The future of design is already here: how generative design is optimising the AEC industry

Humanity’s demand for well-designed, beautiful living and working spaces is increasing dramatically, in what is set to continue well into the future.  By 2050, over 13,000 urban buildings will need to be constructed globally on a daily basis, according to recent projections by software company Autodesk. 

With demand for buildings only growing, the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry needs to rise to the challenge while managing costs and efficiencies.

Generative design is fast emerging as a solution to this problem. Unlike traditional design, where the process begins with a model based on an engineer’s knowledge, generative design begins with design parameters and uses AI-driven software to generate a range of models within the defined constraints. According to a study by consultancy McKinsey, digital simulation and analysis is now so fast that designs can be evaluated in seconds, allowing generative design systems to explore thousands of design solutions and recommend a design that delivers the most favorable combination of attributes.

Such design techniques have already shown that they can boost performance significantly in real-world applications. Most commonly used in product development, generative design algorithms are reducing costs for development time by between 30 and 50 per cent across several industries, such as automotive and sporting goods. 

Architects and urban planners are already adopting generative techniques to optimise the layouts of buildings and city spaces. Dutch architecture firm the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) used generative design in the development design phase of the New Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam. The technology was used to place seating and test the design of an undulating, triangulated façade in the lower level of the stadium, helping to save time and keep material and construction costs down.

Generative design technologies are increasingly being adopted in the AEC industry to improve automation and optimisation. Industry professionals are utilising the algorithmic problem-solving capabilities to explore design alternatives, identify improved outcomes and make data-informed decisions faster than ever before. For example, a commercial building might need to include a certain number of office spaces and shared community spaces, easy access to bathrooms, and ensure that there is adequate natural light and ventilation, all while considering other factors such as budget and energy usage. Developing a design that meets all of these necessary requirements may take days or weeks. With generative design systems, this development time can be reduced to minutes and can even factor in additional wants, needs and preferences of tenants, employees and other stakeholders. 

While generative design tools have been around for some time, many design firms are still aware of the technology.  It might seem like practical usage of the technology is far off in the future, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Generative algorithms are continuing to evolve, becoming more powerful, more widely applicable, and easier to use. While the technology requires investment in tools, education and cultural change for those willing to commit, the positive effects on time to market and cost are already proven to be significant. It doesn’t only benefit the designer, but also the end user of the space.

At Archistar, we’re accelerating this adoption of generative design techniques by bringing the technology into the workflow to turbocharge projects. Our software allows clients to: 

• generate or draw concept designs in 3D in an instant and view 3D building envelopes; 
• analyse the impact of building designs in the context of the neighbouring buildings, including solar accessibility, ground shadows, building separation and cross-ventilation; and 
• finalise building designs in detail by exporting it to CAD Tools or Rhino with Archistar’s Grasshopper plugin. 

Some of Australia's leading businesses in the AEC space, including Stockland and Aurecon, are already using our generative technology. We’re collaborating with these partners to continually improve algorithms to optimise efficiency at all stages of the design process. 

We know firsthand that the future of design is already here with generative design increasingly being adopted, but for the full potential of the technology to be reached, architects and engineers need to fully understand the capabilities and limitations. Good design disciplines still matter as designs must still be validated to ensure the design can be constructed using the intended process. This human–machine collaboration will continue to evolve as algorithms get smarter and we learn how to fully utilise these new tools to optimise all aspects of property design.

Dr Benjamin Coorey is the chief executive officer and co-founder of Archistar.

References

• https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/operations/our-insights/how-generative-design-could-reshape-the-future-of-product-development#
• https://designbuild.nridigital.com/design_build_review_oct20/generative_design_future_digital_architecture
• https://interestingengineering.com/generative-design-proves-that-the-future-is-now-for-engineers