Voice to Text for Architects
Architecture is about translating vision into built reality, but the documentation between concept and construction can consume your day. Blurt lets you capture project specifications, document design rationale, and respond to RFIs while your mind stays focused on the design. Hold a button, explain your thinking out loud, release. Text appears wherever your cursor is — in Revit schedules, email responses, project management tools, anywhere. Your ideas get documented at the speed you think them.
The Typing Problem
Project specifications take hours to write out
You know exactly what materials, finishes, and details this project needs. You've been living with these decisions for months. But translating that knowledge into formal specification documents means hours at the keyboard, describing every door hardware set, every glazing type, every HVAC requirement. Your hands hurt and you're only on Division 08.
RFI responses pile up during construction administration
The contractor just sent another batch of RFIs. Some are quick clarifications, others need thoughtful explanations of design intent. Each response requires careful wording — you're creating a legal record. But typing out detailed responses while managing the rest of CA takes time you don't have. The pile grows, and general contractors start calling.
Client presentation notes disappear before you write them
You just walked the client through three scheme options. They loved the second massing but wanted the material palette from the third. They mentioned their CEO prefers warmer tones. Their facilities director raised concerns about maintenance access. By the time you get back to the office and open your notes app, half these details have faded.
Design rationale never makes it into the documentation
You chose that curtain wall system because of its thermal performance, its mullion depth that matches the historic context, and its compatibility with the structural grid. But the drawings just show the system — no one will know why. When questions arise later, you'll have to reconstruct your reasoning. If you could document intent as easily as you draw, everything would be clearer.
Meeting notes and site observations take forever to formalize
You just spent two hours on site, walking the construction with the superintendent. You noticed the flashing detail at the parapet needs attention, the millwork is running behind, and there's a discrepancy in the column locations. You could explain all of this in three minutes of talking. Instead, you'll spend forty-five minutes typing a formal observation report tonight.
How It Works
Blurt works in every application architects use — Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Outlook, Procore, Newforma. Anywhere you can place a cursor.
Hold your hotkey
Press your chosen shortcut. A small indicator shows Blurt is listening.
Describe naturally
Explain the specification, narrate your site observation, or respond to the RFI. Blurt handles punctuation and formatting.
Release and done
Text appears at your cursor. Edit as needed, then move on. No copying, no pasting, no extra steps.
Real Scenarios
Writing project specifications section by section
You're working through Division 09 finishes. Click into your specification template, hold your hotkey, and describe: 'Section 09 65 00 Resilient Flooring. Provide luxury vinyl tile in all corridors and common areas. Product shall be 5mm minimum thickness with 20 mil wear layer. Pattern to match basis of design Mannington Amtico Abstract. Install per manufacturer requirements with welded seams at all wet areas.' Three paragraphs drafted in thirty seconds. Move to the next section.
Responding to contractor RFIs during CA
The GC asks for clarification on the roof drain locations. Open the RFI response form, hold your button, and speak: 'Roof drain locations are coordinated with structural grid and shown on sheet A-501. Primary drains align with column lines B and E. Overflow drains are offset 3 feet north to avoid interference with RTU supports. Refer to structural sheet S-301 for reinforcement at drain locations.' Response documented with full context in 20 seconds.
Capturing design rationale for future reference
You just selected the brick color and bond pattern. Before moving on, hold your hotkey and explain: 'Selected medium ironspot brick with recessed horizontal mortar joints to emphasize horizontality and relate to adjacent 1920s warehouse context. Running bond on primary facades, stack bond at entry portal to differentiate. Color warmer than original basis of design per client preference expressed March 15 meeting.' Intent documented. When questions arise in six months, the reasoning is there.
Dictating meeting notes during client presentations
The client just made an important decision about the lobby finishes. While they're discussing next steps, you hold your button and quietly note: 'Client approved stone flooring option B, the honed Pietra Cardosa. Requested accent strip in brass rather than bronze to match elevator cabs. Confirm lead time by end of week.' Key decisions captured in the moment, not reconstructed later.
Writing site observation reports after walkthroughs
You're back at your car after a site visit. Before you drive away, hold your hotkey and narrate: 'Site observation April 15. Weather clear, 45 degrees. Structural steel erection continuing on grid lines 7 through 12. Noted missing fireproofing at third floor beam connections grid line 9, notified superintendent. Curtain wall mock-up installation beginning next week per schedule. No significant deviations observed.' Full report dictated in the parking lot, formatted when you return.
Documenting submittal reviews
You're reviewing a shop drawing for custom millwork. Instead of typing review comments, hold and speak: 'Submittal 09 64 00 dash 003 casework shop drawings. Revise and resubmit. Detail at reception desk transition does not match design intent — see sketch SK-42 for correct profile. Verify veneer grain direction runs vertical per specification. Add blocking locations for wall-mounted monitors.' Comments drafted faster than you could type, with the drawing still in front of you.
Quick email responses between design tasks
A consultant emails asking about the ceiling height in the mechanical room. You're deep in developing the stair detail, but this is a quick answer. Hold your button: 'Mechanical room ceiling is 14 feet to structure, 12 feet 6 to accessible maintenance platform at east wall. Coordinate ductwork routing to clear platform. Let me know if you need a section.' Email sent in 15 seconds. Back to the stair.
Why architects choose Blurt over built-in dictation
| Blurt | macOS Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Single hotkey, instant start | Click microphone or double-tap keyboard |
| Speed | Text appears in under 500ms | 2-3 second delay typical |
| Accuracy | Consistent across long dictation sessions | Degrades with length, often fails silently |
| Technical vocabulary | Handles terms like 'mullion', 'fenestration', 'curtain wall' | Struggles with architectural terminology |
| Workflow integration | Works without switching mental context | Requires attention to system UI |
Frequently Asked Questions
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