Artificial intelligence is entering the housing sector, particularly construction.
ICON is taking automation one step further by developing the first fully 3D-printed housing development in the United States. The company recently launched an artificial intelligence program called Vitruvius that helps consumers design customized homes and obtain plans online, making the entire process cheaper and faster.
“Vitruvius’s vision is from human desire all the way to delivery, such as construction documents, budgets, schedules, and even robot instructions,” said Jason Ballard, CEO of ICON.
Ballard said Vitruvius could recall every design and possibility it had ever seen. It is trained in building regulations, construction methods and structural engineering, so it understands what is possible.
“It’s far beyond human capabilities,” Ballard added.
Users first enter an overall idea of the type of home they want to build. Vitruvius then asked questions, including everything from the location of the house to its size, type of construction, what amenities it should include, and what style it should be. It then learns from the answers, incorporates knowledge from past designs, and provides designs for three potential homes.
The program can also show what a house would look like if it were 3D printed or styled in the style of a famous architect, living or dead. While other artificial intelligence models have been in trouble over potential copyright infringement, Ballard said he is not worried about the case.
“It’s not actually stealing anyone’s actual work. It’s just taking inspiration the way human artists take inspiration,” he said. “I have no doubt that tools like this will change the way we do things.”
Vitruvius made its debut at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where real estate agents and architects alike tried it out.
“I think (artificial intelligence) will become more of a tool. Some jobs will change. Obviously, architecture will never be the same,” architect and builder Leonardo Guzman said said when it comes to this technology.
Real estate agent Gina McAndrews has also tried it and said she was impressed by the technology, but expects it will be used more in conjunction with architects rather than replacing them.
“It’s definitely going to save a lot of money, but at the same time you still need people to interact to change things, but yeah, definitely just sparking ideas because I’m limited from what I’ve seen, and it’s just exciting,” McAndrews said.
Ballard said the impact of artificial intelligence on construction is not limited to consumers looking to save money on construction costs. He sees it as a game-changer for affordable housing, which often cuts corners to keep costs down.
“In affordable housing projects we completely abandon construction. Even affordable housing projects deserve beauty and dignity, and we think this tool makes that possible because over time the cost of using this tool should be close to that of energy Cost powers the system,” Ballard said.
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