Singularity is when Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Humans merge into a singular process entity that creates opportunities for humans to have superhero powers in business and in their lives. Our industry is about to collide with this new reality. The AEC industry must consider the risks associated with Singularity and the laws that will be challenged. Let’s explore the opportunity.
Building as Computer
During my time in Architectural School, I was in a Work-Study program that had me attend school one semester, then work the other semester. I chose to work at IBM as their designer of trade show booths in the late 1980’s. In order to properly design and showcase IBM products, I had to learn how the computers, networks and other technology products worked. What I learned at IBM was that computer manufacturing was similar to building construction in that Other Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) were identical to building material, equipment and appliance manufacturers and that IBM were similar to General Contractors. Put together the OEM parts and you get a computer. Put together building elements and you get a building. So why not incorporate computer OEM parts into the building process? The result would be buildings as computers. My career has been built on this thesis, that buildings can become computers. The theory is that as each building becomes a computer, linking these buildings together becomes the Internet of Buildings. The first measures of success will be on Security, Safety and Experiences in these urban environments that will lead to inspirational urban environments that will create valued urban environments that will attract valued tenants and homeowners and commercial relationships.
CAD/BIM
When CAD emerged, I often thought of it as an electronic pencil. Similar process of providing design intent to builders. When BIM emerged, a new communication medium provided a new process of providing design intent to builders. BIM’s promise was to enable a clearer vision of how the Built Environment was to be built through filters and lenses of value that can incorporate sustainability, off-site construction, etc. There are various examples of how BIM has improved this process, but its promise of being the next wave of digital transformation for our industry as measured in BIM success metrics has fallen short. Not a disaster, but not what we expected. The good news is that the younger generation in our industry is figuring out how to successfully implement BIM through the lifecycle of a project. How is this being accomplished? It starts with the 3D geometry deliverable of Digital Twins.
Digital Twins
We treat Digital Twins as a necessary part of a holistic Digital Asset process. By leveraging digital twins as part of our Construction Documents, we continue to use the digital twin in facility management and operations. We are beginning to use the digital twin for smart building processes and urban management. We are learning to use the digital twin with functions beyond the 3D geometry by tying together different systems and functions like ERP, blockchain, AI, and sensor data to the digital twin model that provides a robust tool. We are also now defining a digital twin as a series of different views of data that mimic the physical environment, meaning, we do not consider a digital twin just a 3D model, but a definition that all data associated with the physical asset is a digital twin/digital asset. An emerging best practice of using a digital twin as a comprehensive repository of a digital asset is the use of reality capture and motion capture. The data capture of our built environment involves a number of data acquisition tools and processes that utilize both reality capture and motion capture to “construct” our existing built environment into a useful digital asset. With some existing buildings, there is the opportunity to utilize their existing Internet of Things (IoT) equipment (CCTV, Sensors, etc.) to integrate into Digital Twins, providing a higher level of real time monitoring, analysis and reporting. Capturing existing capital asset data through reality capture/motion capture or new construction via BIM, our industry has the opportunity to create digital twins that will be valuable beyond construction documents. The medium of communicating design intent to the constructors of our built environment is shifting from 2D to 3D to a medium of interaction that will involve a new interface that those who are in the gaming community will recognize, an avatar.
Virtual Worlds/Industrial Metaverse
Avatars are the primary interface with an emerging new medium of digital twins acting as a Virtual World, that some are calling the Industrial Metaverse. By inserting BIM/digital twin models into a gaming engine, you now have a tool that communicates, coordinates and collaborates with a wider audience with more accurate and valued information. Working within an Industrial Metaverse environment, we are better understanding the relationship between gaming tools and functions with our built environment needs. We are experimenting with job sites as a never-ending game, just like in the gaming world. When the physical day ends and humans leave the job site, a transition to the digital twin/virtual world occurs where humanoid avatars take over job site functions. We are beginning with back office work like reconciliation, recorded injury documentation, and delivery verification of workers and materials for the next days work. The humanoid avatars look like the person it is emulating and through AI and Deep Fake technology, certain aspects of unique and accurate decision making from the person creates a digital twin of all on the job site. Other emerging gaming functions we are exploring is the use Non Player Characters (NPC) as subject matter experts, leveraging Large Language Models (LLM) that provide discreet nomenclature, vocabulary, and taxonomy for functions and roles of the design and construction community as well as building types, construction methodologies, etc. The emergence of gaming tools and frameworks for the built environment is creating the opportunity for a Cyber-Physical relationship as a foundation of a new gateway to the future. Singularity.
Singularity of the Built Environment
The Singularity of the Built Environment refers to a concept borrowed from the idea of technological singularity, but applied specifically to urban development, architecture, and construction. It suggests an emerging scenario where advancements in technology, materials science, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics converge to fundamentally transform how buildings and cities are designed, constructed, and operated. The Singularity of the Built Environment will include:
- Advanced Materials and Construction Techniques: Innovations in materials science will lead to stronger, lighter, and more sustainable building materials. Techniques like 3D printing and modular construction will become widespread, drastically reducing construction times and costs.
- AI and Design Optimization: Artificial intelligence is beginning to revolutionize the design process, generating optimized building designs based on factors like energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and structural integrity. AI will also predict maintenance needs and operational efficiency.
- Smart Cities and IoT Integration: Cities are becoming highly interconnected, with IoT (Internet of Things) devices embedded throughout urban infrastructure. This enables real-time data collection for better city management, from traffic control to energy usage.
- Renewable Energy Integration: The Singularity of the Built Environment will see widespread adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal, integrated seamlessly into building designs and urban planning.
- Adaptive and Responsive Environments: Buildings and cities are becoming more adaptive and responsive to their surroundings and inhabitants. This includes dynamic building facades that adjust to sunlight, self-monitoring systems that adjust internal conditions based on occupancy, and even self-healing materials.
- Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality: AR and VR technologies are enhancing the way architects and urban planners visualize and interact with designs, allowing for better stakeholder engagement and more efficient design iterations.
- Ethical and Social Considerations: As with any technological advancement, the Singularity of the Built Environment needs to address ethical concerns such as privacy, security, equity, and the impact on local communities.
The Singularity of the Built Environment represents a gateway to the future where technological breakthroughs lead to unprecedented advancements in how we conceive, build, and live in our built environments. It envisions a convergence of disciplines and technologies to create smarter, more sustainable, and more responsive cities and buildings.
Bio:
Paul Doherty, AIA, CSI, CDT, IFMA Fellow, DFC Senior Fellow
Paul is Managing Partner of The Digit Group, Inc. TDG (www.thedigitgroupinc.com), a Singapore-registered Smart City real estate development and investment company. As seen on Bloomberg TV and The Wall Street Journal, acknowledged by CNBC as one of America’s Business Titans and reported by Forbes as “Changing the World”, Paul is an award-winning architect. a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council and a Fellow of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). Concurrently, Paul is the co-founder and producer of the critically acclaimed AEC Hackathon (www.aechackathon.com). Paul’s current work includes the design, planning, construction and operations of Smart Cities around the world.
