Massive file sizes 'runaway train' for architecture, HP panel warns

During the 2026 UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona, HP organized a discussion titled "Closing the distance between an idea and a building." Experts highlighted that the increasing size of digital files is leading to delays and mistakes in architectural projects. Jim Nottingham, HP's senior vice president, remarked that loading models can take up to two hours, labeling waiting as "the enemy" that contributes to design drift. Nadeem Mir, head of technology at Foster + Partners, referred to file expansion as a "runaway train," complicating collaboration, particularly for smaller firms. Daniel Martinez from HP estimated that inefficiencies account for 15% of construction costs due to reworks, predicting AI could reduce this to 1%. The panel explored AI's ability to streamline mundane tasks and speed up approvals, with Martinez sharing that HP is testing an AI tool for evaluating development plan approval likelihood. Mir warned against pursuing "AI for the sake of AI," emphasizing the importance of recognizing its limitations.