https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250202/how-can-ai-transform-african-architecture-1070466170.html
How Can AI Transform African Architecture?
How Can AI Transform African Architecture?
Sputnik Africa
Dirah AI, meaning "compass" in Swahili, uses artificial intelligence to analyze location-specific factors like climate, geography, and materials to provide... 02.02.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-02-02T15:52+0100
2025-02-02T15:52+0100
2025-02-02T15:52+0100
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artificial intelligence (ai)
africa
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urbanization
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Sustainable architecture, using locally sourced materials, enables African cities to express their unique identities, Victor Kiarie, founder of Dirah AI, told Sputnik Africa, observing that African cities "can tell their own stories by going back into the past."Kiarie explained that architects often struggle to interpret climate data, so Dirah AI helps them analyze it, and use image generation to visualize how to preserve cultural identity in their designs.He noted that African architecture, exemplified by the climate-responsive design of Maasai manyattas, demonstrates how to use local materials for passive heating and cooling, adding that Africans can also learn from its communal approach to create more walkable cities.According to Kiarie, buildings are often "greenwashed" by adding superficial features to non-sustainable designs.The architect argued that the drive for profit pushes developers to prioritize cheap, fast building methods over sustainable design. To change this, he emphasized, education is needed, starting with developers and architects, and then extending to the public.Kiarie pointed out that the construction industry accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions. He explained that AI can process extensive urban data to optimize resource use, considering land, rivers, and forests, and also improve material efficiency by reducing waste and streamlining material delivery.He suggested that African cities need to collectively consider how to train AI to avoid perpetuating stereotypes, as training AI on online data could result in an "implicit bias" portraying Africa as poverty-stricken.Kiarie observed that while traditional architects have rich cultural knowledge, language and technical skills may separate them from modern architects. However, he added, AI can bridge this divide, facilitating direct inspiration for modern architects.
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artificial intelligence (ai), africa, sputnik africa, design, climate, climate change, development, industry, urbanization , culture, traditional values, traditions, technology
artificial intelligence (ai), africa, sputnik africa, design, climate, climate change, development, industry, urbanization , culture, traditional values, traditions, technology
How Can AI Transform African Architecture?
Ekaterina Shilova
Writer / Editor
Dirah AI, meaning "compass" in Swahili, uses artificial intelligence to analyze location-specific factors like climate, geography, and materials to provide environmentally friendly and sustainable design recommendations, such as enhancing natural ventilation in hot climates or incorporating rainwater harvesting in drought-prone areas.
Sustainable architecture, using locally sourced materials, enables African cities to express their unique identities,
Victor Kiarie, founder of Dirah AI, told
Sputnik Africa, observing that African cities "can tell their own stories by going back into the past."
Kiarie explained that architects often struggle to interpret climate data, so Dirah AI helps them analyze it, and use image generation to visualize how to preserve cultural identity in their designs.
He noted that African architecture, exemplified by the climate-responsive design of Maasai manyattas, demonstrates how to use local materials for passive heating and cooling, adding that Africans can also learn from its communal approach to create more walkable
cities.
According to Kiarie, buildings are often "greenwashed" by adding superficial features to non-sustainable designs.
"I think rapid urbanization is one of the major challenges African cities need to deal with," he stated.
The architect argued that the drive for profit pushes developers to prioritize cheap, fast building methods over sustainable design. To change this, he emphasized,
education is needed, starting with developers and architects, and then extending to the public.
Kiarie pointed out that the construction industry accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions. He explained that
AI can process extensive urban data to optimize resource use, considering land, rivers, and forests, and also improve material efficiency by reducing waste and streamlining material delivery.
He suggested that African cities need to collectively consider how to train AI to avoid perpetuating stereotypes, as training AI on online data could result in an "implicit bias" portraying Africa as poverty-stricken.
Kiarie observed that while traditional architects have rich cultural knowledge,
language and technical skills may separate them from modern architects. However, he added, AI can bridge this divide, facilitating direct inspiration for modern architects.
