What is Maket?
Maket is an AI-powered floor plan generator focused on residential design — single-family homes, townhouses, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and small multi-family buildings (duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes). Founded in 2022 in Montreal, Canada, Maket's mission is to make architectural design more accessible: homeowners planning renovations, real estate developers evaluating site potential, and architects seeking rapid concept exploration can all use Maket to generate dimensioned floor plans from simple inputs — room requirements, site dimensions, and style preferences — in seconds rather than hours or days. Maket is the most accessible AI floor plan tool on the market, with a web-based interface (no software installation required), transparent pricing, and a self-service signup. As of 2026, Maket serves over 10,000 users ranging from homeowners and contractors to architects and developers.
Maket uses generative AI (specifically, transformer models trained on a dataset of residential floor plans) combined with constraint-solving algorithms to produce floor plans that are both functional and buildable. The AI generates the floor plan layout — room positions, wall locations, door and window placements — based on the input requirements. Constraint-solving ensures the output respects building fundamentals: minimum room dimensions, circulation paths, structural logic (stacking walls across floors), and basic building code compliance. The result is a dimensioned floor plan that represents a viable starting point for design development — not a construction-ready set of drawings, but a schematic layout that captures the design intent and can be refined by an architect or designer. Maket is particularly popular for: early-stage feasibility studies (can I fit a 3-bedroom house on this lot?), renovation planning (how could this existing house be reconfigured?), ADU design (what size accessory dwelling fits in this backyard?), and design inspiration (exploring multiple floor plan layouts before committing to a direction). For architects, Maket serves as a rapid ideation and client communication tool; for non-architects, it provides a starting point for conversations with design professionals.
Key Features
Instant Floor Plan Generation
Maket generates complete floor plans from three types of inputs: room requirements (list the rooms you need — e.g., "3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, laundry, garage" with desired sizes), site constraints (lot dimensions, setbacks, building envelope, existing structures to work around), and style preferences (architectural style — modern, traditional, farmhouse, craftsman — and layout preferences — open concept, defined rooms, split bedroom layout). The AI processes these inputs and generates a floor plan within 10-30 seconds, complete with room labels, dimensions, door swings, and window placements. Multiple plan variations are generated simultaneously — typically 3-6 options per request — allowing users to compare different layouts and choose the most promising direction. Each plan includes: a dimensioned floor plan (walls, doors, windows, room labels, overall dimensions), total square footage, room-by-room area breakdown, and a basic 3D extrusion view (volumetric massing showing the building form). The floor plans are two-dimensional (plan view) at a schematic level of detail. They show spatial organization — where rooms are, how they connect, approximate sizes — but not construction details (wall assemblies, structural elements, MEP systems). For architects and designers, Maket's plans serve as a starting point for design development in BIM or CAD. For homeowners and developers, the plans provide a clear visualization of what can be built on a given site with a given program. The plans include basic code considerations (minimum room dimensions, egress paths) but are not a substitute for code review by a licensed professional.
Site-Aware Design & Constraints
Maket's floor plan generation is site-aware — it considers the specific parcel constraints when generating layouts. Users can input: lot dimensions and orientation (which direction the lot faces, which side is the street frontage), building envelope (setbacks from property lines, height limits, maximum lot coverage), existing structures (for additions and renovations — the AI generates additions that connect to the existing building at logical points), topography (basic slope data — the AI can generate split-level or walkout basement designs for sloped lots), and views and solar orientation (prioritize living areas facing south, orient the plan to capture views). The site-awareness feature transforms Maket from a generic floor plan generator to a site-specific design tool. A floor plan generated for a narrow urban lot (25-foot width, zero-lot-line setbacks) will be fundamentally different from a plan generated for a wide suburban lot (80-foot width, generous setbacks). The AI understands urban vs. suburban vs. rural site conditions and generates contextually appropriate layouts. For renovation projects, the existing-conditions input is particularly valuable: input the existing floor plan (either by drawing it in Maket's simple editor or uploading a sketch), specify which rooms to keep, and the AI generates addition and reconfiguration options that work with the existing structure. This helps architects and homeowners explore renovation possibilities quickly without manually redrawing the existing conditions in CAD for each option.
Style-Based Generation & Visual References
Maket's style preferences go beyond superficial labels — they influence the floor plan's spatial organization, not just the exterior appearance. A "modern" style preference produces plans with open-concept living areas, large windows, clean lines, and a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. A "traditional" style preference produces plans with more defined rooms, formal entry sequences, separate dining rooms, and distinct public/private zones. A "farmhouse" preference generates plans with large kitchens as the central gathering space, covered porches, mudrooms, and practical storage. These style preferences guide the AI's spatial decision-making — room adjacency, circulation patterns, window placement logic, and indoor-outdoor relationships. Maket also generates reference images for each plan style to help users visualize the architectural character, though the generated images are AI-created concept visualizations, not photorealistic renders of the specific design. The style system makes Maket accessible to non-architects who may not know how to specify spatial preferences in architectural terms — instead of "I want an open-plan layout with strong visual connections between kitchen, dining, and living areas," they can select "modern, open concept" and get plans that embody those spatial principles. For architects, the style preferences serve as rapid mood-board generation — exploring how different architectural languages translate to spatial organization for a given program and site.
Export & Professional Integration
Maket exports floor plans in formats suitable for professional design development: DXF (for import into AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, or any CAD platform — the most common export path for architects), PDF (dimensioned floor plans for client review, contractor discussion, or permit application preliminary packages), PNG/JPG (for presentations, social media, or quick sharing), and CSV (room schedule with dimensions and areas for cost estimation and material takeoffs). The DXF export provides vector linework — walls, doors, windows, dimensions — that architects can import into their CAD/BIM environment and develop further. The exported file is 2D only; there is no 3D BIM model export. Architects typically import the Maket DXF into Revit or AutoCAD, trace or convert the linework into BIM elements, and develop the design from the schematic layout. This manual translation step is the trade-off for Maket's accessibility — the tool generates a visual floor plan, not an intelligent BIM model. For firms using Maket regularly, some develop scripted workflows that semi-automate the DXF-to-Revit conversion. For non-architect users, the PDF export provides a dimensioned plan that they can take to an architect, designer, or contractor as a clear starting point for discussions. Maket also offers a share feature: generate a link that allows collaborators to view the floor plan in a web viewer without creating a Maket account. This is useful for sharing options with clients, family members, or project stakeholders for feedback.
Cost Estimation & Material Takeoffs
Maket includes a basic cost estimation feature that calculates approximate construction costs based on the generated floor plan. The estimate uses: total square footage, building typology (single-family, townhouse, ADU), construction quality level (economy, standard, premium, luxury), and regional cost data (cost per square foot by region and quality level — Maket maintains databases for major US, Canadian, and select international markets). The cost estimate includes line items: site work, foundation, framing, exterior finishes, roofing, interior finishes, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, and contingencies. Total construction cost and cost per square foot are displayed. This estimate is suitable for early-stage budgeting and feasibility — it provides a realistic order-of-magnitude cost for the generated design. It is not a substitute for contractor bids or detailed quantity-surveyor estimates. The material takeoff feature generates approximate quantities: concrete volume (cubic yards for foundation and slab), lumber (board feet for framing), drywall (square feet), roofing (squares), windows and doors (count and sizes), and flooring (square feet). These quantities help with preliminary material ordering and cost verification. The estimates are based on typical construction methods for the building type and region — if the actual construction will use non-standard methods (SIP panels, ICF, structural steel), the estimates will be less accurate. Maket explicitly labels estimates as "preliminary" and recommends professional cost verification before proceeding with construction.
Accessibility & Democratization of Design
Maket's most significant innovation may be its accessibility. At $29/month for the Starter plan (with an annual option), Maket is priced for individual homeowners, not just architecture firms. The web-based interface requires no software installation, no CAD skills, and no architectural knowledge beyond knowing what rooms you want. This democratization of floor plan generation has both positive and cautionary implications. Positive: homeowners planning renovations can explore options before engaging an architect, leading to more focused and productive professional consultations. Real estate agents can quickly generate floor plan concepts to help buyers visualize a property's potential. Small developers can conduct preliminary feasibility studies without architectural fees for every site evaluation. Contractors can generate starting-point plans for design-build projects. The tool lowers the barrier to spatial exploration. Cautionary: AI-generated floor plans are schematic starting points, not construction documents. A plan that looks good on screen may have structural, code compliance, or constructability issues that only a licensed professional can identify. Maket's terms of service explicitly state that generated plans require professional review before construction. The platform includes educational content about when to engage an architect and what level of design development is needed for permitting and construction. For architects, Maket's accessibility is an opportunity: clients arrive with a clearer vision of what they want, and the architect's value shifts from "help me figure out what I want" to "help me make this vision buildable, beautiful, and within budget." The tool does not replace the architect — it changes where the architect enters the process and what value they provide.
Maket Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $29/month ($19/month annual) | 20 floor plan generations per month, basic room customization, DXF and PDF export, standard style presets, basic cost estimation. Good for homeowners and occasional use. |
| Professional | $59/month ($39/month annual) | 100 generations per month, advanced site constraints (topography, existing structures, views), full style library, detailed cost estimation with material takeoffs, priority rendering, multi-story plans. Best for architects, designers, and developers. |
| Team | $99/month ($69/month annual) | Unlimited generations, team collaboration (shared projects, comments, plan libraries), custom style training (train Maket on your firm's plan style), API access, SSO, dedicated support. For architecture firms and design-build companies. |
Pricing verified June 2026. Annual plans save approximately 35%. All plans include commercial use rights — plans generated with Maket can be used in professional projects. Maket offers a 7-day free trial with 5 free generations. The Starter plan is accessible for homeowners; professional use typically requires the Professional plan for the higher generation limit and site constraint features.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Most accessible AI floor plan tool — low cost, no software, instant results: At $19/month (annual) with a web interface and 10-30 second generation times, Maket removes the barriers that keep non-architects from exploring floor plan options. This democratization is genuinely valuable for homeowners, small developers, and contractors.
- Site-aware generation produces contextually appropriate plans: The ability to input lot dimensions, setbacks, existing structures, and orientation means Maket generates plans specific to your site, not generic template plans that ignore real-world constraints.
- Style preferences influence spatial organization, not just appearance: The style system goes deeper than cosmetic labels — it affects room relationships, circulation patterns, and indoor-outdoor connections in ways that reflect real architectural traditions.
- Clear, usable exports for professional workflows: DXF export with dimensions enables architects to import Maket plans directly into their CAD/BIM environment and develop them further — faster than starting from a blank screen or a napkin sketch.
- Transparent, affordable pricing with self-service signup: Unlike enterprise-only architectural AI tools, Maket is available to anyone with a credit card. This openness is a refreshing contrast to the opaque "contact sales" model of most competitors.
Cons
- Output is schematic — not construction-ready: Maket's floor plans are starting points, not finished designs. They require professional development for structural engineering, code compliance verification, MEP coordination, detailed material specifications, and permitting. Homeowners who treat Maket plans as "ready to build" risk significant problems.
- Limited to residential — no commercial, office, or institutional capabilities: Maket is purpose-built for residential design. Architects working on non-residential projects need different tools (ArkDesign for multi-family/hotel, Finch 3D for optimization, Forma for massing). For firms with diverse project types, Maket addresses only a subset of their work.
- Plan quality varies — requires human judgment to select good options: Not every AI-generated plan is a good plan. Maket generates multiple options per request, and the user must evaluate them — some will be awkward, inefficient, or uninspired. The AI does not know which plan is "best" for your specific needs, values, and lifestyle. Applying human judgment to the AI output is essential.
- No direct BIM export (Revit, ArchiCAD): The DXF export provides vector geometry that can be imported into BIM software, but the import is not intelligent — walls are lines, not BIM wall objects with types, materials, and metadata. This manual conversion step adds time for architects who use Maket in a BIM workflow. A native Revit export (generating actual Revit wall, door, window, and room elements) would be a significant improvement.
- 2D only — no 3D model generation: Maket generates 2D floor plans with a basic 3D extrusion view for massing. For clients who need to visualize the design in 3D, architects must model the plan in a 3D tool or use a separate AI visualization tool like Veras. Full 3D model generation (walls, roofs, openings) from the floor plan would increase the tool's standalone value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Maket plans to get a building permit?
Maket plans are schematic — they show spatial organization and approximate dimensions but do not include the level of detail required for building permit submission. Permit-ready drawings typically require: structural engineering (foundation plans, framing plans, structural calculations), code compliance documentation (energy code compliance, accessibility compliance where applicable, life safety), MEP design (electrical plans, plumbing risers, mechanical layouts), detailed dimensions and annotations, site plans showing setbacks and grading, and professional stamps from licensed architects and/or engineers (required in most jurisdictions for new construction and major renovations). Maket can serve as the starting point that an architect or designer develops into permit-ready drawings, saving the time and cost of early-stage schematic exploration. Many architects offer a service where clients bring Maket-generated concepts, and the architect develops them into permit and construction documents. This is often more efficient (and less expensive) than the architect starting from a blank screen, because the client has already explored options and arrived at a clear direction. For simple projects in jurisdictions with relaxed permitting requirements (some rural areas, some ADU programs), a dimensioned Maket plan plus a structural engineer's review may be sufficient — but verify with your local building department before assuming this. Never submit AI-generated plans for permitting without professional review and development.
How does Maket compare to hiring an architect for schematic design?
Maket and an architect are complementary, not competing. Maket generates floor plan options from room requirements and site constraints in seconds — an architect does the same through a design process that includes client consultation, site analysis, programming, and iterative design over days or weeks. What Maket cannot do: understand your lifestyle, values, and how you will actually live in the space. A good architect asks questions that reveal needs you did not know you had: "You mentioned you love cooking — would a kitchen that opens to the garden change how you entertain?" Maket cannot ask these questions or design for the answer. An architect designs for your specific life, not for a generic set of requirements. What Maket also cannot do: navigate the regulatory, structural, and construction complexity that follows schematic design. An architect manages the entire process from concept through construction — coordinating engineers, navigating permitting, selecting materials, managing contractors. Maket addresses one small (but important) part of the architectural process: initial spatial exploration. The most effective use of Maket for clients who will eventually hire an architect: use Maket to explore options and clarify what you want before engaging the architect. Arrive at the first architect meeting with Maket-generated concepts that show your thinking. This makes the architect's schematic design phase faster and more focused because the exploration has already begun. For architects, Maket is a rapid ideation tool — generate 20 plan options for a client in 10 minutes, identify 3 promising directions, and develop those into presentation-quality designs. The tool accelerates, but does not replace, the architect's schematic design process.
Does Maket support multi-story plans?
Yes, on the Professional and Team plans. Multi-story generation allows users to generate floor plans for 2-3 story homes, with the AI considering: stair placement (stairs must align vertically across floors — one of the most common errors in amateur floor plan design), structural wall stacking (load-bearing walls should align vertically where possible), plumbing stack alignment (bathrooms and kitchens stacked vertically to minimize plumbing complexity and cost), and vertical circulation logic (stair positioned for convenient access from entry and living areas). The AI generates all floors simultaneously to ensure vertical coordination. Users specify which rooms go on which floors (e.g., "living, kitchen, dining, powder room on first floor; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, laundry on second floor") or let the AI decide the optimal vertical distribution based on typical residential conventions. Multi-story plans display each floor level with dimensions, room labels, and area breakdowns, plus a stacked diagram showing how floors relate vertically. The multi-story feature covers typical residential configurations — basement (unfinished or finished), main floor, upper floor. It does not support commercial multi-story or complex vertical programs (mixed-use, podium-and-tower). For architects designing multi-story single-family homes or townhouses, the multi-story feature significantly increases Maket's usefulness — single-story-only generation is too limiting for most residential projects.
How to Use Maket: From Idea to Architect-Ready Concept
Define Your Needs Clearly
Before opening Maket, clarify what you need. Write down: the rooms you need with approximate sizes (master bedroom ~200 sq ft, secondary bedrooms ~120 sq ft each, open kitchen/dining/living ~500 sq ft), how you live (do you entertain often and need flow between kitchen and outdoor space? Do you work from home and need a dedicated office with acoustic separation? Do you have mobility needs that require single-level living?), your site constraints (lot dimensions, setbacks, orientation, views, any existing structures to work around), and your budget (construction cost per square foot in your area — research this before generating plans so you can evaluate which options are financially realistic). This preparation takes 30-60 minutes and dramatically improves the quality of Maket-generated plans. The more specific your inputs, the more tailored the output. Vague inputs produce generic plans; specific inputs produce plans that start to reflect your actual needs. For renovation projects, take measurements and photos of the existing space — Maket accepts uploaded sketches and photos as reference for the existing conditions input.
Generate Multiple Options and Compare Objectively
Generate at least 10-15 plan options (Maket produces 3-6 per request, so run 3-4 requests with slightly different inputs). Do not fall in love with the first plan that looks good. Compare options systematically: which plan has the best flow between kitchen, dining, and living areas? Which plan places bedrooms where they will be quietest? Which plan captures the best views from the rooms where you spend the most time? Which plan has the most efficient circulation (least wasted hallway space)? Which plan feels most spacious despite similar square footage? Use Maket comparison features to view plans side by side. Make notes on each: what works, what does not, what questions you have. After reviewing, you will likely find that certain features recur across the best options — a particular kitchen-living relationship, a bedroom arrangement, an entry sequence. These recurring features become your preferences for the next iteration or for discussion with an architect.
Take Your Best Concepts to a Professional
Select 2-3 preferred plan concepts and export them as dimensioned PDFs. Take these to an architect, residential designer, or design-build contractor. The professional does not start from scratch — they start from your explored preferences, which makes the consultation more productive. They will ask questions Maket cannot: "Have you considered how the afternoon sun will affect this west-facing living room in summer?" "This kitchen layout looks spacious but the work triangle between sink, stove, and refrigerator is inefficient." "The structural span over this open living area will require a steel beam that adds cost — would you consider a slightly different configuration?" These professional insights build on the Maket-generated foundation rather than replacing it. The architect develops the chosen concept into a buildable design with structural engineering, code compliance, MEP coordination, material specifications, and construction detailing. Maket's role is complete: it accelerated the concept exploration phase from weeks of back-and-forth sketches to hours of AI generation and review. The project now proceeds through normal architectural development, permitting, and construction phases with the benefit of a well-explored schematic starting point.