Kestrel Labs

Kestrel Labs is an AI-powered building code compliance platform designed for architects and design teams working in BIM environments. It brings building-code checking directly into the design workflow, allowing teams to identify potential compliance issues while a project is still being developed rather than waiting for manual review or plan-check stages. Kestrel currently runs inside Revit, evaluating BIM geometry against jurisdiction-specific building requirements.

The platform uses AI to translate building codes into structured, machine-executable logic and apply those requirements to the project’s model. Its Compliance Analysis feature identifies issues and maps them to specific elements in the BIM model. Each flagged issue is accompanied by a cited code reference, helping architects understand not only what may be wrong but also which requirement triggered the finding. Kestrel describes its checks as AI-powered and deterministically verified.

Kestrel also includes Compliance Chat, which allows users to ask questions about flagged issues and receive project-specific explanations grounded in the relevant code section. Its cited findings show the affected element, the compliance issue, and the applicable code reference. A Project View provides a way to track compliance status across projects without opening the underlying model. The platform is intended to help teams catch problems earlier, reduce rework, and keep design and compliance information aligned throughout the project.

The tool is particularly relevant to architects, BIM specialists, architectural firms, design teams, and other AEC professionals who regularly work with building regulations. Kestrel supports jurisdiction-specific requirements and is expanding its coverage. The company has also established an official licensing relationship with the International Code Council and partnerships involving Autodesk and Trimble. Kestrel is positioned as a first-pass compliance system rather than a replacement for professional architectural judgment; the architect remains responsible for interpretation and final decisions.

Kestrel Labs was founded by Marian Pulford and architect Austin Pulford and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The company launched publicly at the 2026 AIA Conference on Architecture & Design after developing the platform through its early-access period and Techstars Boston accelerator. Its specialized focus on turning building regulations into computable data makes Kestrel particularly notable among AI tools for architecture, construction technology, BIM, and regulatory compliance.