How Architects Won $750K+ in Fees with AI

Summary:

A residential design firm revolutionized their design process by adopting an AI-driven site feasibility platform. By transitioning from a manual, parking-first approach to an automated, building-first workflow, the firm streamlined feasibility studies, reduced hours of repetitive work, and secured over $750,000+ in project fees while gaining a competitive edge in multi-family housing design.

Client: 

RBA Architects is a residential design firm in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Problem Statement: 

RBA Architects faced inefficiencies in early-stage site planning due to a traditional “parking-first” approach. This method required extensive manual calculations for parking layouts, setbacks, and zoning compliance, delaying design iterations and client feedback. 

The labor-intensive process limited their ability to explore creative, client-centric building designs quickly, risking lost opportunities in competitive bids.

Results: 

• $750K+ in fees won through faster, data-driven proposals.
• 7 x Design Iterations.
• 10 x Faster in Site Planning.
• Shifted to a building-first design approach, enhancing creativity and client satisfaction.
• Competitive differentiation in multi-family housing markets with real-time site optimization.

AI Solution Overview:

TestFit’s AI-powered platform enabled RBA to:

1. Automate zoning and parking calculations in real time, reducing manual errors.
2. Prioritize building massing and unit layouts upfront, with parking and site logistics adjusted dynamically.
3. Generate multiple design scenarios in minutes, empowering clients to visualize options early.
4. Integrate parametric design tools to balance density, unit mix, and profitability metrics.

References: 

1. How RBA Architects Won $750K+ in Fees with TestFit. https://www.testfit.io/customer-stories/rba-architects

Industry: Architecture & Residential Design

Vendor: TestFit

Client: RBA Architects

Publication Date: 2023