Evolving the Physical World
From computational design to physical deployment, we help engineering teams automate workflows, embed intelligent systems, and build smarter at every phase of delivery.
Selected Work
A sample of systems built and shipped, from government-funded R&D to production software running on active job sites.
OSD Phase II SBIR: Generative AI for Construction Approvals
Led a program to transform how the Department of Defense reviews military construction designs. Developed an AI assistant embedded directly within BIM authoring tools that encodes UFC and IBC building codes as a queryable knowledge graph, enabling continuous compliance analysis as architects work rather than treating review as a post-design gate. The system applies graph neural networks and LLM reasoning to surface violations with specific code citations and explicit uncertainty acknowledgment, shifting issue discovery from the construction site upstream, where they cost the least to fix.
Publicly awarded contract ↗DARPA Phase II SBIR: Secure Facility Design & Accreditation
Served as principal investigator on a DARPA-funded program to automate the design, construction management, and accreditation of secure facilities. Led the team that developed a graph-based BIM analysis engine using domain-specific AI agents, an iOS augmented reality application for life-size design visualization and field verification, and a point cloud scanning system that reconstructs interior spaces in three dimensions with 0.25″ accuracy over 30′, precise enough to verify as-built construction against design intent.
Publicly awarded contract ↗Robotic Construction Platform
Built the software foundation for a robotic home construction platform, scaling from initial prototype to 200+ homes printed across multiple active sites. Designed the computational geometry engine that converts architectural models into structurally sound, thermally optimized print paths. Managed the development of real-time telemetry, site operations software, and computer vision systems for automated quality control and compliance documentation.
Design-to-Build Pipeline
Built a platform managing the full design-to-build pipeline, handling design conversion from BIM platforms, bill of materials generation, quantity takeoffs, and cost integrations. Gave project teams a live view of how design decisions affect procurement, cost, and construction planning.
Design Analysis & Automation
Built integrations between structural analysis models, Revit, and construction takeoff platforms enabling continuous monitoring and compliance analysis as design changes occur on large commercial projects. Developed LOD 400 automation plugins for BIM platforms and custom interoperability tooling that eliminated significant manual rework across engineering teams. Parametric automation reduced design iteration time by over 50% on large-scale commercial projects.
Offshore Structural Inspection
Trained a computer vision model to automatically grade external corrosion on offshore oil and gas structures from inspection photos, enabling automated damage assessment at a global engineering firm. Replaced a manual, inspector-dependent process with an automated approach to structural damage assessment.
Services
End-to-end consulting tailored to where you are and where you want to go.
Design & Plan Automation
Transform weeks of manual work into automated workflows, from computational geometry and parametric modeling through fabrication-ready outputs across engineering disciplines.
- AI-assisted design generation and geometric optimization
- Automated drawing production and documentation
- Design-to-fabrication data pipelines
- Parametric systems that adapt to project constraints
- Scale your output without scaling your team
Digital Twin & Simulation
Build a living digital replica that connects your model to schedules, quantities, and the systems that drive your project, from construction sites to industrial operations and infrastructure assets.
- Automated BOM generation and quantity takeoffs
- 4D scheduling and construction sequencing
- Integrations with ERP, procurement, and project controls
- Predictive simulation and scenario modeling
- Real-time synchronization across design and field
AI & Intelligent Systems
From product strategy to production deployment, embed machine intelligence into your workflows and build AI-powered tools your teams will actually use.
- Product strategy and roadmapping for AI-powered engineering initiatives
- Custom AI models trained on your domain data
- Computer vision for quality control and progress tracking
- Natural language interfaces for technical documentation
- Predictive analytics for scheduling and risk assessment
Robotics & Fabrication
Bridge the gap between digital design and physical production with software that drives automated construction.
- Robotic construction system integration
- Automated fabrication workflow development
- Machine control software and path planning
- Real-time feedback loops between site and model
- End-to-end digital-to-physical pipelines
Engineered to Deliver
Four stages. No surprises. Every engagement follows the same disciplined process from first audit to production handoff.
Discovery
Structured interviews, direct system access, and time with your team to map workflows, surface product needs, and understand your technical landscape. We go broad before we go deep, making sure the solution we design fits the real problem.
Analysis
We model the solution architecture and validate feasibility. Prototype integrations, data-flow diagrams, and a prioritized build list with effort and impact estimates for each workstream. You know exactly what you're getting before we write a line of production code.
Build
We ship working software. Iterative delivery with weekly checkpoints. No black-box development: you see every commit and can redirect at any checkpoint. From prototype to production-grade systems running in active deployments.
Verify
We measure against the baseline established in Discovery. Automated testing, integration validation, and a documented handoff so your team owns what we built, with the context to maintain and extend it.
Meet Tarek - Founder of TATAWUR
Tarek is uniquely positioned at the intersection of software, AI, and the built environment, with deep technical expertise and a proven track record of building novel products in uncharted territory.
At ICON, Tarek led product and engineering, building the software organization behind the platform that powered over 200 robotically-built homes, delivering computational geometry engines, design automation tools, and real-time operations software that scaled construction technology from prototype to production.
Before that, he worked as an engineer at Arup and Walter P Moore, building BIM automation tools that reduced design iteration time by over 50%. Combined with graduate degrees in AI, computer science, and structural engineering, this breadth is exactly what Tatawur AI brings to every engagement: the ability to see across the full project lifecycle and build solutions that actually work in the field.
Technical Expertise
Let's Find Out What's Possible
Every engagement starts with a conversation. Tell us about your project and we'll take it from there.
To make our first conversation count, share:
- What you're building and what's slowing you down
- Your timeline and goals
- Any specific technologies or workflows involved
- Your preferred way to connect (call, video, etc.)
You can also connect with me on LinkedIn:
Tarek El-Afifi's LinkedIn Profile