What is ArkDesign AI?
ArkDesign AI is an AI-powered architectural design platform that automates schematic design — generating optimized floor plans, building layouts, and unit configurations from project requirements. Founded in 2021, ArkDesign focuses on the transition from "what should we build?" (massing and site planning, handled by tools like Autodesk Forma) to "how should the building be organized internally?" — the floor plan, unit layout, core placement, and circulation that determine a building's functionality and value. The platform uses generative AI and constraint-solving algorithms to explore thousands of floor plan arrangements, evaluating each against criteria including: gross-to-net efficiency (ratio of sellable/rentable area to total area), code compliance (egress distances, accessibility requirements, fire safety), unit mix optimization (maximizing the number of high-value units within zoning constraints), daylight access to individual units, and spatial quality metrics (room proportions, natural light penetration, views). As of 2026, ArkDesign is used by architects, developers, and real estate teams primarily for multi-family residential, office, and hotel projects where floor plan efficiency directly impacts project financials.
ArkDesign's workflow: the user inputs the site boundary, zoning envelope (from Forma or manual entry), project program (number of units, unit mix targets, amenity requirements, parking), and design constraints (preferred unit types, minimum room dimensions, daylight requirements). The AI generates multiple floor plan options — typically 10-50 variants — each with floor-by-floor layouts showing unit configurations, corridors, stairs, elevators, and amenity spaces. Each option includes metrics: total units, unit mix breakdown, gross floor area, net sellable area, efficiency ratio, average unit size, and estimated construction cost. The architect or developer reviews the options, selects promising directions, and refines the constraints — adjusting the desired unit mix, prioritizing efficiency over spaciousness (or vice versa), or testing different core configurations. The AI regenerates options based on the refined parameters. This rapid option generation and analysis transforms schematic design from a manual process of drawing and evaluating a few floor plan options to an automated exploration of the design space, surfacing efficient configurations that human designers might not consider due to time constraints or cognitive bias toward familiar layouts.
Key Features
AI Floor Plan Generation
ArkDesign's core capability is generating complete building floor plans — not just unit layouts, but the full floor organization including corridors, cores (stairs, elevators, mechanical shafts), unit arrangements, and amenity spaces. The AI considers: building code requirements (minimum corridor widths, maximum egress travel distances, fire stair placement, accessibility path requirements), structural logic (column grids that align across floors, reasonable span distances), unit adjacency preferences (quiet bedrooms away from elevator noise, kitchens near service risers), daylight optimization (more units with windows on multiple exposures, deep floor plates with light wells where needed), and efficiency (minimizing "dead" circulation space as a percentage of total floor area). The output is a complete floor plan drawing showing walls, doors, windows, room labels, and dimensions — at a level of detail suitable for schematic design and feasibility analysis. This is fundamentally different from architectural visualization AI (like Veras, which renders appearance) or massing AI (like Forma, which organizes building volumes) — ArkDesign works at the level of individual rooms and apartments, making decisions about spatial organization that directly impact a building's functionality, marketability, and construction cost. Architects should treat ArkDesign's output as a sophisticated starting point — the AI generates a feasible, efficient floor plan, and the architect refines it for architectural quality, spatial experience, and detailed code compliance that the AI may not capture.
Unit Mix & Financial Optimization
ArkDesign optimizes floor plans not just for spatial efficiency but for financial performance. The user defines unit types (studio, 1-bed, 2-bed, 3-bed, penthouse) with target sizes, expected revenue per unit (sale price or monthly rent), and desired mix percentages. ArkDesign's optimization engine explores floor plan configurations that maximize total project value — fitting the highest-revenue unit mix possible within the zoning envelope while maintaining livable unit layouts and code compliance. For developers, this bridges the gap between financial pro forma (which defines how many units of each type are needed to hit return targets) and architectural design (which determines whether those units can actually fit on the site with acceptable quality). Instead of the traditional back-and-forth — developer requests more units, architect tests and responds days later, developer adjusts request — ArkDesign enables a real-time negotiation: adjust the unit mix target and immediately see the architectural implications. Metrics displayed for each option: total unit count, unit mix achieved vs. target, gross-to-net efficiency, estimated construction cost per square foot, and projected total project value. For developers working on site acquisition, ArkDesign answers the critical pre-purchase question: "What can we actually build on this site, and what is it worth?" — compressing weeks of architectural feasibility study into hours of AI-powered exploration.
Code Compliance Checking
ArkDesign includes an automated code compliance checking system that evaluates each generated floor plan against relevant building codes. Checked parameters include: corridor widths and dead-end corridor lengths (IBC/NFPA requirements), egress travel distances (maximum distance from any point in a unit to an exit stair), exit stair quantity and separation (two means of egress where required, stair separation distance), accessibility requirements (accessible unit percentages, turning radiuses at key points, accessible route continuity), natural light and ventilation requirements (minimum window area as percentage of floor area, cross-ventilation where code-required), and fire ratings and separation (shaft enclosures, occupancy separations). The compliance check is not a substitute for formal code review by a licensed architect — it provides a preliminary check that flags likely violations so the architect can address them early. This is particularly valuable during schematic design when floor plans are still fluid: catching an egress violation in an AI-generated plan early prevents it from propagating into design development. The code check uses the International Building Code (IBC) as its default reference, with options for local amendments and jurisdiction-specific requirements. For international projects, ArkDesign supports a growing library of international building codes. The compliance report is generated alongside each floor plan option, highlighting violations by severity (critical, warning, advisory) with references to the specific code section.
Iterative Refinement & Option Comparison
ArkDesign enables rapid design iteration through a feedback loop: generate options, evaluate, refine constraints, regenerate. A typical schematic design session: input initial program and constraints, generate 20-30 floor plan options. Review the top options by efficiency and value. Identify patterns — "options with a double-loaded corridor consistently achieve higher efficiency," "this core placement creates awkward unit shapes on the south wing." Refine: constrain the core to a specific location, adjust the desired unit mix toward larger units on upper floors, add a constraint that all living rooms face south. Regenerate 15 options with the new constraints. Compare before-and-after: did the efficiency improve? Did the unit mix get closer to the target? Continue iterating until the floor plan converges on a solution that balances efficiency, value, and architectural quality. ArkDesign's option comparison view allows side-by-side comparison of up to 4 options with all metrics displayed. The architect can "favorite" promising options, annotate them with notes, and share them with the project team for review. The platform tracks the design evolution — which constraints were changed, when, and by whom — providing a record of design decisions for project documentation. The iteration capability is what separates ArkDesign from one-shot generative tools: schematic design is inherently iterative, and ArkDesign supports that process rather than expecting a single generation to produce the final answer.
Export to BIM & Documentation
Once a preferred floor plan option is selected, ArkDesign can export the design to standard architectural formats for further development. Export options include: DXF/DWG (2D floor plan drawings for AutoCAD or any CAD platform), IFC (BIM format for import into Revit, ArchiCAD, or other BIM software), PDF reports (floor plans with dimensions, unit schedules, and compliance reports), and Excel schedules (unit mix, area breakdowns, and metrics for financial analysis). The Revit export through IFC imports the floor plan geometry — walls, doors, windows, rooms — as Revit elements that can be further developed in the BIM environment. The export is not a fully intelligent BIM model (wall types, door schedules, and material specifications need to be added by the architect), but it provides the spatial framework that jumpstarts the BIM development process. For architects, this means the schematic design phase produces a digital model that flows directly into design development rather than requiring manual reconstruction of the floor plan in Revit from PDF markups. ArkDesign also supports integration with Autodesk Forma through file exchange — the Forma massing model provides the building envelope, and ArkDesign generates the internal floor plan organization within that envelope. This Forma-to-ArkDesign workflow covers the full early-stage design process: site analysis and massing in Forma, floor plan generation in ArkDesign, detailed BIM development in Revit.
Multi-Family & Hotel Specializations
ArkDesign has developed specialized modules for the two building types where floor plan efficiency most directly impacts financial performance: multi-family residential and hotels. For multi-family: the AI optimizes unit mix (maximizing premium units while meeting inclusionary zoning requirements for affordable units where applicable), unit layout quality (daylight access, room proportions, storage, outdoor space), amenity placement (fitness centers, lounges, rooftops positioned for maximum value and accessibility), and parking integration (podium parking levels with efficient structural grids that align with residential floors above). For hotels: the AI optimizes room count (maximum keys within the building envelope), room type mix (standard kings, double queens, suites in desired proportions), back-of-house efficiency (housekeeping, laundry, kitchen, loading — often underrepresented in early design), guest circulation (minimizing corridor length per room while maintaining privacy and acoustic separation), and ground floor programming (lobby, restaurant, meeting rooms, retail in optimal adjacencies). Each module includes building-type-specific metrics: for multi-family — average unit size, rentable/sellable area per floor, parking ratio; for hotels — keys per floor, revenue per available room (RevPAR) projections, back-of-house as percentage of total area. Office and mixed-use modules are in earlier stages of development as of 2026. The specialized modules are built on the same floor plan generation engine but include domain-specific constraints, templates, and optimization criteria that generic architectural AI tools lack.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Bridges financial feasibility and architectural design in real time: The ability to adjust unit mix targets and immediately see architectural implications transforms the developer-architect relationship from sequential to collaborative. Both parties can explore trade-offs together rather than through multi-day document exchanges.
- Generates complete floor plans, not just massing or concept images: ArkDesign produces dimensioned floor plans with walls, doors, rooms, and code checks at a schematic design level of detail — operational output that an architect can take into design development, not just inspiration that requires complete reconstruction.
- Code compliance checking catches issues at the schematic stage: Identifying egress, accessibility, and fire safety issues in AI-generated options early prevents these problems from propagating into later design phases where changes are more costly.
- Rapid iteration supports genuine design exploration: The ability to generate, evaluate, refine constraints, and regenerate in minutes enables architects to explore the design space thoroughly rather than settling for the first workable solution.
- Specialized modules for multi-family and hotel provide domain-specific intelligence: Generic AI tools treat all buildings the same. ArkDesign's specialization means the AI understands that hotel corridors have different requirements than apartment corridors, and that unit mix optimization is relevant for residential but not for office.
Cons
- Output is schematic-level — requires significant architect development: ArkDesign's floor plans are feasible and code-compliant at a schematic level, but they are not construction-ready. Architects must develop the design — refining unit layouts, specifying wall types and materials, detailing structural coordination, and adding MEP systems. ArkDesign accelerates schematic design but does not replace design development.
- Limited to specific building types: As of 2026, ArkDesign's mature modules are multi-family residential and hotels. Office, mixed-use, and other building types have more limited support. For projects outside these core typologies, the platform's value is reduced.
- Enterprise pricing — not accessible to small firms: ArkDesign is sold through enterprise contracts with custom pricing. Small architecture firms and independent architects may find the cost prohibitive relative to the volume of relevant projects. No self-service or individual pricing tier is currently available.
- AI-generated plans can lack spatial nuance and architectural character: ArkDesign optimizes for efficiency and compliance, which can produce floor plans that are functionally correct but spatially uninspired — long double-loaded corridors, repetitive unit layouts, mechanical core placements that solve the engineering problem but ignore the architectural experience. The architect's role is to bring spatial quality, character, and delight to the AI's efficient but potentially sterile starting point.
- Requires accurate input data for meaningful output: Garbage in, garbage out applies strongly. If zoning, program, or constraints are inaccurate or incomplete, ArkDesign's output will be optimized for the wrong problem. Architects must invest time in setting up the problem correctly — defining constraints, preferences, and evaluation criteria — for the AI to produce useful results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ArkDesign replacing architects for schematic design?
No. ArkDesign is a tool that accelerates the schematic design process — it generates floor plan options based on constraints that the architect defines. The architect remains responsible for: defining the problem (project goals, constraints, priorities), evaluating AI-generated options (identifying which options have architectural merit beyond the metrics), refining and developing the design (taking a schematic plan to design development), and integrating non-quantifiable factors (spatial experience, materiality, context, cultural appropriateness) that AI cannot assess. ArkDesign replaces the most mechanical part of schematic design — the labor of drawing and dimensioning multiple floor plan options — but the intellectual work of design judgment, spatial quality, and architectural vision remains firmly with the architect. The best analogy: CAD did not replace architects; it replaced drafting boards. ArkDesign does not replace architects; it replaces the manual drawing of multiple schematic options. Architects who use ArkDesign report that it frees them to spend more time on design quality and less time on repetitive drawing, and enables them to explore more options than time would otherwise permit.
How does ArkDesign compare to Maket for floor plan generation?
ArkDesign and Maket both generate floor plans but for different markets and scales. ArkDesign focuses on mid-to-large scale multi-family and hotel projects — buildings with dozens to hundreds of units, complex core and circulation requirements, and financial optimization criteria. It is designed for architects and developers working on projects where floor plan efficiency directly impacts project returns. Maket focuses on smaller-scale residential — single-family homes, townhouses, and small multi-family buildings — and emphasizes instant generation from simple inputs (site dimensions, room count, style preferences). Maket is more accessible (lower cost, simpler interface) and targets the custom home and small developer market. ArkDesign is more powerful for complex projects but has a higher barrier to entry (enterprise pricing, more setup required). For an architect working on a 200-unit apartment building, ArkDesign's unit mix optimization and code compliance checking provide value that Maket's simpler approach cannot match. For a designer working on a custom single-family home, Maket's accessibility and speed are advantages. The tools serve different segments of the residential design market.
How Architects Use ArkDesign: Schematic Design Workflow
Set Up the Project Parameters
Begin by inputting the project requirements into ArkDesign: site boundary (from survey data, GIS, or the Forma massing model), zoning envelope (height limits, setbacks, FAR maximum), program targets (total units, unit mix percentages, average unit sizes, amenity square footage, parking requirements), and design preferences (preferred unit types, minimum room dimensions, daylight requirements, circulation preferences). The quality of ArkDesign output depends directly on the quality and completeness of these inputs. Invest 1-2 hours in accurately defining the project parameters before generating floor plans. Key considerations: be realistic about unit sizes. If the target average unit size is 750 sq ft but zoning and building efficiency only support 680 sq ft, ArkDesign will either under-deliver on units or produce unrealistically small rooms. Run a quick feasibility check first: does the FAR allow the desired program? If not, adjust targets before generating options. ArkDesign's initial feasibility check estimates whether the program can fit within the zoning envelope based on typical efficiency ratios for the building type. Use this to calibrate expectations before committing to detailed option generation.
Generate, Evaluate, and Shortlist Options
Generate an initial batch of 20-30 floor plan options. ArkDesign ranks them by the metrics most relevant to the project (total unit value, efficiency ratio, code compliance). Review the top 5-8 options in detail. Look beyond the metrics: does the floor plan feel livable? Are the unit layouts attractive to the target market? Does the circulation make intuitive sense? Are there awkward spaces (overly long corridors, irregularly shaped rooms, units with poor daylight)? ArkDesign optimizes for measurable criteria but cannot assess spatial quality. The architect must apply architectural judgment to identify which options have merit beyond the numbers. Shortlist 2-4 options that balance efficiency with architectural quality. For each shortlisted option, note: what works well (efficient core placement, good unit daylight, logical circulation), what needs improvement (awkward unit shapes, excessive corridor length, inadequate amenity adjacencies), and what questions need resolution (is this corridor width sufficient for the expected foot traffic? Does this unit layout meet local market expectations?). These observations become the refinement criteria for the next iteration.
Refine Constraints and Finalize Schematic Design
Based on the shortlist evaluation, refine the constraints for the next generation: constrain the core to the position that worked best across options, add adjacency requirements (amenity spaces adjacent to the lobby, quiet bedrooms away from elevators), adjust unit mix based on which configurations produced the most attractive layouts, and add specific design rules discovered during review (minimum kitchen width, preferred window-to-wall ratios). Generate a refined batch of 10-15 options with the new constraints. The second generation should converge toward a more resolved solution. Select the preferred option and export to CAD/BIM for design development. The exported floor plan includes walls, doors, windows, rooms, and dimensions at a schematic level. In the BIM environment, the architect develops: wall types and construction assemblies, structural coordination (column sizes, beam depths, lateral system), MEP coordination (risers, shafts, ceiling plenums), detailed unit layouts (kitchen and bathroom fixtures, millwork, furniture layouts), and material specifications. ArkDesign has completed the schematic design phase; the architect now takes the design into design development with the confidence that the spatial organization, unit mix, and code compliance have been optimized by the AI exploration. The time saved in schematic design (typically 40-60% reduction compared to manual floor plan iteration) is reinvested in design development quality.
What is ArkDesign pricing and who is it for?
ArkDesign uses enterprise pricing with custom annual contracts based on the number of users, expected project volume, and required modules (multi-family, hotel, office). As of mid-2026, ArkDesign does not publish list pricing or offer a self-service individual tier. The platform is designed for: mid-to-large architecture firms with significant residential or hotel project pipelines, real estate developers conducting in-house feasibility studies, and design-build firms that control both design and construction. The target customer is an organization that conducts multiple schematic design studies per year and can justify the enterprise investment through time savings and improved project outcomes. For smaller firms or individual architects with occasional schematic design needs, ArkDesign may not be cost-effective. Interested firms should contact ArkDesign sales for a demonstration and custom quote. The platform does not currently offer a free trial or self-service evaluation period. Some architects gain exposure to ArkDesign through developer clients who use the platform for feasibility studies and share the output with their architectural teams.
What file formats does ArkDesign export to and how well does it integrate with BIM?
ArkDesign exports to DXF/DWG (2D CAD drawings for AutoCAD or any CAD platform), IFC (BIM format for import into Revit, ArchiCAD, or other BIM software), PDF (dimensioned floor plans with schedules for review and presentation), and Excel (unit mix schedules, area breakdowns, and metrics for financial analysis). The IFC export imports floor plan geometry as BIM elements that architects can further develop. The Revit workflow through IFC provides walls, doors, windows, and rooms as Revit elements at a schematic level of detail. The architect then develops wall types, structural coordination, MEP integration, and interior detailing in the Revit environment. This IFC workflow is functional but not as seamless as a native Revit plugin would be. ArkDesign has indicated native Revit export is on the development roadmap but has not announced a release date. For firms using ArchiCAD, the IFC import is similarly functional. For firms using Vectorworks, DXF import is the primary path. The BIM integration gap between ArkDesign generation and full BIM development is the most significant workflow friction point, and addressing it through native BIM plugin development would substantially increase the platform's adoption among architecture firms deeply committed to BIM workflows.