AI speeds up 3D interior design as London firm cuts costs to GBP £1

London entrepreneur Ashish Chawla is utilising artificial intelligence to reduce the time and cost associated with 3D interior design in the UK while expanding his company's international reach.

Ashish Chawla, founder of Duke of Design, has implemented AI technologies to transform traditional 3D modelling and rendering methods used in luxury interior design projects. According to the company, its AI tools have reduced processing times from three days to just three minutes and lowered unit costs from hundreds of pounds to less than GBP £1 per visual.

AI in interior design

3D digital rendering, which produces highly detailed visual representations of design concepts, has historically required significant time investment when using standard software. Chawla has launched one of the first UK-based firms to develop and offer proprietary AI-powered software, branded as Foogly AI, capable of both rendering and lighting design, reportedly cutting production times dramatically without sacrificing quality.

Chawla began developing these in-house tools after undertaking the government-funded Help to Grow: Management Course at Birkbeck Business School. He explained, "We developed our AI rendering software in-house after the Help to Grow: Management Course gave me the confidence and frameworks to embrace the potential of new technologies in driving my business forward."

"When I looked into the opportunities available, I could see that while interior design companies in countries like the US and China were using AI rendering tools, no one in the UK had fully developed this capability. Many businesses explore and discuss AI, but few deliver tangible results. We invested in building the technology which is more suited for professional firms and design style in the UK."

International contracts

The adoption of this technology has enabled Duke of Design to secure international contracts, including a project involving a 300-room hotel in the Middle East. For this undertaking, the initial design work had to be completed in less than one month, a timeline that would be unattainable using conventional drafting and visualisation methods.

Representing the client, Jadara, a spokesperson said, "We had a project under construction, which needed to be redesigned urgently. We spoke with reputed designers in multiple countries and they all needed 3-5 months for design and rendering. When Ashish showed us that he could do the same in four weeks at a fraction of the cost, we of course hired him. This project has shown exactly what can be achieved when AI is harnessed to tackle the seemingly impossible in a very short period of time."

Business development

Chawla has attributed part of his company's evolution to insights gained from the Help to Grow: Management Course, which focuses on supporting UK SME leaders with training, mentorship, and peer collaboration.

He said, "After the Covid pandemic, the interior design sector had taken a hit and I was on the lookout for a mentor who had been through previous recessions and successfully weathered them, to give me support and guidance."

"I found the Help to Grow: Management Course and it offered the expert support I was looking for - with access to one-to-one mentoring - and so much more. It allowed me to step back and see my business from the top down, which was crucial for identifying new opportunities. What was also so powerful was the fact that we weren't just learning theory, we were interrogating real life examples and implementing changes in our businesses immediately."

Following his completion of the course, Chawla has expanded Duke of Design's business into overseas markets, working on contracts ranging from luxury hotels to government partnerships. The company has also announced a forthcoming acquisition of a stake in a North London architecture firm.

Education and support

Flora Hamilton, Executive Director at the Small Business Charter, commented on Chawla's achievements and the broader mission of the Help to Grow: Management Course. She said, "Ashish's story demonstrates the transformative power of combining strategic business education with mentorship and peer learning. His journey to becoming a true innovator in his sector shows how the right support at the right time can unlock extraordinary potential."

"Through our network of experts at business schools, we're helping SME leaders from a huge variety of different sectors build the strategic mindset needed for lasting success. We're proud to support business leaders like Ash innovate and thrive on an international scale."

The Help to Grow: Management Course is a government-supported, 12-week programme that includes online and in-person sessions, 10 hours of mentoring, and networking opportunities, and is designed to enhance productivity and leadership standards among SME businesses.