AI is Taking Over Architecture—But Is the Industry Still Living in the Stone Age?

Zeyka.ai is on a mission to help 5 million architects and interior designers globally, build big design studios in less time, by bringing AI to the world's least digitized industry. (Source - Zeyka.ai)

We love our hand-drafted sheets, our painfully slow workflows, and our nights spent obsessing over designs while clients drop last-minute changes like confetti. And despite living in an age dominated by AI, BIM, and digital transformation, the architecture and construction industry remains one of the least digitized sectors globally. In fact, McKinsey’s 2023 report found that construction ranks second-to-last in tech adoption, just barely ahead of agriculture.

But, Yug Aggarwal, CEO & Co-Founder of Zeyka.AI, is here to call BS on all of that. And after sitting down with him, I’m convinced—he’s right.

Meet the Architect-Turned-Disruptor

Yug Aggarwal isn’t just another architect-turned-entrepreneur. He’s someone who’s lived through the chaos of real-world design projects and decided enough was enough. Having worked with Studio Lotus and Innovation India, he saw firsthand how broken the system was—how architects were expected to work miracles with outdated tools, insane deadlines, and clients who expected perfection in no time.

And then came his lightbulb moment. A conversation with his finance-savvy sibling sparked the idea of a “video game” where people could design their homes online. But instead of making a SimCity-style app for homeowners, Yug went deeper. What if architects could have a tool that automated the annoying, repetitive parts of design—generating BOQs, visualizing materials in real-time, and cutting down design time by half? That’s how Zeyka.AI was born.

The Industry Doesn’t Want to Change – But It Has No Choice

Here’s the brutal truth: Architects hate new technology. Even something as “old” as BIM (which has been around for over 20 years!) still gets side-eyed by senior architects who swear by AutoCAD like it’s gospel.

But then something massive happened—ChatGPT.

Overnight, AI stopped being a futuristic buzzword and became something architects could actually use. Suddenly, the same professionals who laughed at AI-generated designs were secretly using Midjourney, DALL·E, and ChatGPT for rapid concept explorations.

The big firms get it. They see AI as a competitive advantage that helps them slash project costs and accelerate timelines. The smaller firms? They’re still debating whether AI is “worth it.”

According to Yug, they don’t have a choice.

"AI isn’t replacing architects—it’s replacing architects who don’t know how to use AI."

Zeyka.AI: What’s the Big Deal?

So, what exactly does Zeyka do?

• Cuts Design Time by 50% – If a design took 15 days, it now takes 8. Why? Because Zeyka auto-generates BOQs, integrates real-world materials, and provides high-quality visualizations instantly.

• Real-World Materials, Not Just Pretty Pictures – Unlike generic rendering tools, Zeyka actually works with real materials from real vendors, meaning your design isn’t just conceptual—it’s ready for execution.

• Works for the People Who Actually Pay for Software – The big players, the large-scale interior firms, and commercial designers who care about efficiency and cost.

The Tough Love Advice for Young Architects and Entrepreneurs

I asked Yug what advice he’d give to anyone trying to start their own design-tech business. And let’s just say, he didn’t sugarcoat it:

• Find a Tech Co-Founder – If you think you can build a tech company without a solid developer on board, think again. “AI-generated code won’t save you.”

• Don’t Expect Funding Without Traction – Indian VCs won’t invest in an “idea.” You need a working product and paying customers before you see a dime.

• Master Sales & Marketing – If you can’t sell your product, your service, or even yourself, you’re doomed. Architects aren’t taught sales, but it’s the one skill that can make or break a business.

• It’s a 10-Year Game – Forget about overnight success. If you’re not ready to dedicate a decade to this, don’t even start.

Final Thoughts: Get On Board or Get Left Behind

The bottom line? AI isn’t optional anymore. The architecture industry will change. The only question is: will you change with it?

If you want to know more about Zeyka.AI, hit up Yug Aggarwal on LinkedIn, check out their website, and maybe, just maybe, start thinking about how you can use AI to make your own architectural practice future-proof.

The dinosaurs are going extinct. Don’t be one of them.