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.
The Digital Fabrication Collection showcases four prototypes developed through distinct making techniques. Each project explores how form, material, and geometry respond to CNC milling, laser cutting, 3D printing, and robotic fabrication, highlighting the diverse possibilities of digitally driven design. Light Lattice The Light Lattice project explores how laser cutting can translate digital geometry into tangible … Read more
Vertical elements shape how we experience architecture-defining boundaries, filtering light, and giving character to both interiors and facades. In this exercise, we explored their potential through hands-on digital fabrication, rotating between 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, and robotic manufacturing. Working within a fixed wooden framework, each technique challenged us to rethink material behavior, structural … Read more
3D Printing | Kinetic Facade | CONCEPT | The project draws its primary inspiration from the dynamic, sun-responsive mashrabiya system of the Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi. What captivated me was the sharp visual contrast between conventional, static façade geometries often rectilinear or triangulated and the refined kinetic intelligence embedded in these triangular adaptive … Read more
The kinetic façade dynamically responds to natural light through adaptive panels that modulate openness and shading, creating a living skin that breathes with the environment. As daylight fades, the integrated buzzer activates, signaling the transition from day to night transforming the façade into an expressive architectural interface between nature and technology. Pin-mount suspension system The … Read more
A sun-chasing system is a mechanism that automatically tracks the movement of the sun across the sky to maintain the optimal angle for capturing sunlight. When applied to solar panels, this technology can increase energy efficiency by up to 30–40% compared to fixed panels, as it maximizes exposure throughout the day. Beyond energy generation, the … Read more
The rising incidence and intensity of wildfires represent a pressing issue. Driven by climate change, prolonged droughts, and poor land management, these fires are no longer isolated incidents but massive, destructive events that regularly surpass human control. Given the scale and speed of these megafires, traditional response methods are often too slow. We must shift … Read more
Hasan Hirji The Light Reactive Aperture Device – LRAD facade system uses light to control two motorized arms, extending and contracting a taut wire frame. This prototype could offer a number of scalable and modular uses. One of these for instance could be creating a light reactive, repeating facade system that expands light shades when … Read more
This project explores how human motion in space may be sensed, interpreted, and recorded with physical computing. The project integrates digital sensing with spatial interaction. With three ultrasonic sensors, LEDs, a servo motor, and an OLED display, the system not only senses but also displays directional flow — i.e., whether people are coming or going … Read more
Problem Tersa is a public company that runs a waste incineration plant in Sant Adrià del Besòs, serving much of the Barcelona metropolitan area. Over the years, local associations and residents have raised concerns that the plant may exceed emissions limits of toxic substances and caused pollution. Despite all the concerns, the investigating judge archived … Read more
The goal of this project is to design a smart light maze that reacts to the movement or presence of people. In this system, the paths and walls of the maze are made of colorful LED strips (such as NeoPixel), which light up dynamically and interactively as participants move through the maze. When a person … Read more
All seats in public areas are typically uniform in height; however, individuals differ in stature. When a seat is elevated, a child may find it challenging to access, whereas a low seat could cause discomfort for a taller individual. The optimal proportion is that the chair’s seat height should be approximately 25% of your total … Read more
This project explores how technology can transform everyday architectural spaces into interactive environments. The concept focuses on an alarm system that reacts to human presence through light and sound, creating a sensory dialogue between the user and the space. This experiment merges architecture, design, and electronics to question how spatial security can also become an … Read more
Concept This project features a dynamic façade that responds to joystick movements, allowing users to control the orientation of its panels toward the north, south, east, or west. Each direction activates a different sound and colored light, providing both auditory and visual feedback that complements the tactile control. For example, a high-pitched tone and red … Read more
ABSTRACT Crisis mitigation runs in the roots. Hailing from earthquake prone regions of Assam and Gujarat in India, we understand that the need for humane awareness amidst chaos of natural anguish is the most important element in the context of survival. The Portable Earthquake Detector a low-cost earthquake detection system to enhance local safety as … Read more
CONCEPT Cymat-E explores the concept of an acoustic radar, a device that can detect and visualize the ideal audible range, or the distance where sound is heard most clearly and comfortably. The idea takes inspiration from how radar systems map physical space, but instead, we are mapping sound space. Using microphones and sound analysis, the … Read more
by Francisco Pinel on October 26, 2025 The Quiet-o-Meter is an interactive sound awareness prototype designed to promote mindful noise behavior in shared environments. Inspired by the need for greater awareness of how our collective sound levels can affect others, this project transforms ambient noise into visual and auditory cues that encourage quieter, more considerate spaces. Built on … Read more
