French architects are grappling with the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on their profession, experiencing a mix of anxiety and fascination as AI tools become increasingly powerful in the construction sector. At the National Union of French Architect Syndicates (Unsfa) congress held in Angers, professionals are seeking to understand how to make AI an ally without losing their fundamental role as designers and conceptual leaders.
The three-day congress, taking place from October 23-25, 2025, in Angers, Maine-et-Loire, has drawn approximately 1,000 professionals from across France to discuss "architectural intelligence" - the central theme of this year's event. The gathering is being held at the congress center, just steps away from the city center, bringing together architects to address one of the most pressing questions facing their industry today.
"In the face of fragmented public policies, confusing mechanisms, and rushed reforms, architectural intelligence is a way to reconnect with meaning," declared Laure-Anne Duprez-Geoffroy, president of Unsfa, during her inaugural speech on October 23. She emphasized the importance of collective thinking and action during these uncertain times, noting that the profession must navigate through unprecedented challenges.
Duprez-Geoffroy highlighted the turbulent context surrounding the architectural profession, stating, "In a period of uncertainty, where everything seems to be wavering, we must continue to think and act together. Once again this year, we have gone through a period of unprecedented political and economic instability. Governments have succeeded one another, decisions have contradicted each other, and housing and ecological transition policies have lost their clarity."
The congress featured prominent speakers including Mariano Efron, associate architect at Architecturestudio, Catherine Jacquot, president of the Academy of Architecture, and Jean-Baptiste de Froment, director of the National School of Architecture of Paris-Malaquais. These industry leaders joined Duprez-Geoffroy in exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the architectural landscape and what it means for the future of the profession.
As digital tools gain increasing power within the construction and building sector, artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of architects' daily routines, fundamentally redefining the boundaries and scope of their profession. The congress serves as a crucial platform for professionals to examine these changes and develop strategies for adaptation while preserving the creative and intellectual essence of architectural work.
The event reflects broader concerns within the French architectural community about maintaining professional identity and relevance in an age of rapid technological advancement. Architects are working to strike a balance between embracing innovative AI tools that can enhance their capabilities and ensuring that human creativity, design thinking, and professional expertise remain at the core of architectural practice.
