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.

Forces of Nature

Force of Nature – Circle of Force Circle of Force emerged as a research project for studying the form-finding process by applying physics simulations interactively with grasshopper plugin Kangaroo. Our objective is to create a user-friendly design where they can spend time on IAAC Pujades Campus rooftop. Design drives: Parameters for Base Geometry The Base … Read more

Forces of nature

Funicular canopy The aim pf the project is to design a funicular canopy on the IAAC rooftop using computational design tools. State of the art BUGA WOOD PAVILLIONICD/ITKEUNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART The BUGA Wood Pavilion celebrates a new approach to digital timber construction. Its segmented wood shell is based on biological principles found in the plate … Read more

VARMÁRLAUG

/VAR-MÁR-LAUG/ Noun The Icelandic word that  translates to a “Warm Spring Pool” INTRODUCING REYKJAVIK Iceland, located in a climatically critical part of the North Atlantic, is an island where earth, air, fire and ice literary meet, and its environs are a key region of ocean–atmosphere interaction, atmospheric dynamics and cyclogenesis. Reykjavík is located in the … Read more

Possibilities of Reciprocal Timber Structures in the Formation of Space

Possibilities of Reciprocal Timber Structures in the Formation of Space is a project that aimed to explore the potential of using reciprocal timber structures to create innovative and functional spaces. The projects main goal is to leverage both traditional artisanal technologies and modern digital tools to create structures that combine beauty, functionality and sustainability. The … Read more

The Spaces in Between

The objective of this project was to investigate the potential of the pick and place technique in producing a compelling vertical element that showcases the precision of robotic fabrication. Our column boasts an intricate design of oscillating, twisting triangles that expand and contract throughout the height of the structure. The purpose of this design is … Read more

Project: Diffuse

Concept The idea of the project revolves around the concept of light diffusion within Architecture, in which color plays an important role to create a soft and uniform lighting for the interior. On the other hand, the aim is to diffuse direct sunlight while allowing daylight to create a comfortable environment for the user in … Read more

Reviving the Derelict

Concept The project aims to translate movement/motion of people from the streets into kinetic/ light and sound installation on the building’s facade using metal pipes/ wind chimes. The main input into the project would be from ultrasonic sensors placed on the exterior wall in between the building’s boundary and the public. The input from these … Read more

Timber Zipper

The goal of this project is to comprehend the pick-and-place robotic fabrication process using timber members and how to optimize the process using design choices. By experimenting with various twist, rotate, shift, mirror, and scale actions, column typologies that eventually took the form of a zipper-like column were created. The exercise helps us to understand … Read more

SlideSquare: The Sliding Square Facade

The architectonic project of an interactive environment that develops a structure opening and closing according to sunlight is a design that responds to the natural light changes throughout the day. The concept can be applied in a façade to regulate the temperature and sun entrance on the building, or in a residential or commercial project … Read more

DECARBON STRATEGIES: LA BOQUERIA MARKET

Decarbonizing built environments: During this seminar, over the course of a few weeks, it was developed speculative approaches in built environments to minimize the carbon footprint of architectural spaces considering three main aspects: Employing effective carbon capture techniques, Shifting to renewable sources of energy, and Analyzing consumption habits. In this project, we aim to examine the … Read more

Bifold

Reference Project name: Dynamic facade- (Kiefer technic showroom)Architect: Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner ZT GmbHProject team: DI Peter Fürnschuss Project description:Office building and showroom for representative functions and product presentation for a metal company. Structural work: brick walls; reinforced concrete floors; steel columns filled with concrete along the facade. Facades: aluminium-glass facade with vorgelagerten Putzstegen respectively … Read more

Interactive Environments – Hygroscopic Façade

Ideation State of the Art RainBellows is a project that is inspired by nature’s solution for stormwater capture, storage and filtration to the urban environment. It is a highly-sustainable commercial building currently under development in Seattle. Designed to meet the Living Building Challenge, the project revealed opportunities to further reduce use of potable water in … Read more

Motion Rhythm

Concept Motion Rhythm is an immersive installation that creates kinetic and sound patterns through the movement of people. It intends to capture the motion of walking and represent it at eye level, creating a connection between the body and its surrounding environment. It consists of a kinetic ceiling made of transparent bars with metal balls … Read more

TOWER TWIST

Concept Catalogue Main Catalogue Weekly Catalogue Catalogue of the digital exploration Parameters Digital input and ABB Fabrication Physical Limitation of fabrication Design Analysis Rules of the Proposed Geometry Layers: 30N. of Sticks: 120Pivot angle Increment: y = sin (x)Total Rotation: 160* Rotation’s Logic Column Making: The 3 modules Comparison Physics Simulation | Robot Simulation | … Read more

UNFURL

Adaptive shading system Concept The project aims to create a shading installation that reacts to the pressure under it. The movement in the shade occurs when a person or a vehicle is under a module of the shade, triggering the opening of only that module. Location For the site for the installation we chose the … Read more

IN_(TERLOCK) CHAOS 

Abstract This project will focus on using the pick & place operations to develop column geometries stacked out of timber elements. Below we present the development of a parametric system capable of integrating fabrication constraints and architectural goals. The aim was to create a natural geometry with a simple linear element, a catalog of multiple … Read more

DESIRE

DESIgn for REassembly “Design for Dis- and Re-assembly; From a column at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to inhabitable space Valldaura, to…?” Our aim for the course is to design 4 columns for the World Mobile Congress, which then will be reassembled and transformed into roofs, walls, and foundations for a small construction in … 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