A quick share about a fun test I did this week with my NDSU graduate architecture students in my AI in Architecture seminar.
I showed three AI chat tools in Revit: Autodesk Assistant, Mira by Pirros, and SWAPP. We talked about basic tasks like dimensioning and room and door numbering.
- Both Mira and Autodesk Assistant are free. Mira also has a paid plan. Autodesk Assistant only works in Revit 2027.
- Click here to download Mira.
But can AI help us check a design without doing the designing?
One possibility is reviewing drawings and specifications for QA/QC. For this test, I asked a specific sightline question: Can someone standing outside Restroom 107 see the urinal when the door is open?
The screenshot below shows two different approaches. Autodesk Assistant suggested ways I could manually investigate the sightline in Revit. Mira attempted to answer the question by analyzing the model, explaining its assumptions and identifying uncertainties.
- I added the red arrow.
That distinction made for a useful classroom discussion. An answer still needs verification, but getting AI to engage with a specific design condition is an interesting step beyond asking it to number doors.
We’ve talked about “clash avoidance” rather than “clash detection” for years. Perhaps AI can also help with a little “bad design avoidance.” lol
