere hours or even minutes which normally takes weeks, months, or even years of planning and meetings with clients before construction begins. And architects need to closely check the design against building codes and zoning laws All of this adds up to a sizable chunk of time in the design process. With artificial intelligence (AI), architects can plug into a huge, constantly-updated database of designs and codes, letting technology generate design variations for the client in real-time.

The photo above of the AI Sketching Phase

Reference https://www.dezeen.com/2022/11/16/ai-design-architecture-product/

For Urban Planning. Smart Cities are the future as they are tailored as an economic opportunity to make communities that are cleaner and space efficient.

AI will be able to help architects and their clients formulate building designs in the first meeting which will also help the urban planners. This includes promptly designing roads and city blocks using local codes, traffic patterns, and other important data.

For Construction. There is already an AI system that allows near-instant generations of site models without the need for user input, specialized in automating the tasks in planning large urban developments. AI is already being used to monitor the movement and interactions between workers, materials, and equipment on construction sites. It also alerts construction supervisors of potential safety and productivity issues as work goes on.

Here are more examples of AI Chat GPT, a language model that assists architects in several ways.

Generating design ideas: Chat GPT can be trained on a large corpus of architectural designs and use that knowledge to generate new design ideas.
Providing technical information: Architects can ask Chat GPT to provide technical information on building materials, construction techniques, or building codes.
Supporting communication: Chat GPT can be used to facilitate communication between architects and clients.
Assisting with project management: Chat GPT can be used to automate certain project management tasks, such as scheduling and resource allocation.

But no matter how sophisticated AI technology gets, it can never match an architect’s ability to analyze situations and make decisions. It lacks the complex human abilities involved in creativity, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Instead, AI is more likely to complement and enhance human creativity, rather than replace it.

AI will significantly impact space planning, design, construction, and project management, reduce waste, integrate sustainable strategies, and help homes contribute to efficient smart cities. Artificial intelligence will smartly enable architecture to open the gates to smart homes; which are complex living & data-driven spaces; Parametric, kinetic design, and complex volumes that are extremely efficient. But in the end, artificial intelligence (AI) system software is a tool that needs a human counterpart to function.

So even if AI is bound to reduce overall project costs, this also means projects will be breaking ground in greater numbers in the future. The need for skilled, experienced architects will similarly rise and that will never make architects obsolete.

ADVERTISING FOR ARCHITECTS – WHY IS IT CONTENTIOUS?

May 12, 2023 No Comments

ADVERTISING FOR ARCHITECTS – WHY IS IT CONTENTIOUS?

Branding is more important today than ever before. Whether customers come across your company through the internet or organically, your propriety name and image must communicate your expertise and value. But why is it questionable for architects to advertise? Let me tell you the history.

In December 1909 at the 43rd annual convention of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), first on the Principles of Practice, advertising was deemed unprofessional, unethical, and condemned. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) prohibited architects from marketing themselves stating that “Advertising tends to lower the dignity of the profession and is therefore condemned”

What period was architecture in the 1900s?

Popular in America from 1880 to 1910, The Queen Anne Style evolved out of the Colonial Revival Style; The Queen Anne style was imported by English Architects who were inspired by the half-timbered walls and patterned masonry of Medieval and Jacobean style buildings.

Photo from https://www.nps.gov/articles/queen-anne-architecture.htm

Photos of US House Kits in the 1900s from
https://www.journeyofanarchitect.com/blog/1900s-kit-homes-as-architecture-products

Photo of Saginaw, Michigan post office (1900-1920)
https://clickamericana.com/topics/places/historic-us-post-offices-early-1900s

Photo of Buffalo, New York post office (1900-1906)
https://clickamericana.com/topics/places/historic-us-post-offices-early-1900s

Advertising in the early 1900s was a new concept, brought about by the birth of mass-produced consumer products and it was the rise of the middle class. Reflecting the mindset of that specific period and general approach to the profession, advertising was forbidden to architects.

Back then, architectural firms relied exclusively on reputation and word of mouth to get clients.

Fearing those that underbid a project would produce low standards of workmanship and potentially damage the professional standing of architecture, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) required that all architects respond to a project with the same price point.

TRANSITIONING: The U.S. Government opens the doors to competition

Finally, about six decades later after the 1909 rules were published, the U.S. Justice Department intervened and began investigating the ethics of various industries, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with grounds that the published rules of fee negotiations were a form of trade restraint.

In 1972, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) signed a decree agreeing to allow its members to submit competitive rates, design proposals, bids, and fee quotations. The transition to advertising a professional service was slow, and shaking off the stigma of impropriety took time. Those that did begin to market their services relied on conservative methods, showcasing previous work and using their reputation to communicate their firm’s value. Branding and marketing techniques remained a minimal consideration, as good work was thought to exclusively win project bids.

During periods of recessions, marketing evolved as the architectural field became more saturated and the economy turned down in the 1980s and again in the 1990s. Suddenly firms were pressed to adopt better marketing strategies to remain ahead and general messaging tactics evolved.

The New York Times published an article from 1990 as a reminder of how many architects faced unemployment, were laid off, their fees lowered, and most of the work was defined and awarded to the same U.S. firms, forcing many to expand their search for projects globally. According to the article, many architects had to strengthen their design planning and renovation practices by accepting less commission too. Architects and Architectural Firms were no longer relying on reputation alone to get clients. With advertising gaining momentum throughout the decades and increasing the acceptability of professionals promoting themselves, architects were finally able to individualize and create brands for themselves.

ARCHITECTS CAN ADVERTISE

Today, it is not so much about what the company does and more about how the company does it. Architects may, in practicing their profession, provide information for the public that is accurate and entirely within ethical and legal contexts, which we can permissibly advertise. The permissible advertisement also means providing consumers, with objective information, presented attractively, but always measured and prudent.

As Andy Ernsting once said, “Clients don’t hire buildings, they hire people to design.”

Service became an increasing point of differentiation, and architecture firms worked to establish themselves as the best service providers. Current successful branding and marketing focuses on a company’s ability to create success for their clients, and a deeper understanding of their needs.

Architects now need to revisit their outdated websites, and portfolios to refresh their branding.

The primary concern when advertising is authenticity.

The architect who is unsure about what may or may not be permissible in advertising its services must always seek advice as a precaution. Marketing communications must not mislead by hiding material information or presenting it in an unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous, or untimely manner. Material information is defined as information that the consumer needs to make informed decisions concerning a product.

Practice for every engagement and make sure you always have a clear message to deliver. Get it right, and your audiences will grow, which means more opportunities for your firm. The ideas behind how to sell architectural and engineering services have changed. Adapting to new technologies will help you to market your firm. Moving forward with the times will help set you apart from your competitors.

Although a fact of everyday life, advertising is a tool that should be used with the greatest of care, particularly for architects because It has been a lengthy process for the architecture field to accept the importance of marketing through advertising.

5 Steps To Manifest A Dream House

May 12, 2023 No Comments

5 Steps To Manifest A Dream House

Realizing one’s dream home can be a simple process that yields fruitful outcomes. You’ll undoubtedly face some obstacles along the way, but they won’t hinder you the way they might have in the past.

Additionally, keep in mind that you are not required to be an expert to use the appropriate tactics. Both novice and seasoned practitioners can use the next five steps.

Additionally, you’ll discover that many of these methods may be applied to other aspects of your life, encouraging success, happiness, and mental health.

Step 1: VISUALIZE AND DRAW IT!

The first step is to immerse oneself in the logistics of finding a new house.

Start with a fantasy board or a dream board. You can in a real sense draw it out. This will assist you with giving substantial pieces of what is critical to you. List everything you can imagine that is important.

What are the key characteristics of a good floor plan when designing your house?

Versatile and Adaptable. Make sure that, whether for your family or that of a future buyer, an office may be readily converted into a child’s bedroom in the future.

Ideal room arrangement. Make sure bedrooms are located away from social areas. Bathrooms shouldn’t be located next to areas used for socializing, such as living rooms or dining rooms. The majority of people prefer it if the kitchen is open to the dining or living areas so the cook can still converse with visitors or watch the kids play.

Size does matter. Consider how many people will be using the space at once when planning any room or hallway. Are they able to move about easily? Is there enough room for all the scheduled activities and furniture?

Meets your lifestyle and priorities. If entertaining guests is a priority, make sure there is a smooth transition from the kitchen to the living room and outdoor area. Make sure your office has ideal lighting and is perhaps in a peaceful area if you work from home. Is it okay if you have to go up three flights of stairs to go from your master bedroom to the laundry room when you do your laundry?

Strike a balance between practical requirements and architectural details. Before falling in love with some grand staircase or floor to ceiling windows, consider the safety of children, cleanliness, heating and cooling bill, and heating and cooling costs.

As you create these lists, you will depict the connections between interior areas, exterior features, and rooms as seen from above. With this you can feel free to revise them because your priorities will probably shift as you go. You might be tempted to add to your list of things you can’t stand or wish to stay away from, but doing so will only focus on the bad and will decrease your vibration, which will make it harder for you to materialize the ideal home.

Step 2: Think of an ideal Location

If you have children or plan to have children, or if you simply want to take care of every little detail, check to see if your dream home is close to hospitals and quality educational institutions. We all require them at some point! It is therefore wiser to choose your home based on these considerations. Consider the neighborhood’s overall quality by taking a broad view of it.

Consider the locations that you will frequently visit, such as gyms, shopping centers, theaters, or other places. Analyze the long-term prospects of the place and see if their closeness suits your preferences. Do you have the wherewithal to handle it? Does it fit well?

But of course, having your dream house in a beach, farm, rural, or urban place can be put to much consideration.

Manifesting a crystal clear picture of the future you want to attract is crucial to manifesting a new home. The easiest thing to accomplish when employing the creative visualization approach is to create an image that is connected to optimism, self-assurance, and positivity. At least once a day should be your goal for practicing this method; you’ll notice that it becomes simpler as you perform it more frequently. It assists you in clarifying your goals and enables you to resonate at the same frequency as your ideal home.

The location is one of the factors that matters most when making a home purchase plan. And it’s not as simple to choose the best one as you might first imagine. You need to study a lot of elements and take into account a lot of different factors. Therefore, it is crucial to realize the value of a superb site right away!

Even if you have located your ideal home, you could later come to regret it if the area is unsuitable for your needs.

While applying your practical thinking, examine maps of the area in question and establish boundaries for your search.

Once more, you can draw boundaries between an ideal, a good, and an acceptable area. For instance, if the ideal property were located in this neighborhood, you may give it some thought. After finishing these two chores, you’ll be in a fantastic position to manifest something concrete.

Step 3: Go to Google Earth Scroll!

Explore the Earth on your computer. Utilize the 3D viewer to examine terrain such as mountains, hills, landmarks, and underwater views. You may pan, tilt, and rotate the screen to get a better look around.

Modify your perspective. Change your viewpoint and explore various environments, use the mouse.

Left-click and hold to look anywhere. Then, move the pointer till the desired view appears.
Click the map and then press r to go back to the default view.

Utilize the navigation controls. The map’s upper right corner contains the navigation controls, which disappear when you aren’t using them.

Mouse over the map’s right-hand corner to display the navigation controls.
Click View Next Show Navigation Next Automatically in the top menu if you can’t see the navigation controls.
Click View Next Show Navigation in the top menu to reveal or conceal the compass.

Explore globally!

Activate Google Earth.
A compass direction arrow should be pointed to.
Hold the left mouse button down. Once you’ve arrived at the area of the world you want to see, let go of the button.

Decide on a standard starting point. Every time you open Google Earth, you can choose a different starting point.

Activate Google Earth.
Go to the place you intend to use as your starting point.
To get the view you desire, rotate, tilt, and zoom in.
Select View Next Make this my start location from the top menu.

The location of your dream home will have a big impact on how well this life upgrading goes. Why is it essential? If you’re still not sure what you should do, consider how this choice will influence you over the long run, when you might want to resale it, for example, as well as in the short term.

What are the deciding elements? Your lifestyle, needs, and future ambitions should all be important considerations when deciding where you wish to reside. So choosing a home’s location can be exciting and terrifying. Some people would say that your future depends on this. Keep calm and let’s look into this more thoroughly.

Finding your perfect home can be challenging, and once you do, you realize that your search is far from finished. You most likely have a few choices, but you’re not sure which one would be best for you. then decide on it based on the area! Any ideal home could become a true nightmare if the community is in complete conflict with your values.

From a different angle, no matter how hard you look, there isn’t a magic wand that can tell you what is the perfect fit for you. You have to know how to play the gamble!

Step 4: Cut out facade and exterior magazines.

Cut out images of exterior that appeals to you from a collection of architecture or interior design magazines while you’re sitting down. Create a collage using these pictures, and then hang it where you can see it every day. The more periodicals like this you peruse, the better. Continue to clip and save pictures of anything else that strikes your attention. You’ll eventually discover that your ideal house is taking shape right before your eyes.

Next, visualize the exterior of your ideal home. How does it appear, and how does it make you feel when you see it? How does it feel to enter the room? Focus on all of your senses as you mentally walk through the entire house. Do you hear any surrounding noises? Does the interior have any odors? What do you think about the house’s aesthetics and how does it make you feel? It is best if you can provide more specifics.

Step 5: Ask a draftsman / visualizer to conceptualize everything.

Be friends with ARCHITECTS, interior designers, or graphic visualizers. They can help you create 3D imagery of your dream house. Do not be afraid to spend a little to compensate for their time helping you bring out the concepts you want for your soon-to-be home.

When your dream house concept is an actual picture, PRINT, and DISPLAY in an area, you can always see.

Manifesting your dream house will be stronger with having your concept VISUAL.

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CALIFORNIA MODULARS is not just a corporate entity; we can be your friend who can journey with you in achieving your dreams. Do not hesitate; allow us to help you start MANIFESTING YOUR DREAM HOUSE.

When is the best time to start home construction?

May 12, 2023 No Comments

When is the best time to start home construction?

Construction projects are best started in the spring., In actuality, building a custom home can take place in any weather, from bright skies and pleasant breezes to the dead of winter with a foot of snow on the ground, but due to lesser demand, the fall and winter months frequently see the lowest prices for building materials and labor.

You may build your house without difficulty in the fall and winter.

There are a few elements that can affect the decision to build a house. The first and most crucial factor is if you can get building supplies before they run out and go up in price in the late fall.

It used to be common knowledge among home builders to put off finishing the roof until spring if they couldn’t finish it before the first snowfall. That is no longer the case. Winter construction is not only feasible, but it can also benefit both the contractor and the owner.

Yes, for the best outcomes, you should construct a new home in the fall or winter. Due to all the natural insulation, it is frequently simpler to do it in the fall and winter. You should start construction in the fall if you’re constructing a smaller home.

Because they knew they would sell the homes in the future, new-home builders frequently constructed foundations in the fall when the weather was nicer. As a result of the decreased demand and tighter financial conditions, they are waiting for customers to place precise orders.

Why would you start building your house in the fall or winter?

There are various advantages to building throughout the fall or winter, regardless of where your plans for a new home are at. Even if it’s true that the weather isn’t always as pleasant as it is in other seasons, employing “off-season” materials will save you money and speed up the construction process. The job is also more economical and completed sooner because availability of materials that might not be easily accessible during the busiest time of year.

https://www.pexels.com/search/home%20construction/

Here are a few reasons why fall and winter may be the ideal time to start if you’re planning to build a house.

Low construction cost: Due to the size of the state and the variety of property markets, California has a wide range of costs associated with building a home. Because there is less demand,fall and winter are typically the cheapest months to buy building materials. The fall and winter seasons are ideal to purchase building materials and construction supplies, for example, products like lumber tend to be more reasonably priced then ies because labor expenses are still low.

You are in no rush: Summer is the busiest season of the year for general contractors and builders. This gives you plenty of time to plan, the earlier you begin your building project, the less that the construction crew will have issues with being overworked and the construction being put on hold. Starting in the spring allows general contractors to schedule subcontractors or electricians before things get too busy later in the summer because they will have greater availability during their busy times.

Getting in touch with contractors and builders in advance is one of the most efficient ways to have a clear understanding of what you need for your home before construction begins. Since the start and completion dates are further apart, more attention may be paid to particular requirements like countertops or floor layouts that would not be feasible while everything else moves along at its own pace during peak seasons. Although it might be challenging to decide when to start a residential construction project. It’s all about the balancing act that is influenced by the precise nature of the project, the local climate, and the project’s budget.

Lower builders’ price: Building during winter and fall might be advantageous for you, especially since many contractors may give discounts in exchange for keeping their staff active during what was previously a slower season it’s simpler than summertime scheduling!

There are other considerations about when is the perfect time to build, and if you feel you need advice from an experienced builder, do not hesitate to contact California Modulars. It will be our pleasure to be part of your journey in building your dream house.