How is Machine Learning disrupting the Role of Architects?

Posted on: April 6, 2019, By: Bhagwati Pathak

Overview

We live in a world of computers, where machine learning or computer learning can now perform all the work that humans used to do.  In primitive times, a myth said that architects have the most creative occupation that can’t be replaced so easily and now is getting disrupted. With emerging technologies such as BIM Modeling Services, 3D Printing and Mixed Reality, architects are leaned in the entire digital transformation of ecosystems in construction.

Machine Learning is a field of study that commands computer the capability to learn being programmed. It is the subgroup of artificial intelligence that allows the computer to analyses previous data and intervenes from humans by creating correct algorithms.

There are two main categories in which machine learning is divided: Supervised machine learning that uses labeled data for decision-making and Unsupervised machine learning that depicts raw data. Machine learning is applied to architecture in terms of design ideation, shape recognition, and design space exploration.

Early Times: CAD v/s BIM

CAD Drafting Services during the ’80s and ’90s has replaced the drafting board for architects where they are keen to decide what kind of drawing they need to make such as a plan, elevations before actually making the drawing.

BIM Modeling allows architects to create a complete building design in substantiation. Plans, Sections, etc. can be drawn from a shared model. The automated design is collaboratively worked with a single production tool. BIM helps the architects to collect, assemble and organize all sort of information.

Can computers replace architects?

Every technology that we use has pros and cons but what matters to us is how it can revolutionize our daily operations. Machine learning or computer automation is seen changing the lives of many and how its replacing all the human work. Even it is transforming the work architects used to do such as planning of the project which involves in-depth research on the basis of code, site analysis and another task which can be automated very well as all the information is available beforehand.

The design part is something that becomes difficult to automate as one’s concept cannot be developed and replicate it through artificial intelligence could play a major role here and turn it a possible task to do but it can see compromising of accuracy and details like they could do. Reviewing the construction progress is conducted by the use of technology that can easily be automated and performed in a better way, so architect here spends less time as major work is done by technologies.

Machine learning can help architects investigate with more design options to derive better design. It can help architects to achieve a better understanding of the impact of their design through considering energy, art, and constructability in real-time. A design process is time-consuming activities but making it automated a lot of time can be spent on design effort and planning that can make a design better as per client’s requirements. The major benefit it provides for the architects is to improve upon their design work and bring accuracy and efficiency.

Techniques used in machine learning can layout optimized development and high-quality control on testing of the product and design structures. It brings fewer errors and omission, safer job sites, improved workflow, and meeting project timelines.

Tools and software in machine learning such as WEKA, R Platform, RapidMiner and Orange help in graphical interferences, completion of a project, enhancing visualization and much more.

Conclusion

The construction industry can gain many benefits from the adoption of machine learning that has some limitations. It is said that with the implementation of machine learning it can improve the daily operations of many practitioners involved in terms of efficiency, cutting costs, and safety. Even can improve work quality of them with the help of machine learning and BIM Coordination for design planning, evaluation and reviewing the errors and rectify them on time.

Written By:
Bhagwati Pathak

Bhagwati Pathak is an Executive Director at Tesla Outsourcing Services. Technical Project Management, BIM, Client Management, and Leadership are her forte. With an expertise in BIM and a flair for writing, her articles provide a direction to contractors, sub-contractors, engineers, and architects in employing the right methodology for an Architectural, Structural, or MEP CAD / BIM project.