London Creates Showcases AI and Ancient Design as the Future of Architecture

• Proeksa Meas
• 4 September 2026
• Construction Focus
• 704 Views

Architecture, engineering, and artificial intelligence converged at this year’s London Creates festival, where industry leaders, researchers, and students explored how centuries-old ideas are inspiring the next generation of sustainable design.

One of the festival’s highlights was a presentation by Philippe Block, co-founder of Swiss startup Vaulted, who demonstrated how Gothic cathedral vaults have inspired an innovative concrete flooring system. By applying ancient geometric principles with modern computational design, Vaulted says its technology can reduce concrete use by up to 70% and steel use by 90%, helping lower the construction industry’s carbon footprint while creating reusable building components.

Held from July 16–26, London Creates centered on the theme “Creative Intelligence,” featuring interactive AI exhibits, startup showcases, workshops, and talks from leading architecture firms including ZHA, Foster + Partners, and KPF. Organized by Archisource, the free public festival aims to encourage collaboration and innovation across the design industry.

Speakers from Bentley Systems, Buro Happold, and KPF highlighted AI’s growing role in architecture and engineering. Rather than replacing professionals, they described AI as a tool that can automate repetitive tasks, improve design workflows, and make advanced technologies more accessible, while emphasizing that human expertise remains essential for verifying engineering accuracy and ensuring safety.

Architect Mariana Cabugueira shared how AI has enabled her six-person studio to compete with much larger firms by accelerating visualization and production work, allowing her team to focus on creativity and design quality. Students attending the festival echoed optimism, viewing AI as another skill architects will learn alongside existing digital design tools.

The festival concluded with a clear message: the future of architecture lies in combining timeless engineering principles with modern AI and digital technologies. By learning from the past while embracing innovation, the industry is finding new ways to build more efficiently, sustainably, and creatively.

• Bentley
• AI
• Bentley Systems
• London creates