When Warren Johnson created the thermostat back in 1883, the history of building automation officially began. The component senses and controls a physical system’s temperature, and back then it was a straightforward mechanism that responded to a drop in temperature by turning on a light in the boiler room, signaling to janitors when to add more coal to the furnace to keep the building warm. Construction in the United States was spurred by developmentalism and housing policies as a result of the Marshall Plan’s impacts and the post-war economic stability, leading to an increase in the number of structures with automation systems, most notably the Seagram Building, which was constructed in 1958. Around the same time, future avant-garde movements like ArchiGram and the Japanese Metabolists began to take shape, presenting ideas that foresaw various ways in which people may interact with the built environment and experience life. The idea of “smart buildings” began to consider the design process, construction methods, components, and environmental concerns as technology advanced. Ever since, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has advanced, enabling more useful and economical designs as well as a more intelligent building site.
Present Scenarios
The utility of artificial intelligence (AI) in the construction industry has grown significantly. AI has several benefits which include preventing cost overruns, better design through a generative approach, risk mitigation, and assisting post-construction. Robotics in architecture and construction is changing the way designs are addressed completely; it is being used at every stage from the building plan to the development. In these endeavors, mechanical autonomy plays a significant role in carrying out risky tasks and lowering the risk to human workers. The sector will progress significantly as new technologies become practical and make working conditions simpler. As a result, AI combined with Robots will naturally play a significant part in the process because of their expanded application areas, focused Research & Development, and greater funding. In the present scenario; according to experts, AI text-to-image programs like Midjourney, DALL-E, and Steady Diffusion have the potential to alter how architects approach the concept and production phases of creating structures and goods. Many Information & Technology (IT) firms have introduced software in the last year that transforms text inputs from users into AI-generated graphics using neural network AI systems. Considering the aforementioned; automation and robotics may be applied to many areas of architecture and construction, including design, landscaping, interior design, manufacturing processes, materials, and structural systems. For further enhancement and implementation of automation in the construction industry, cloud-assisted augmented reality (AR)/ virtual reality (VR), integration of AI with Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure, 4D printing, radio frequency identification (RFID) adopting blockchain in the construction industry, and smart robotics.
Future of Architecture
Looking forward to a smart and futuristic era, architects and urbanists are developing new applications for this technology beyond simple modeling, building, assembly, and energy efficiency. Future design and construction projects like creating living structures are predicted to benefit even more from robotics. The materials used are designed to alter under various weather circumstances, such as strong light, high or low temperatures, or overcast weather, and are connected to a machine learning network and smart cities. Although automation and AI would not yet replace architects, this does not mean the profession is not seeing substantial changes in its practice. For example, the manufacture of technical equipment is optimized thanks to computers and software, which also makes it possible, among other things, to atomize the size of architectural offices. Computers and software minimize time-consuming and repetitive jobs.
Every time, more complicated projects can be completed with fewer architects. Beyond science and arithmetic, architecture also involves art, psychology, and interpersonal skills. The skill and sensibility that an architect possesses have yet to be matched by a computer. Because of this, architecture is still very far from being automated; even then, it is unlikely to completely resemble a machine. An android with a core that combines the effectiveness of a computer with the skill of a designer would be a more realistic notion. The work of an architect will continue to be essential to our civilization and a human brain essential to the architect until the brightest brains in the world develop such a person.
But are we ready for this future? If yes, there are many unanswered questions: How to create a pool of smart, yet skilled laborers who can operate or interpret big data? How can the efficiency of machines or software be ensured sustainably? How to deal with data privacy concerns? And most importantly, who benefits from it and who is left behind, especially in developing or global south countries? Construction robots supply the necessary mathematical computations and fine motor abilities for the design, but they lack the human touch, particularly in originality. The main challenges to adopting AI in construction are cultural issues, security, talent shortage, high initial costs, ethics, governance, computing power, and internet connectivity. However, these challenges can be overcome with time and strategic efforts.
References:
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Calderone, L. (2013, 7 15). Robots in Architecture. Retrieved from Robotics Tomorrow: https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2013/07/robots-in-architecture/180/
Delaqua, V. (2021, 7 12). A Brief History of Automation in Architecture. Retrieved from Arch Daily: https://www.archdaily.com/964683/a-brief-history-of-automation-in-architecture?ad_campaign=special-tag
Dreit, B. (2022, 11 16). How AI software will change architecture and design. Retrieved from Dezeen: https://www.dezeen.com/2022/11/16/ai-design-architecture-product/
Petrovic, J., Farahbakhsh, R., & Faskova, Z. (2021). Automation in architecture and its effect on the future of architects. Research Gate.
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Srivastava, A., Jawaid, S., Singh, R., Gehlot, A., Shaik Vaseem Akram, Priyadarshi, N., & Khan, B. (2022). Imperative Role of Technology Intervention and Implementation for Automation in the Construction Industry. Hindawi.
