Abstract
In this paper, we would like to share our ongoing research on global population and demographic shifts and the corresponding need for diverse responses. As population growth varies worldwide, the pressing issue is the current global housing shortage. The USA alone lacks 4 million homes, underlining the urgency for new construction and renewal of existing. Our focus is primarily on new building processes, which must also incorporate elements of renewal for future sustainability. Our research addresses several key questions: How will roles for construction professionals change? What should be the primary goal of the design process? What types of technologies are currently available, and which aspects of the process can be enhanced with AI? A significant part of our study is exploring sustainable building methods that reduce embodied carbon and increase speed of construction. Our goal is to extend the transition from smart homes to cities, analyzing the evolution towards smart communities and cities. A critical aspect of our research is the 'kit of parts concept, involving prefabrication and modular construction. This approach is essential for both rebuilding and new projects, potentially lowering costs in manufacturing and design for long term. Lastly, we present a detailed comparison of the construction industry with manufacturing.