Originally published on May 5, 2023, by Sherry Karabin for UrbanLand Magazine.

Imagine being able to input architectural specifications and design parameters into an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, and have it generate a code-compliant, permit-ready floor plan within a matter of seconds.

Not long ago, that would have been considered science fiction, but today these ideas are in development thanks to AI-focused companies such as Hypar, one of several platform developers seeking to revolutionize the architectural and real estate industries.

And architects like Stephen Coorlas, founder and principal architect of Coorlas Architecture in Northbrook, Illinois, have already begun testing their potential.

“Programs such as Hypar can accelerate the modeling process, saving hours or even days, by automating tasks traditionally performed by humans,” said Coorlas. “The time saved can be used by architects to more responsibly source materials and systems, while giving more thought to how properties are developed in terms of programming, planning, and the usefulness of a site.”