The MaCAD is a unique online programme training a new generation of architects, engineers and designers ready to develop skills into the latest softwares, computational tools, BIM technologies and AI towards innovation for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.
Computational design can feel like a field you need permission to enter, a space guarded by complex software, specialized knowledge, and a career path that isn’t clearly written anywhere. But after sitting down separately with Aaron Porterfield, developer of the open-source Grasshopper plugin Crystallon, and Aman Agrawal, founder of Cademy and computational design specialist at … Read more
Artificial Intelligence is often discussed in the AEC industry through extreme narratives, either as fully automated architecture or algorithms replacing designers altogether. But in reality, AI’s impact is much quieter and much more practical. Today, AI is not designing buildings for us. Instead, it is supporting the many process-heavy tasks that surround design. AEC workflows … Read more
MACAD 25-26 Theory Seminar Reflection This essay reflects on my evolving understanding of the purpose of Artificial Intelligence in architecture, engineering, and construction following the Theory seminar at MACAD. Rather than attempting a comprehensive overview, it centres on a specific experience that crystallised broader implications about how these tools are restructuring design practice. My initial … Read more
From automation to infrastructure Before starting this course, I primarily understood Artificial Intelligence in the AEC industry as a productivity tool—something used to automate repetitive tasks, accelerate modeling, or optimize isolated steps within the design workflow. AI was, in my mind, an add-on: powerful, useful, but largely standalone. Over the duration of the course and … Read more
The Purpose of AI in the Age of Resource Scarcity Introduction: Redefining the Question The question “What is the purpose of AI in AEC?” often elicits a predictable response focused on speed. For years the industry has viewed Artificial Intelligence primarily as a mechanism for automation. It is seen as a faster way to produce … Read more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in ways we’re only beginning to understand. As computational design and software advances and is tasked to handle more complex and data-intensive forms, AI offers real potential to optimize workflows and improve design team collaboration from initial concepts on Schematic Design (SD) to … Read more
AI in AEC is often pitched as a design generator or a shortcut to faster output. We pushed a more real definition: AI’s purpose is decision support, helping teams see risk earlier and choose better options, while humans remain accountable. AEC is a chain of high-stakes decisions made under pressure: feasibility, coordination, procurement, construction risk, … Read more
Bab al-Luq Market in Cairo was designed to be bright, legible, and hygienic—then decades of add-ons and wear turned it into a dim, confusing interior. This proposal makes one clear move: a parametric double-skin roof that diffuses daylight and defines a readable circulation spine. Location: Cairo, Egypt Climate: Hot, dry, sunny Typology: Historic market hall … Read more
The project explores a contemporary reinterpretation of Finnish cabins, combining seasonal water living, public wellness, and boating storage. The core idea is that small modular units — cabins, saunas and workspaces — can aggregate into larger urban and social systems. Helsinki has a harsh Nordic climate, with long winters ranging from –10°C to +25°C, high … Read more
AI in intelligent architecture enhances design efficiency, sustainability, and user‑centric spaces. Key benefits include automation, data‑driven insights, and optimized building performance. Challenges involve data privacy, high implementation costs, and skill gaps. The future promises adaptive buildings, predictive systems, and seamless human‑AI collaboration shaping more resilient, responsive, and sustainable built environments. 1. AI-Driven Design Innovation Generative … Read more
Introduction: More Than a Robot in a Hard Hat The buzz around Artificial Intelligence in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is impossible to ignore. Every conference seems to feature a new tool promising to revolutionize everything from design to demolition. You might be forgiven for picturing an AI as a robot in a … Read more
The Starting Point: AI as a Faster Pencil When I first began this journey on October 9th, I approached AI tools primarily through the lens of efficiency. My initial focus was on faster modeling, optimization, and the ability to test more options in less time. To me, AI was a high-powered calculator—a tool applied after … Read more
In the early stages of learning, artificial intelligence was perceived primarily as a digital aid tools created to improve efficiency, accuracy, and coordination across different stages of a project. AI was largely understood as a decision-support system, particularly valuable during the early design phases, yet always positioned as secondary to human expertise and judgment. However, … Read more
Introduction Floating Grounds proposes a flood-resilient urban model for Jakarta that merges housing, public programs, and a stadium into a single floating system. Instead of resisting water, the project accepts it as a permanent condition and uses it as an organizing element. The work explores how large-scale infrastructure can support community life while addressing land … Read more
Initial Perspective: AI as an Efficiency Tool At the beginning of the course, I viewed AI primarily as a means to enhance productivity. It appeared to be a practical instrument for automating routine tasks, such as refining designs or performing structural calculations. By minimizing errors, reducing time requirements, and lowering costs, AI could expedite project … Read more
What Is the Purpose of AI in the AEC Industry? Artificial intelligence is not only a technology aimed at automating tasks; insights shared during this course demonstrate that AI plays a far broader and more strategic role in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Through real-world applications and practical case studies, AI emerges as … Read more
