AI, Automation, and AEC leaders - SKETS Studio Facilitated a Convene in New York, USA
Reimagining the AEC Workflow – How AI is Powering the Future of Design and Construction | SKETS Studio
SKETS Studio organized and facilitated an insightful session in New York to explore one of the biggest transformations shaping the AEC industry today — the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This intelligent technology is redefining how professionals think, plan, and work, empowering them to deliver smarter and more efficient outcomes.
SKETS CEO Ms. Nimisha Bansal and COO Mr. Shamit Gupta took the center stage and shared valuable insights on how AI is reshaping the AEC Industry—enabling designers to be more creative, effective, and productive. The audience, some of the prominent leaders of the AEC landscape, took keen interest in the discussion and the knowledge that was shared.
Let’s take a closer look at how this engaging session unfolded.
Ideation and Concept Development – Where Imagination Meets Intelligence
Nimisha, emphasizing upon the power of ideation at early stages, reminisced that earlier designers would do hand sketches or create miniature models to present their ideas. But now with AI tools, architects and designers can visualize what their ideas will be in a matter of seconds. Some of the AI tools that are currently being used during the concept phase include Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, Veras, ComfyUI, and LookX.AI.
She further added that “Ideation aided by AI is not just about speed but also about freeing imagination”. Today, designers can play around with materials, lighting, and shapes through computer tools while having a clear visualization of how their creations will look and feel.
However, she also underlined that despite AI making things quicker, humans must ensure that imagination and creativity remain at the heart of each project. She further added that, “The ideal design process arises from a balance — where the precision and speed of AI amplify, not replace, the imagination of the designer.”
Design Development and Documentation – Boosting Efficiency with Automation
The session also explored how AI helps in design development and documentation, which are very important parts of making any project successful.
Showcasing how SKETS Studio is already utilizing AI, Nimisha also explained how the technology is making teams more accurate and allowing them to work faster. By merging AI with Building Information Modeling (BIM), drawings, measurements, and other details that once took a lot of time to do manually are now being generated and verified automatically.
Adding to this, Shamit clarified that automation is not a replacement for humans; rather, it is designed to enhance their productivity, enabling quicker project turnaround times and allowing them to focus on the more crucial creative aspects of a project.
AI in Operations – Smarter Facilities Through Digital Twins
Another interesting part of the session was about how AI is used even after a building is completed, especially in operations and facility management.
During the session, Ms. Bansal explained how AI’s role goes far beyond design. A Digital Twin is a digital replica of an actual building, it can collect real-time data on various parameters such as temperature, energy usage, and occupancy. AI then studies this information and helps predict when something might go wrong before it becomes a big problem. Underscoring the topic, she added that, “With Digital Twins, SKETS can now monitor performance in real time.”
Digital Twins in BIM | Innovation in Action & Real-World Applications
The session also highlighted how SKETS Studio is using digital innovation to bring real-world contexts to life. The team has deployed an Intruder Detection System that monitors entry points, verifies identities against secure databases, and ensures the safety of the premises.
Apart from that, digital models are utilized in asset management so that the team can record and categorize key information, including the vendor’s details, model number, and warranty information, etc. This facilitates clients to track their assets more effectively, promoting transparency, security, and improved asset management.
The Future of AI in AEC
The duo concluded the session with a valuable message: AI will not replace humans; it will help design more efficient buildings. The conclusion sparked curiosity and engagement, with questions and enthusiasm pouring in from all sides.
The fourth revolution, i.e. AI, is rapidly transforming the AEC industry, and our clients are not untouched by it. In fact, they are excited and can clearly see its immense potential. SKETS, being a pioneer in BIM, is among the first few firms globally to step into this ‘blue ocean of Artificial Intelligence’ and emerge as a leader in groundbreaking technologies such as Digital Twin, which is reshaping the AEC landscape.
At SKETS Studio, we believe the future of the AEC industry will rely on humans and AI working together. From conceptualization to construction, and even through facility management, AI can make every stage more productive and efficient. As our leaders shared, the true strength of AI lies not in replacing human creativity, but in inspiring people to think deeper, innovate smarter, and build a better future for all.
