Thought Leadership
The future of design isn't about BIM, it's about AI
by Joe Stott
BIM Manager
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Symetri Digital Construction Summit in Stockholm. I went in with certain expectations, but I came away with a clear conviction that the conversation in our industry has fundamentally moved on.
At an event billed around Building Information Modelling (BIM), what struck me most was that the most interesting discussions were not actually about BIM at all. Instead, they focused on the practical application of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
It’s clear that BIM is no longer the final destination; it is simply the price of entry. It provides the digital foundation. The real innovation is now happening on top of that. I saw many fascinating presentations and came away with two key personal takeaways that, for me, crystallise the AI-driven shifts shaping how we design, deliver and manage buildings.
From manual optioneering to AI-powered design exploration
The first development that really captured my attention was the growing maturity of generative design platforms. In the early stages of a project, the process is familiar, we manually produce a number of design options to explore a site’s potential. While this is effective, it is naturally shaped by time and resource.
What I saw were intelligent systems where core project constraints such as a client’s schedule of accommodation, performance targets and site parameters can be input, allowing the platform to generate hundreds of viable, data-rich options in minutes.
The value here is not automation for its own sake. It is about augmenting the ability of our brilliantly diverse teams. These tools allow us to explore more possibilities, test ideas more rigorously and bring more considered options into client conversations at a much earlier stage.
Crucially, the role of the designer becomes even more important. It takes experience, judgement and technical knowledge to ask the right questions, interpret outputs with a critical eye and shape them into a coherent design response. Used in this way, AI helps de-risk investment and supports more confident, informed decision-making from the outset, driving positive outcomes for the people and communities we design for.
From slow scans to intelligent digital assets
The second area that stood out was the application of AI to the Scan-to-BIM process. For anyone involved in refurbishment or retrofit, the challenge of creating a reliable digital model from a laser scan is well understood. It’s a highly skilled but often time-intensive task.
New AI-enabled systems are now being trained to interpret raw scan data and automate the creation of structured, data-rich models. This has the potential to remove a significant bottleneck.
For the work we do in retrofit and asset management, this is particularly important. It moves us closer to creating accurate digital twins (virtual replicas of physical buildings used for analysis) at scale, in a way that is commercially viable.
High quality, reliable data is fundamental to long-term operational planning, from maintenance strategies through to decarbonisation. AI does not replace the need for professional oversight, but it does provide a smarter, more efficient route to generating the information our clients rely on to manage their buildings effectively and sustainably.
A pragmatic way forward
The shift from manual digital processes to a future supported by intelligent, automated systems is already underway.
This is not about technology leading the conversation. It is about how we use it responsibly and transparently to support better outcomes. By embracing these tools in a considered way, we can reduce time spent on repetitive tasks and focus more on creative thinking, technical problem solving and meaningful collaboration.
For our clients and partners, this means clearer insight, stronger evidence to support decisions and ultimately buildings that perform better over the long term. For us, it is a natural progression. As with BIM before it, the opportunity lies not just in adopting new tools, but in developing the expertise to use them well.
I would welcome the opportunity to continue the conversation and explore how these approaches can support your projects. Get in touch
Frequently asked questions
AI is supporting both the design and ongoing management of buildings. In design, it helps generate and test multiple options quickly, improving quality and clarity early on. From a building consultancy perspective, it enables better use of data to plan maintenance, manage assets and track performance over time. The result is a more joined-up approach from concept through to operation.
AI provides faster access to reliable insight. For new projects, it helps shape better design outcomes and supports informed decision-making. For existing buildings, it improves how data is captured and analysed, helping identify issues, prioritise investment and plan upgrades. This leads to more efficient delivery and stronger long-term value.
AI allows teams to test assumptions earlier, identify potential clashes or performance gaps and explore different scenarios before committing to a solution. During operation, it supports proactive asset management by highlighting risks such as maintenance issues or underperforming systems. This reduces uncertainty and supports more confident planning.
AI is particularly valuable in understanding existing buildings. It can process survey and scan data to create accurate digital models, which form the basis for assessing energy performance and planning improvements. This helps clients prioritise interventions, reduce carbon emissions and deliver practical, cost-effective retrofit strategies.
AI enhances the work of architects, surveyors and consultants, but it does not replace their expertise. Professional judgement is essential to interpret data, balance competing priorities and ensure solutions are safe, compliant and commercially viable. The most effective outcomes come from combining intelligent tools with experienced, multidisciplinary teams.
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