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.

Bookworm Pavilion

Computational Design 1 The “BookWorm” pavilion aims to foster a sense of learning through the creation of an interactive learning space. Most library and institutional structures are often intimidating for children. The aim was to create a landscape of books that invite children to explore and learn simultaneously. We wanted children to engage in “reading” … Read more

China Pavilion Milan Expo 2015

Computational Design Analysis For the 2015 Expo at Milan, a New York based studio: Studio Link-Arc paired with Tsinghua University in China to design and build the China Pavilion. The idea was to showcase China’s deep connection to both the cities and the countryside that reside within its borders. To do this the pavilion is … Read more

Kaleidoscopic Sculptures

Concept William Darrell describes his kinetic sculptures as “mechanically abstracted organisms,” animated forms that pulse, shimmy, and spin with lifelike motion. The London-based artist is inspired by the relationship between the organic and the mechanical along with the enticing, mesmerizing qualities of movement that can coax “fear or fascination” from the viewer.  Kaleidoscopic Sculptures is … Read more

Agro Char

The AGROCHAR project introduces a revolutionary architectural system that combines sustainability, versatility, and carbon capture. By harnessing the power of biochar, an agricultural waste product with carbon-negative properties, AGROCHAR minimizes environmental impact while contributing to decarbonization efforts. The system’s topological interlocking assembly method, supported by post- tensioning techniques, redefines traditional structural configurations, enabling efficient and … Read more

Introduction to Digital Fabrication

Group 20 Timber Spatial Joint Concept The aim of this timber spatial joint was to explore the bending technique applied to plywood or MDF using kerfing but also apply it in 2 directions instead of 1. The bent joint is then inserted into the circular wooden sticks and fixed in place using a wooden dowel. … Read more

Form Follows Availability

The construction industry is the number one consumer of global raw materials while being one of the biggest producers of waste in the European Union.In this Research, we aim to explore the possibilities of secondary waste wood (Pallets) based on the notion of discreteness and develop a “Programmable Matter System”.These discrete building blocks can be … Read more

Object sensing door

Concept The system is aimed to provide lighting to passers-by in dark environments while also automatically opening the door to greet them. This system can also be used to warn burglars and reduce social crimes. Circulation System: Component Assembly Code Prototype

Motion sensor

Brief: The idea of the assignment is to use 2 sensors and 1-2 actuators in arduino to create a working system. Concept: Motion detection with lights: The idea of the project is to use the ultrasonic sensor to detect objects coming close to it so the light sensor can be activated which it turn forces … Read more

Dancing plant

Dancing plant is a project of IAAC, the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, developed in the Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA01) 2021/22 by student: Sebastian Oliver Dahl; faculty: Angel Muñoz; faculty assistant: Shahar Abelson. The dancing plant is a playful amplification of the reach of 8 motors. The plant has two modes: one is … Read more

Slow the Flow

Vallcarca Cane Park Manifesto The Vallcarca Cane Park is an urban farm aimed towards reconnecting the diverse set of communities that make up its surrounding neighborhood. Located in an urban void north of the Ronda de Dalt, our structure is built using cane, a vernacular material, and traditional fabrication methods such as active bending. The … Read more

Planet on the plate

What planet do we design for? Abstract Within this figure, the human ceases to be an agent of planetary processes and is seen more as their accident or aftereffect, a mere medium among other mediums. Act 1 The speech of a congresswoman candidate was just finished. Chairs are moving, people are gathering around the tables … Read more

Ultrasonic Sensor HC – SR04 and LCD

Ultrasonic sensors are great tools to measure distance without actual contact. In this project we have used an Ultrasonic Sensor to determine the distance of an obstacle from the sensor that is read by LCD screen. Basic principal of ultrasonic distance measurement is based on ECHO. When sound waves are transmitted in environment then waves … Read more

Radar Alarm

The system consists in a Radar that works similarly as a car sensor. It is made out of an ultrasonic sensor that can detect objects and can identify the distance where they are. This sensor rotates 180 degrees in a servomotor and when the information gets back is processed by IDE Processing to map the … Read more

Zero | Edge

Urban void as a potential: Redefinition of a marginalized-industrial area by an auto-sufficient and tailorized production system relying on km0 recycled waste materials Manifest The intention is to design a hub between an industrial landscape and a small residential zone that will revitalize the surrounding area. This process will lead to the redefinition of a … Read more

ALGAE LOOP

THE FUTURE OF HEURA’S WORKSPACE THE GOAL of this project is to envision the future of HEURA FOODS workspace, considering existing technologies and climate change scenarios and using Barcelona’s historical building as a site for intervention. HEURA FOODS was founded in 2017 by Marc and Bernan in a co-working office in the center of Barcelona. … Read more

URBAN HIATUS

MANIFESTO Inclusive, Productive, Sustainable Urban Hiatus is a project that centers around human scale and brings back the lost identity for the people of Poblenou. It aims towards a structure that is inclusive, productive and sustainable.The latest urban plans in Barcelona solved a lot of issues, but sometimes forgot about smaller day to day spaces … Read more

AEROKINESIS

THE WIND FACILITATES The project aims to create a “breathing” facade system, which will be able to provide fresh air to both internal and external areas of the Casa Sayrach. The facade as a metabolic device which helps to tackle air pollution is based on one of the main principles – using clean energy, which … Read more

CONTRA.STATES

Sants is a neighbourhood located in Barcelona, and Carrer de Sants is a high street in the eponymous neighbourhood of Sants. It is the main street of the district and the longest commercial street of Europe. Our building that we have chosen, Casa Jaume Estrada is located on this lively street. Casa Jaume Estrada, Carrer de … Read more

Cocoa Temple

BRIEF It‘s hard to imagine a world without chocolate. But if current behaviors continue, cacao trees (Theobroma cacao) – the source of cacao and, ultimately, chocolate – could be extinct by mid-century. This is because cocoa, and the agricultural system that sustains it, face both human and natural threats that can be existential.The problem is … Read more

The Urban Sanctuary

Heura 2050 Heura 2050 | Urban To create a workspace as a farm, we began by designing the farms. When we looked at the existing site we are working on, we decided to relocate the ship repair buildings. The new space would be used to place our urban and floating farms. In addition, we would … Read more

Food Playground

In the Introductory Studio G3: The Workspace of the Future, our group designed for a given client, Heura Foods, in a given site, Nova Bocana. Our design ideas were generated from the current missions of the company. The design proposal was not only a workspace for the employees, but a food playground for the community. … Read more

Flight SA-3.470

How can we design for a world of increasing uncertainty despite ever growing predictive power? ACT -1 Plane taking off. Pilot: Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking, welcome aboard this Saudi Arabian Airlines flight from Berlin to Jeddah. Currently entering Polish airspace, our route will take us across eastern Europe, where you will … Read more

Nexus Biota

– Nexus – an important connection between the parts of a system or a group of things. – Biota – the animals and plants living in a particular place (…). —FUTURE WORK SPACE 2045— Hello! I’m Antoni, a student at IAAC in Barcelona. Enrolled in the design studio ‘The future workspace’. And here I am. … Read more