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Warren and Mahoney establishes new AI Lead role, a bold step for the architecture industry 

April 21, 2026
Warren and Mahoney has appointed Principal Brad Sara as its new AI Lead, strengthening its focus on emerging technology and the role of AI in shaping Aotearoa’s built environment.  

Maintaining his responsibilities as Warren and Mahoney’s Digital Services Lead, Brad will take on the newly established AI portfolio with extensive experience in digital innovation and leadership.

“AI is shifting the balance of where architects spend their time, allowing for a greater focus on areas of the design process that matter most,” says Brad.

“Doing more design thinking while AI assists with certain processes, or using new data to make more informed decisions, for example, allows us to deliver projects both more efficiently and to a higher standard.”

In his role, Brad will lead the development and application of AI across the practice, identifying where it can add meaningful value across projects. Building on his previous role, in which he contributed to projects including Wellington’s Te Rua Archives building and the Joint Facility project between AgResearch and Lincoln University, Brad will work with project teams and stakeholders to unlock new design processes, enhance workflows, and support more informed decision-making.

Brad's appointment marks a bold step for the industry, and reflects the practice’s view that embedding AI at a leadership level will help drive more adaptive, resilient and future-focused projects.

We hope and recognise that decisions like these carry weight beyond our own studios. Establishing an AI Lead role is about taking a proactive approach to how emerging tools shape our work and, in turn, the environments we help create.
John Coop, Warren and Mahoney Managing Director