Blueprints AI says its second-generation software can generate permit-ready blueprints in minutes

TechCrunch AI reported that the idea dates back nearly two decades, when Drams wrote a final college thesis about software that could generate design documents for school buildings. Drams studied architecture, following his parents and grandfather, but technology was what intrigued him. The technology his idea required did not exist at the time. After OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022, he launched the concept of Blueprints AI within six months.

Drams earned bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from the University of Tehran and completed two years of Ph.D. coursework on digital design at the European Graduate School in Switzerland. He moved to the United States and opened Drams Architects in 2018. After obtaining a general contractor's license, he added a construction business in 2021. He said he could build new projects that change people's lives, but it would not be a big impact. Technology excited him because of the impact, hours saved and energy saved for people doing the same thing repeatedly.

Blueprints AI's first-generation software produces architectural construction documents and costs between $3,200 and $8,500 a month, depending on the plan. Custom pricing for enterprises is also available. Drams and Cao trained their models using eight years of approved drawing sets from Drams' design and construction firm, which is still in business.

The second-generation software will deliver a considerable upgrade. Customers can start with a description or sketch of a project and create blueprints for every aspect of a building at once, including architecture, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and interior design. Version 2 allows users to design and make changes to the project, an upgrade over the first iteration. One design change updates the entire project and is checked against local building codes. Early customers are already using the second version, and Drams said it will become publicly available this week. The startup is already working on a third version that will add structural analysis and electrical panel design.

The technology does not replace licensed architects, according to the co-founders. Licensed professionals still review the documents and affix their seal before submitting them for permits, and the judgment stays human, they said. Drams said architects spend about 80% of their time on drafting and only 20% on design. He wants to flip that to 20-80. Cao, a data scientist from Hong Kong, handles sales and go-to-market strategy as chief commercial officer. The pair met at an AI conference several years ago and combined their skills to build the company.

Blueprints AI is targeting two groups with its new software. Professional architecture, engineering and design firms make up one group, while developers and real estate owners make up another. The startup offers its software as a subscription and may add a one-time flat-fee option for those who want it for a single project.

At Disrupt, Blueprints AI will be among hundreds of startups and will appear alongside speakers including RJ Scaringe of Rivian and Amjad Masad of Replit. Disrupt begins Tuesday in downtown San Francisco.

Editor's Summary Blueprints AI is bringing a second-generation AI tool to TechCrunch Disrupt that it says can create code-compliant, permit-ready construction blueprints from a sketch or description in minutes. The startup, founded by an architect and a data scientist, trained its models on eight years of approved drawing sets and says licensed professionals still review and seal documents. Its public launch comes as it targets architecture firms, developers and real estate owners with subscription pricing.