BuildMate: Russian Student Creates an AI Tool That Replaces Cost Estimators and Interior Designers
A new Russian project aims to help future homeowners not only estimate construction costs in advance but also reduce spending on interior design services.
The creator of the BuildMate project is Artur Raush, a first-year master's student at Ufa State Petroleum Technological University (USPTU) and a member of the Youth Public Chamber under the State Assembly of the Republic of Bashkortostan. He developed an AI-powered calculator for estimating building-construction costs and presented the project at a strategic session focused on AI adoption in Bashkortostan.
Plans Your Dream Home and Estimates the Budget
Artur Raush's BuildMate smart construction calculator is built around artificial intelligence. According to the developer, the software can quickly generate a preliminary cost estimate for a dream home based on user-defined parameters, including floor area, number of stories, building height, construction materials, roof design, wall thickness, and other specifications. Once the analysis is complete, users receive a detailed report breaking down each cost category, while a virtual assistant provides practical recommendations on material selection and construction decisions. The platform's capabilities go beyond budgeting: BuildMate can also recommend furniture that matches a chosen interior style.
Using the service is straightforward. Users upload a photo, and the AI identifies the design style – from minimalism to loft or boho – before suggesting suitable furnishing options. The feature can reduce spending on professional design services, help homeowners create the interiors they envision, and accelerate product discovery. According to Raush, future plans include integrating a registry of local suppliers and manufacturers from Bashkortostan into the platform. That would make the digital tool not only more useful for customers but also beneficial to the region's economy.
The Database Keeps Growing
The project was developed with support from the Foundation for Assistance to Innovations (Fond Sodeystviya Innovatsiyam) through the Student Startup program, which Raush won in 2024. The funding was used to build a working version of the website. Today, the platform's database is continuously expanding, with Russian building-material manufacturers being added and new features introduced. Raush is developing the project together with Yegor Savin, a student at Ufa University of Science and Technology (UUST), and Arsen Gazimov, a student at School 21+. Their goal is to improve calculation accuracy, add new intelligent capabilities, and launch additional digital services for the construction sector.
The AI calculator is primarily designed for residential construction projects from the earliest planning stages, although some of its functionality can also be used for renovation estimates. The advantages are clear: the software provides customers with a data-driven assessment of required material volumes, helping them understand future construction costs; it offers guidance on pricing, enables comparisons among different design options, and supports the selection of the most cost-effective solution. The calculator's algorithms were developed using the experience of professional builders and established construction standards.
AI as a Growth Engine for Construction
For Russians dreaming of building a home but unsure where to begin, the BuildMate materials calculator can provide a preliminary budget complete with a structured breakdown of expenses. The platform may also benefit the regional economy by serving as a tool for supporting and promoting local building-material manufacturers.
The project is a clear example of how artificial intelligence is becoming a practical business tool capable of influencing project profitability and outcomes. The software is expected to find applications across construction, particularly in private homebuilding, renovation projects, contracting businesses, building-material supply chains, and online marketplaces. Over time, its functionality could expand further, turning the AI assistant into a comprehensive advisor for design and renovation projects.
