Vectorworks Highlights 2026 Industry Trends Shaping the Future of Design

The trends reflect input from global practice, industry commitments on climate and biodiversity, and Vectorworks’ own research into how designers are evolving their workflows.​

“As we look to 2026, the firms that will lead are the ones turning industry change into daily practice,”

said Vectorworks Senior Product Marketing Manager Eric Gilbey, PLA.

“From embodied carbon tracking to AI-assisted design and immersive live experiences, these trends represent real opportunities for designers to elevate performance and impact.”

Architecture and Interiors: Data-Driven Design, Adaptive Reuse, and Climate Action

For architects, the 2026 trends emphasize the convergence of BIM, AI, and sustainable design analysis as the new baseline for competitive practice. Survey data from the Vectorworks AEC Trends Report indicate strong BIM adoption and a clear recognition that data-rich models deliver a measurable return on investment through improved coordination and visualization. Architects are also looking ahead to increased use of digital twins, AR/VR, and open interoperability to extend value across the entire building lifecycle.​

At the same time, the outlook emphasizes adaptive reuse, natural materials, and biodiversity-aware design as key responses to climate commitments, such as the AIA 2030 Commitment and RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge.

For interior designers, Vectorworks’ 2026 perspective highlights the growing expectation that interior projects contribute meaningfully to carbon reduction and occupant well-being, not just aesthetics. Building on this shift, the trends point to flexible, shape-shifting spaces, holistic sustainability, and embodied carbon calculation as defining themes for the year ahead. Designers are being asked to make commercial and residential spaces work harder, supporting multiple modes including collaboration, focused work, living, and wellness within the same footprint.

Landscape Architecture and Design: Climate Resilience and Smart Tools

For landscape architecture, the 2026 trends are anchored in climate responsibility, with national and international action plans setting a new bar for emissions reduction, biodiversity, and long-term ecological performance. Updated frameworks from organizations such as ASLA are driving firms to revisit materials, water strategies, and project management practices through a climate and equity lens.​

Insights note accelerating focus on biodiversity, native planting, water-sensitive design, and emerging uses of sensors and drone-based data to monitor performance and urban heat.

Entertainment Design: Immersive, Intelligent, and Impactful Live Experiences

In live entertainment and events, the 2026 trends showcase a sector defined by immersive technology, AI-enabled workflows, and rising expectations around sustainability and audience impact. Designers are leaning into LED-based environments, energy-efficient lighting, and GIS-informed site planning to create experiences that are visually powerful, operationally efficient, and easier to manage at scale.​

Alongside this, the trends emphasize climate-conscious logistics, community impact, and audience-driven, hyper-personalized experiences as defining measures of success for live events in 2026 and beyond.

Explore the full collection of 2026 industry trends in the Vectorworks Newsroom, including insights for architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and design, and entertainment professionals.

Experience how these trends come to life in practice with a free trial of Vectorworks Design Suite.