The person responsible is the architect Victor Kiarie. Created the DIRRAH AI device (compass in Suajili). Use artificial intelligence to analyze specific location factors and provide advice for sustainable and environmental design. For example, improve natural ventilation in warm climates or the collection of rainwater in arid areas. Here we will explain the relationship between AI and African cities.
Sustainable architecture is the one that uses materials of local origin. It allows African cities to express their unique identities, Kiarie stands out. He points out that African towns “can tell their own stories by backing to the past.”
He explains that architects often have difficulty interpreting climatic data. Dirah ai helps them analyze them and to use images to visualize how to preserve cultural identity in their designs.
Sustainable cities
African architecture is exemplified by the climate sensitive design of Manyattas (Traditional villages of the Masai people). It shows how to use local materials for passive heating and cooling, Kiarie emphasizes. He adds that Africans can also learn from their community approach to create more passable cities. In their words, buildings are often given a touch of “green” by adding superficial characteristics to unsustainable designs.
“I think that rapid urbanization is one of the biggest challenges that African cities must face,” he says. The architect argues that the search for profits push developers to prioritize cheap and rapid construction methods about sustainable design. To change this, education is needed, starting with developers and architects. Then it must extend to the public.
Kiarie emphasizes that the construction industry is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions. He explains that AI can process large amounts of urban data to optimize the use of resources. Take into account the land, rivers and forests. And also improves the efficiency of materials by reducing waste and accelerating the delivery of materials.
Training the AI
He believes that African cities need to collectively consider how to train AI to avoid perpetuating stereotypes. Doing it with online data can result in an “implicit bias” that portrays Africa as a poor country. Therefore, the relationship between AI and African cities must also be trained.
Kiarie points out that traditional architects have a rich cultural knowledge. But language and technical skills can differentiate them from modern architects. However, he adds that AI could fill this void, facilitating modern architects obtaining direct inspiration.
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