Swapp: The AI Co-Pilot for Construction Documentation
Back in 2019 when we all heard about Swapp, it was one of the first tools—if not the very first—talking about automating the construction-documentation phase of design for architects. Founded in Tel Aviv by Autodesk alum and architect Eitan Tsarfati with Adi Shavit, Swapp quickly drew attention for its promise to learn office standards and generate Revit-based construction documents in minutes, positioning it early in the “AI for CDs” space.
Since then, Swapp has evolved from a bold idea into a powerful co-pilot for production teams—seamlessly integrating with existing Revit/ACC workflows, accelerating both DD and CD deliverables, and reframing documentation as a high-fidelity, low-effort step rather than a time sink.
We recently sat down with Eitan to dig into that journey—how Swapp was inspired by the grind of manual documentation, how its firm-specific AI models automate views, annotations, and schedules, the integration with Autodesk Construction Cloud, the technical hurdles of messy BIM data, and what real-world results (like MOREgroup’s multi-team productivity gains) say about AI’s role in practice. Keep reading for the full interview.
1) Can you share the inspiration behind founding Swapp and how your previous experiences influenced its creation?
The inspiration behind Swapp really comes from my own journey. I’m an architect by profession, and like many architects, I often found myself spending an incredible amount of time on repetitive, manual tasks instead of focusing on the creative aspects of design. Those pain points were very personal to me. Later, when I served in an executive role at Autodesk, I was able to step back and see the broader industry from different angles—the challenges firms face at scale, the inefficiencies that keep repeating across projects, and the opportunities for technology to fundamentally change the way architects work.
"Swapp was born at the intersection of those two perspectives: the practitioner’s frustrations and the executive’s view of industry-wide potential."
2) How does Swapp's AI-driven platform specifically automate documentation and modeling tasks in architectural projects?
At Swapp, we automate the most time-consuming parts of architectural documentation by creating a bespoke AI model for each firm. That model essentially learns the firm’s unique standards and ways of working, and then becomes the engine behind how construction documents are produced. This means everything from updating models to generating annotated floor plans, sections, elevations, and schedules can be handled automatically. The result is a dramatic reduction in manual work, more consistent outputs, and much shorter project timelines.
3) What are the primary challenges in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry that Swapp aims to address?
The AEC industry is under immense pressure, from increasing project complexity to tighter timelines and growing customer expectations. Manual, repetitive processes still dominate much of the documentation phase, leading to inefficiencies, errors, and lost time. At the same time, firms are competing not only for projects but also for talent. The next generation of architects and designers expects to work with modern, intuitive tools, yet many firms are still relying on outdated workflows.
Our solution addresses these challenges head-on by automating documentation and modeling tasks with AI, helping firms speed up delivery, reduce errors, and modernize their operations.
"Swapp empowers teams to do more with less, giving them a competitive edge while also appealing to young professionals who expect innovation and digital fluency in their work environment."
4) Could you walk us through the process by which Swapp integrates with existing architectural workflows, from schematic design to construction documentation?
SWAPP integrates seamlessly into architectural workflows by connecting directly to the firm’s existing tools and standards, particularly via Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). The process begins with onboarding, where SWAPP’s algorithm learns the firm’s BIM standards and a dedicated account manager works with the customer to make sure that all project guidelines, and documentation preferences are covered.
Once a schematic design is uploaded, SWAPP’s proprietary algorithm transforms it into a detailed DD/CD set in Revit. SWAPP handles tasks such as automating sheet and view creation, organizing annotations, placing elements like furniture and fixtures, and ensuring compliance with office standards. Customers open issues and share files in ACC, and SWAPP runs dedicated AI algorithms to address the tasks—followed by expert QA. The result is a fast, flexible, and traceable loop that keeps documentation aligned with project milestones while significantly reducing manual effort.
5) What were some significant technical challenges your team faced while developing Swapp's AI capabilities, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was the complexity and variability of architectural data. Every firm has its own standards, every project type comes with unique requirements, and the information is often fragmented across models, drawings, and schedules. Training AI to reason within that level of nuance is not trivial. Another challenge was bridging accuracy with speed, architects can’t compromise on precision, but they also need results quickly enough to impact the design process.
We approached this by developing a system that doesn’t rely on a generic model, but instead builds a tailored AI layer for each firm. That allows the automation to reflect their standards while ensuring reliability. On the technical side, we invested heavily in quality control pipelines and close collaboration with practicing architects, so the AI isn’t just ‘smart’, it’s also trustworthy and aligned with real-world workflows.
“Precision first, speed second — and now we get both.”
6) In what ways does Swapp enhance collaboration among architects, engineers, and other stakeholders within a project?
SWAPP acts as a central source of truth, generating accurate documentation that’s accessible and editable in real time. By automating the most time-consuming tasks, we reduce bottlenecks and give architects more bandwidth to focus on coordination and decision-making. With built-in version control and consistency across deliverables, collaboration becomes smoother and more effective across disciplines.
7) How user-friendly is Swapp for professionals who may not have extensive technical backgrounds, and what feedback have you received from early adopters?
Ease of use has been a priority for us from day one and the learning curve is minimal. Most architects don’t want to become software engineers, they want tools that feel intuitive and work seamlessly in their existing workflows. That’s why Swapp was designed to sit inside the processes firms already use, such as Revit, ACC and BIM360, so the AI feels more like a co-pilot than a new system to learn.
The feedback from customers was excellent. Removing tedious steps without requiring extra training was key. Many say it feels like adding a super-powered team member who knows their standards and preferences.
8) Can you share specific success stories or case studies where Swapp has significantly improved project outcomes?
Certainly. A notable example is our collaboration with MOREgroup, a leading architecture and engineering firm specializing in education, healthcare, and civic projects across the United States. They faced challenges in managing design changes efficiently while maintaining project schedules and accuracy.
By integrating SWAPP’s AI-driven automation into their workflow, MOREgroup achieved a 5.5-fold increase in new square footage handled by AI year over year. This allowed 11 design teams to work in parallel, enhancing over 15 projects with AI assistance. As a result, their architects could focus more on innovative design and client solutions, significantly boosting productivity and project outcomes.
9) What potential do you see for AI-driven tools like Swapp to address current inefficiencies in the AEC industry?
The AEC industry is full of inefficiencies, whether it’s the countless hours spent on documentation, coordination issues that lead to costly rework, or the talent bottleneck where highly skilled architects are tied up doing low-value tasks. AI has the potential to completely change that equation.
What excites me most is not just the time savings, but the shift in how work is valued. If AI can take on the repetitive, manual layers of both modeling and documentation, architects and engineers are freed to focus on design quality, innovation, and client engagement.
"Ultimately, this shift means that architects and engineers will be able to charge based on the value of their work, rather than the number of hours they put in."
It also allows us to bring joy back into the profession by reducing burnout and letting professionals spend more time on the creative, meaningful parts of their craft.
10) Are there any upcoming features or improvements for Swapp that you're particularly excited about?
Yes, without getting into specifics, what excites me most is how we’re moving beyond individual tasks into more connected, end-to-end workflows. Early on, we focused on automating documentation steps like annotations and schedules. Now, we’re developing features that help the AI reason more like an architect - understanding context across drawings, and even anticipating downstream impacts.
11) Reflecting on your journey with Swapp, what have been the most rewarding aspects of developing this platform?
For me, the most rewarding part has been seeing the real impact on architects’ day-to-day lives. As an architect myself, I know the frustration of spending late nights on repetitive documentation instead of focusing on design.
"Hearing from firms that Swapp has given their teams back days and even weeks, of creative time is incredibly meaningful."
Another rewarding aspect is watching the industry’s mindset shift. At first, many were skeptical that AI could be trusted with something as precise as construction documents. Now, we see early adopters not only embracing it, but also reimagining how they practice. That change in perspective, seeing technology as a partner rather than a threat, has been very powerful.
Fig. 5) SWAPP was founded on the belief that architects should dedicate their time to the most creative and impactful aspects of their work, rather than being burdened by mundane tasks.
12) What advice would you offer to other professionals looking to integrate AI into traditional industries like architecture and construction?
My main advice is to start by deeply understanding the profession you want to transform. AI isn’t a magic layer you can drop on top of an industry, it has to be grounded in real workflows, pain points, and culture. In fields like architecture and construction, trust and precision matter as much as speed, so you can’t just build for efficiency. You have to build for reliability and adoption.
Second, collaborate with practitioners early and often.
"The best AI systems are not built in isolation, they’re shaped in partnership with the people who will actually use them. That’s how you ensure the technology feels like a co-pilot rather than a replacement."
13) How do you envision the role of AI evolving in the architecture and construction industries over the next five to ten years?
AI will become an embedded layer across the entire project lifecycle—from early concept through to facility management. We’ll see a shift from reactive to predictive design, where systems can suggest optimizations in real time. Design-to-build cycles will shrink dramatically, and firms that embrace AI will deliver faster and smarter.
14) How does Swapp address concerns about AI replacing jobs in the architecture industry, and what is your perspective on AI as a tool for augmentation versus replacement?
I see AI very clearly as a tool for augmentation, not replacement. Of course, some tasks will inevitably be replaced by automation, but that doesn’t mean people are being replaced. What it really means is that architects can reclaim their time and focus on the higher-value aspects of their work: creativity, problem-solving, and client engagement.
Yes, the profession will change, but change doesn’t have to equal loss. In fact, it’s an opportunity to elevate the role of the architect. AI won’t replace architects, but architects who embrace AI will definitely outpace those who don’t.
"Our goal at Swapp is to make sure that AI feels like a partner, helping reduce burnout and bring joy back into the profession"
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