Greg Corke caught up with Andreas Bjune Kjølseth, CEO of Infraspace, to explore how the civil engineering software startup is looking to transform early-stage design using generative design and AI
In the world of infrastructure design, traditional processes have long been plagued by inefficiencies and fragmentation. That’s the view of engineer turned software developer Andreas Bjune Kjølseth, CEO of Norwegian startup Infraspace. “Going from an idea to actually having a decision basis can be a quite tedious process,” he explains.
Four years ago, Kjølseth left his career in civil engineering consulting and founded Infraspace, to develop a brand new generative design tool for civil infrastructure alignments – road, rail or power networks. In his years as an engineer and BIM manager Kjølseth was left frustrated by the limitations of traditional processes. Civil engineers commonly must navigate multiple software tools, explains Kjølseth – sketching in one platform, generating 3D models in another, using GIS for analysis on land take and environmental impact, and then manually assembling, comparing and presenting alternatives.
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Infraspace aims to unify this fragmented workflow within a single, cloudbased platform. The software is primarily designed to tackle the initial phases of linear civil infrastructure projects, using an outcome-based approach, as Kjølseth explains. “Users can define where they want the generative AI engine to explore alternatives and define the outcomes, such as, ‘I want options with the least possible construction costs, shortest travel time or length, and the least land take in certain areas.’ Then the algorithm will quickly explore opportunities to make better solutions.”
The Infraspace cloud platform generates thousands of alternatives within minutes, enabling engineers to explore options they might not have considered if done manually.
Design options are displayed via an intuitive web-based interface, featuring a 3D model alongside an analytics dashboard with key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost, route length, land take, and cut-and-fill volumes.
The system can also be used to assess the environmental impact of proposed designs, including carbon footprint, viewshed, noise, and which buildings or areas might be affected.
Based on this information engineers can quickly compare and evaluate multiple design alternatives, then use the software to refine designs further. As the software is cloud based, this makes it easier for multiple stakeholders to understand the consequences quicker, explains Kjølseth
“The typical project manager often has limited access to advanced CAD, BIM or analysis software. With Infraspace they can quickly log into their projects in their browser and see the 3D models together with the analytics instantly,” he says. “It’s also possible to invite external stakeholders into the project to explore a selected number of alternatives.”
Project seeds
To start a project, users can pull in data from various sources, such as Mapbox or Google, or upload custom digital terrain models, bedrock surface models, or GIS data.
The design can then be kickstarted in several ways. An engineer could simply define the start and end point of an alignment, then let the software work out the best alternatives based on set goals. Alternatively, an engineer can define geometric constraints—such as sketching a corridor or marking environmentally protected areas as off-limits.
Users can define where they want the generative AI engine to explore alternatives and define the outcomes, such as, ‘I want options with the least possible construction costs, shortest travel time or length, and the least land take in certain areas’ – Andreas Bjune Kjølseth, CEO, Infraspace
The system is not limited to blank slate designs. It can also import alignments from traditional infrastructure design tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D and use them as a basis for optimisation. As Kjølseth explains, some engineers are even just using the platform for its analytical capabilities, to get fast feedback on traditionally crafted designs. The software offers import / export for a range of formats including LandXML, IFC, OBJ, BCF, glTF, DXF and others.
Adaptability across geographies
Infraspace is not hard coded for specific national design standards, but as Kjølseth explains, the platform captures the fundamental mechanisms of infrastructure design. It allows engineers to define geometric constraints, set curve radii, specify vertical alignment parameters, and adapt to different project types including roads, railways, and power transmission lines. It can handle projects with varying levels of design freedom, from short access roads to expansive highway corridors.
Designed by engineers, for engineers
For civil engineers seeking to streamline their design process, reduce environmental impact, and explore more design options, faster, Infraspace offers an interesting alternative to traditional fragmented workflows. Most importantly, with a team combining civil engineering expertise and software development skills, it’s clear the company understands the nuances of infrastructure design.
While Infraspace is currently focused on early-stage design and optimisation, its ambitions extend beyond. “We will continue to add more features as we go,” says Kjølseth. “I see that generative design as a concept and the platform we have, can definitely be applied to many use cases — during the latter stages of a project, and to even more complex problems.”
Main image: The generative AI engine can deliver thousands of design options in minutes
