Building on Cathedrals: AI Brings Medieval Architecture to Life

An innovative project led by Professor Julia Thomas of the School of English, Communication and Philosophy is transforming how we explore and preserve medieval architectural heritage.

By combining artificial intelligence (AI) with Lambeth Palace Library’s vast collections, Building on Cathedrals, supported by Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives and the University of Wyoming, offers fresh insights into centuries-old designs.

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities, the project uses cutting-edge tools like image recognition, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and caption detection to digitise and explore fragile historical materials. Over 3,000 images of 22 medieval cathedrals have been preserved at high resolution, enhancing accessibility for researchers, architects, and cultural heritage professionals.

A digital exhibition accompanies a physical showcase curated by Camille Koutoulakis at Lambeth Palace Library, inviting visitors to explore cathedral architecture through AI-enhanced tools and rich contextual resources.

The project’s innovations include over 1,400 AI-generated tags, enabling precise searches for architectural features like facades, naves, spires, and stained-glass windows.

Using fine-tuned AI models such as CLIP and OWL-ViT, the team has achieved unprecedented detail in identifying and localising intricate features. For example, adjusting the AI’s confidence threshold revealed often-overlooked details like lierne vaults and stained-glass windows, enriching the understanding of medieval design.

Caption detection technology proved more effective than traditional OCR for deciphering faded or complex texts, further improving cataloguing and accessibility. These advancements bring Lambeth Palace Library’s collection to broader audiences, fostering collaboration among scholars and cultural heritage conservators.

Building on Cathedrals highlights the potential of AI to preserve and reinterpret historical materials. By combining technology with history, the project ensures England’s ecclesiastical heritage remains accessible for future generations.

For more information and to view the digital exhibition, visit Lambeth Palace Library’s website.