Pioneering the use of AI to reduce carbon emissions from existing housing stock
Chief executive, Planarific. Part 1: 2011, Part 2: 2014
‘I needed something different and more adventurous,’ says Ran Xiao, of his move from mainstream architecture to AI technology entrepreneur.
Xiao moved to the UK from China to train in architecture after initially studying electrical engineering. Following several years at Hawkins\Brown as a Part 2 architectural assistant, he completed a PhD on machine learning applications in architecture at the University of Cambridge before focusing on the responsible use of AI in design.
His start-up, Planarific, which now employs four staff, is using AI to reduce carbon emissions as part of retrofits of large housing estates. The project arose out of his participation in Innovate UK’s Net Zero Heat Innovation Lab, a five-day residential competition, for which he formed partnerships with local authorities, charities and academics. His team won, securing £6 million in funding including £630,000 for Planarific.
The competition was pivotal in bringing together his architectural and technology capabilities. ‘I found a problem I can solve, and I have the ability to look at things both from an engineer’s point of view through machine learning and maths, and also as an architect,’ he says.
Planarific is working with local authorities to accelerate the surveying of properties using drone technology, then using machine learning to categorise housing types and apply pre-tailored design solutions as part of carbon-reducing retrofits. This approach helps identify where offsite manufacturing can be used effectively. Pilot projects for several thousand homes are in the pipeline, with a long-term aim to support the retrofit of up to 300,000 dwellings annually.
The initiative made a strong impression on the Rising Stars judges. ‘Ran’s entrepreneurial work could revolutionise housing retrofit and make a significant impact on people’s lives,’ said judge James Purkiss, who is retrofit manager at Cambridge City Council.
Ran, who still works as an architect on private residential projects, is also interested in using AI to develop a product with manufacturers for the neglected market of small-scale home improvements.
What piece of architecture or placemaking do you most admire?
One of my favourite pieces of architecture is the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art outside Copenhagen. I admire the way it effortlessly connected a diverse set of spaces with the local landscape and views, and created an unassuming and welcoming space to experience a fantastic art collection. It is a masterclass in using a limited palette of simple materials – bricks, glass, clay tiles, solid timber – throughout the interconnected spaces of varying scale.