How AI Is Powering a New Era for Kenyan Architects

Kenyan construction experts are being urged to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the speed, intelligence, and efficiency of planning and building processes.

At the 2025 BORAQS Conference, the focus was on how AI is transforming the way architects, engineers, and other professionals work in the built environment sector.

Speaking on behalf of Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir, Evans Mutari said AI is becoming an important part of daily work for many professionals.

“If you’re not using these tools, you are wasting an opportunity to achieve much more than you are currently doing,” he remarked, referring to popular AI platforms such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini, which are already integrated into the work routines of many professionals globally.

Chirchir highlighted that artificial intelligence presents a fantastic chance to drastically reduce costs, boost efficiency, and spark creativity in design, all while aiding data-driven planning for infrastructure projects.

Principal Secretary for Public Works, Joel Arumonyang, shared this perspective, emphasizing that AI could play a crucial role in transforming how Kenya approaches urban planning.

He called on the built environment community to shift away from reactive practices and instead harness AI’s predictive capabilities.

“We must shift to proactive development. AI gives us the power to analyse trends, map growth, and make smarter infrastructure decisions,” PS Arumonyang noted.

AI in the Architect’s Toolkit

BORAQS Chairperson, Architect Silvester Muli, provided a practical example of AI’s creative applications in architectural design. He explained how tools like MidJourney are now helping architects quickly visualise ideas at the very beginning of a project.

“It is not about replacing creativity but about enhancing it,” Muli said. “It helps us begin the thinking process quickly and explore new design possibilities we might not have considered before.”

By entering prompts describing building types, materials, and stylistic choices, architects can generate visual concepts in minutes—saving valuable time during the initial design phase.

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Architect George Ndege, President of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), welcomed the AI revolution but cautioned against overlooking ethics. He emphasised that professionals must take collective responsibility for how the technology is deployed.

“AI is here to stay, and we must own that space as professionals. But we must also ensure ethical standards and accountability are upheld,” he stated.

Ndege advocated for the integration of AI education in university programmes and the development of governance frameworks that would preserve the role of human judgment in design and project oversight.

Live Show

Conference attendees were treated to live demonstrations of AI-powered tools already being used by Kenyan engineers and architects.

Structural engineers showcased how AI-integrated platforms such as Prota and Prokon are streamlining their workflow by automating load analysis, structural simulations, and design optimisation.

“What used to take days now takes hours. We’re able to deliver accurate, safe, and efficient designs in record time, which helps keep projects on schedule and within budget,” said one of the engineers at the event.

In the field of construction monitoring, spatial AI technologies such as OpenSpace and Matterport were presented. These tools use helmet-mounted 3D cameras to capture real-time data on building sites, allowing for virtual inspections, progress tracking, and early problem detection—all without setting foot on site.

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