Algoma Automates Architectural Design to Advance Pre-Construction

Written by:

Steve Marcinuk

Date:

05 Aug 2025

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“The construction industry hasn’t seen meaningful productivity gains in decades, while costs and timelines continue to balloon,” notes Seyfihan Usarer, CEO of Algoma. “We’re changing that by bringing automation to pre-construction, reducing feasibility studies from weeks to just 48 hours.”

Born in Harvard’s Innovation Labs, Algoma is revolutionizing how buildings get designed and approved. The company’s AI-powered platform automates architectural design and engineering services, dramatically accelerating the traditionally slow and expensive pre-construction process.

From Concept to Reality

“Real estate developers face a critical challenge – they need to quickly evaluate potential sites, but traditional feasibility studies cost around $10,000 and take weeks,” explains Usarer. “Our subscription-based platform delivers comprehensive feasibility studies within 48 hours, including zoning analysis, concept designs, cost projections, and high-quality renderings.”

The founding team united around this vision while at Harvard, combining Usarer’s business acumen with co-founder Kyle’s expertise in mass timber architecture. “Mass timber construction was our entry point because it’s inherently modular and sustainable,” says Usarer. “The material’s standardized nature makes it perfect for design automation.”

Real Innovation, Real Impact

Algoma’s technology is already proving transformative. Their inaugural project – a four-story residential development in downtown Savannah – showcases how automation and sustainable materials can work together. “Traditional construction requires armies of workers pouring concrete on-site,” notes Usarer. “Our approach uses prefabricated components that can be assembled by small teams, like building with Legos.”

The company’s innovative approach has earned recognition through grants from both the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Georgia Forestry Foundation. These partnerships validate Algoma’s potential to address both housing shortages and sustainability challenges.

Target Market and Growth

While the platform can benefit any developer, Algoma focuses on small and medium-sized urban residential developers. “These firms typically lack the resources for comprehensive feasibility studies,” explains Usarer. “We give them the same capabilities as major developers at a fraction of the cost.”

The company recently strengthened its technical capabilities by appointing Michael Cayton, previously of WeWork and Juno, as head of technology. Following a successful seed funding round, Algoma is expanding its team and enhancing its automation platform.

“We’re at the intersection of proptech and climate tech,” says Usarer. “As the industry embraces technology and sustainability becomes paramount, we’re positioned to help developers build better, faster, and more sustainably.”

For real estate developers seeking to streamline pre-construction while embracing sustainable practices, Algoma’s platform represents the future of building design. By combining architectural automation with sustainable materials expertise, they’re not just changing how buildings get designed, they’re transforming how they get built.