Within the current global context of rapid change, integrated with the potentials of digital technologies, IAAC’s Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA) is committed to the generation of new ideas and applications for Urban Design, Self Sufficiency, Digital Manufacturing Techniques and Advanced Interaction.
In this context IAAC works with a multidisciplinary approach, facing the challenges posed by our environment and the future development of cities, architecture and buildings, through a virtuous combination of technology, biology, computational design, digital and robotic fabrication, pushing innovation beyond the boundaries of a more traditional architectural approach.
Located in the quiet community of Sant Adria De Besos lies the Besos Power Station. This waste to energy power plant is responsible for providing power to over 10 municipalities of Spain and takes care of nearly half of the waste that comes into Barcelona. While this factory proves to be highly effective, several negative … Read more
Insights from LCA, Materials, Energy, Circuitry, and Transport Modular design is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of sustainable construction, offering innovative ways to balance environmental responsibility with functional efficiency. Our recent exploration through five interconnected sessions—ranging from Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) to energy use, advanced manufacturing, and transport—has provided profound insights into how we can optimize modular … Read more
NARRATIVE Back to Zero is a regenerative concept that targets oil refineries and other aging infrastructures that pollute our world. The narrative is inspired from the “skin in the game” concept, and calculates lifetime co2 emissions for high emitting “hosts”, which then becomes a target for that same “host” to sequester through the carbon sequestration … Read more
Reviving Resources for a Living Future Introduction ‘Seed’ envisions an innovative approach by transforming educational spaces into hubs for urban farming, food education, and community resilience. By merging learning, living, and farming, we aim to create a self-sustaining ecosystem where students and the community collaborate to tackle food scarcity while minimizing resource use. Site Location … Read more
TRANSFORMING WASTE INTO SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL RESOURCES The goal is to convert various types of waste into sustainable resources, establishing a circular economy that enhances environmental benefits by repurposing waste, promoting renewable energy, and encouraging innovation in bioproducts. This site, like many others around the world, holds the memories of a different time. What happens when … Read more
Aqua Horta aims to establish a sustainable aquaponic farm in Vallcarca, focusing on producing fresh, chemical-free, local produce while creating an engaging therapy garden for patients of the neighbouring hospital complex. This controlled ecosystem combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a closed-loop system that minimizes water wastage and incorporates rainwater harvesting to enhance resilience against … Read more
This project seeks to transform La Fira, an industrial zone in Barcelonès, into a sustainable insect farming hub. By embedding insect farming within the existing infrastructure, it will leverage local resources to efficiently produce high-protein insect products. Traditional agriculture faces growing pressures including water scarcity and limited space, especially in urban areas like Barcelona. Insect farming … Read more
BIODIVERSE PUBLIC SPACECollaborative Design with Humans and Non-humans The Besòs River in northeastern Spain flows through Catalonia from the Montseny mountains to the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona, covering about 17 kilometers. Once heavily polluted by industrial waste and urban runoff, it has undergone significant environmental restoration, improving its water quality and accessibility for wildlife and … Read more
Renaturalized Pathways SITE ANALYSIS ECOTONES AND BIOMES FLORA AND FAUNA Hypothesis & Concept THE DESIGN THE VISUALS HUMAN INTERACTION
Succession Landscape Strategy of succession through the creation of ecological island Site ANALISIS PROJECT MATRIX CONCEPT Strategy of succession through the creation of ecological island MASTERPLAN THE COMPONENT THE ISLANDS Island 01 Island 02 Island 03 SUSSECCION STRATEGY HOW IT WORKS VIDEO MODEL
Our studio project is focused on reinventing this site near the Bésos Rivermouth as a biodiverse public space. To approach this project, we started by studying the site through the lens of multiple species, both human and non-human. In understanding what the flora and fauna of this area look like we began posing specific questions … Read more
A Case Study in Cairo, Egypt In today’s rapidly urbanizing world, environmental analysis has become a cornerstone of sustainable design. Team AS08, comprising Amira El-Saeed and Mohamed Attay, presented their findings on environmental analysis for Cairo, Egypt, using advanced digital tools. Their presentation, titled “Digital Tools for Environmental Analysis,” explored a range of climate-related challenges … Read more
Programmed Shading devices for humans 1 > References 2 / The integration of interactive architecture and responsive technology opens new frontiers in design, as exemplified by the Hylozoic Ground installation and its envisioned evolution into autonomous systems. Hylozoic Ground serves as a reference point, showcasing an immersive spatial installation that mimics nature’s behaviors. Through architectural … Read more
PHYSICAL COMPUTING & PROGRAMMING Ultrasonic Sensor with Alarm, LCD and Temperature CONCEPT This project gives me the info I need about the water level in a water tank. When the level is low, the green LED is ON. When the level is medium, the yellow LED is ON. When the level is HIGH the red … Read more
How can we map the confluence of humans and architecture? concept sketches design flow bill of materials arduino schematic code trial: distance / angles open position closed position
