Structural engineering isn’t always known for speed, but Genia Design is working to change that. Based in Toronto, this forward-thinking startup is using AI to help engineers create smart, code-compliant structural designs in a fraction of the time it used to take.
At the center of their work is Structural CoPilot, an AI structural design assistant that does a lot of the heavy lifting. Instead of spending days or even weeks on manual calculations, engineers can upload drawings and let the platform generate thousands of layout options. It checks each one against building codes, compares performance and cost, and then delivers the best results for engineers to review.
Watch Structural CoPilot in action.
Genia was co-founded by Zhihao Zhao, a former Amazon engineer with a background in AI and machine learning, and Robin Li, a certified structural engineer who previously worked at Arup designing steel, concrete, and timber buildings. Robin experienced firsthand how slow and repetitive the design process could be, while Zhihao brought the technical vision needed to automate and streamline it. Together, they built a tool that blends structural know-how with cutting-edge AI, helping engineers save time without compromising accuracy.
In one technical case study, they walk through a single-family home project in Medina, Washington, starting with a CAD file and working through material choices and lateral design. In another case study, they compare their results to a well-known SEAOC seismic example and show that their AI-generated design came within five percent of the traditional calculation. That kind of transparency helps engineers trust the system and understand exactly how it’s working.
Genia Design also puts a big focus on usability. A recent update to their calculation sheet format makes it easier for teams to review AI-generated results and verify their accuracy. Everything is designed to be clear and engineer-friendly.
The platform supports code compliance for both Canada (NBCC) and the US (IBC), includes finite element analysis, and helps teams optimize material use and reduce errors. It also supports bid-day preparation with faster delivery and improved reliability.
Timelines are getting tighter, budgets are getting leaner, and teams are being asked to do more with less. With Genia, structural design is completed with AI ten times faster saving time while delivering top-tier outcomes.
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