As an inevitable trend of educational development, the cultivation of creative thinking plays a significant role in the cultivation of creative talents in the future. The construction of a teaching system with creative connotations can enhance the creative thinking of students so that they can reach the standard of creative thinking talents. Taking the course of architectural design basis of architecture specialty in Guizhou Minzu University as a reference, the contents, objectives and evaluations of teaching were analyzed from the perspective of students. The mode and structure of engineering teaching were explored. The relationship between the cultivation of creative thinking and creative ability was discussed. The applicable approaches to the cultivation of creative thinking for engineering majors were determined. Furthermore, focusing on the different cognitive levels of students, learning strategies and teaching mode were discussed. The content formulation, teaching logic, quality control, learning driving force and environment construction in the creative thinking system were reviewed. Firstly, it was concluded that rational summary and presentation of knowledge can lay a solid foundation for the cultivation of creative thinking. The theory, practice and expansion characteristics of the course of architectural design basis were conducive to the diversification of knowledge. Secondly, based on the understanding of various engineering colleges on creative thinking, the methods and tools of thinking inspiration, the scope definition of modes and the effect of teaching strategies, the structure of the creative thinking system under the ATN·CDIO engineering teaching mode was proposed, and the corresponding teaching links were designed. Finally, the three-year practical application process was analyzed. The improvement effects of teaching modes and learning thinking were summarized. The teaching achievements were analyzed and summarized. Under the ATN·CDIO engineering education mode, the feasibility and importance of the construction of a creative thinking system in the cultivation of creative thinking were further verified, with a view to strengthening the extensive and in-depth application of ATN·CDIO education mode in teaching.