Assessing site feasibility can be an arduous and time-consuming process. Developers, builders and architects alike play Tetris with multiple layouts in an effort to get the most logical and profitable configurations within the parameters of allowable development.
One Australian startup is looking to make the process a whole lot easier. Archistar has developed a new technology, the Archistar Parametric Site Maximiser, that can generate thousands of permutations per hour. Everything is in accordance with government planning guidelines, so it can expedite the process and enable developers and architects to rapidly analyse sites and maximise their yield.
The technology can be used for apartment configurations, townhouses, and house and land packages, saving weeks of manual effort in identifying land potential.
The technology aids the creative process for architects with the ability to create hundreds of generative designs at the outset of a project. Concept design can be a time-consuming and costly process for architects as they need to consider all aspects of the land—both above and below the ground. For instance, a block of land might tick all the boxes for above-ground development, however, an underground parking lot may not be possible, thus making the project infeasible.
Technology Making Waves Across the Industry
The software has already attracted high profile investors like Tom Southern, ex-CBRE CEO, Graham Mirabito, ex-CoreLogic CEO and Peter Tonagh, ex-News Corp Australia CEO. Archistar’s tier one partner network includes Core Logic, Near Map and Cordell.
The company has also secured some well-known industry experts into its personnel ranks, including CoreLogic ex-General Manager of Sales, Richard Crnek who joined the business in late 2018. You can already find heavyweights like JLL, CBRE and Ray White amongst its clients as well as leading Australian universities.
More Efficient and Informed Development
Archistar Founder and CEO Dr Ben Coorey has a PhD in Parametric Design and is a world expert in the field. He leads a development team of 20 plus experts. Jobsite spoke exclusively to Dr Coorey about how the technology will revolutionise the architectural and construction industries.
“Archistar enables property professionals and homeowners to click on the map and instantly generate building designs that meet local government regulations. Developers, agents and government departments are using the platform to find new sites and test scenarios,” he said.
“Our platform is not just for industry. It can also be used by homeowners to understand their design and development potential."
“By making the fundamentals of feasibility instant, we will see more efficient and informed development—it’s technology that can remove ‘back of the envelope’ projects. In a softening property market and a tighter lending environment, being informed and making the right decisions is more important than ever for the property sector.
“Our platform is not just for industry. It can also be used by homeowners to understand their design and development potential. With more information at their fingertips, they can have informed development conversations and understand the true value of their property. In fact, since the launch, over 4,000 Australians have downloaded a property report via our platform to assess their options,” he continued.
The program calculates the most economically viable solutions while taking into account local government planning regulations and legal limitations. It also provides the implications for more sustainable, economical and attractive buildings.
Proven Success
Archistar has already clocked up success, helping a developer in India to create an additional 120 apartments with unobstructed views in a recently completed development. What’s more, there were actually no building design changes made to the computer generated plans. In Australia, another developer has recently managed to fit additional eight units into a recently completed development.
“Archistar has created a world-first property platform that uses big data and artificial intelligence to generate 3D building designs. In simple terms, we have built an engine that analyses regulations from over 500 councils to provide instant design and feasibility options,” said Coorey.
All council regulations and zoning are pre-programmed, meaning the engine doesn’t need to be tailored per client.
"In simple terms, we have built an engine that analyses regulations from over 500 councils to provide instant design and feasibility options."
In India, Archistar has already signed a distribution agreement with leading property portal, Proptiger. Meanwhile, in China, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the number one Chinese international property portal, Juwai.
Archistar has indicated that it will also be able to tackle larger urban developments, such as public space, mixed-use and retail.
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