During the second year of the Master in Advanced Architecture + Thesis Project (MAA02), students have the unique opportunity to work for a period of 1 year on an Individual Thesis Project, focused on the development of a research or pilot project based on the student’s interest, and the learnings of the first year. IAAC supports the student in selecting their Thesis Project topic in order to better orient them according to their future career interests and opportunities. Each student, according to their specific topic, is assigned one or more Thesis Advisors that follow the development of the work throughout the year.
In parallel to the development of the Individual Thesis Project, the second year of the MAA02 offers a series of seminars enhancing the theoretical, practical and computational skills of the students.
This thesis explores light as a neuro-adaptive architectural interface that responds to human physiological and emotional states. By translating biosignals such as GSR, EEG, and ECG into dynamic lighting behaviors, the research proposes a shift from static light control systems to empathic, responsive environments. The project combines physical prototypes and spatial experiments to investigate how … Read more
Reviving Bab Al-Luq is a project of IAAC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia developed in the MACAD 2025/26 by Zeynep Sezen Dursun and Faculty: Hesham Shawqy and Angeliki Maragakis. Inspiration & Design Decisions This project aims to explore light and computational architectural design concerning the illumination, ventilation, and attraction in the design of the … Read more
Introduction ECO-Data Hub is a digital platform developed to address one of the most pressing challenges in the built environment: the lack of accessible, verified, and comparable environmental data for construction materials. As the industry transitions toward low-carbon practices, the ability to make informed material choices becomes crucial. ECO-Data Hub proposes a unified data ecosystem … Read more
CONCEPT IDEATION FLOW CHART SELECTED COMPONENTS Components Prototypes Forensic Report Agency Senior Forensic Team Case identifier MDEF-MAA-UTS-001 Members Alejandra Rivera Zamacona, Armin Gulbert, Ludovico Celli, Melissa Ingaruca Moreno, Rishi Srinivasan, Swarna Manjari Chellapandi Date of Receipt 19 November 2025 Date of Report 21 November 2025 Website URL https://hackmd.io/@nmoHUr94RLOmMhWqUedElQ/B1AbeLjlbg Purpose of the Report The purpose of … Read more
What if innovation meant remembering instead of inventing? PROBLEM We live in a time where cities grow taller and denser, but also more disconnected from nature, from tradition, and from the wisdom of those who built before us. We believe that the answer to sustainable architecture doesn’t always lie in invention but in rediscovery. Vernacular … Read more
PROBLEM SOLUTION CoolStreets Lab provides scalable, practical micro-scale heat-risk maps that help cities identify where to cool, shade, and protect their most vulnerable areas. COMPETITION BUSINESS MODEL Target Customers Business Model Early Validation Expert Interviews Key Insight Municipality Feedback Unit Economics TEAM FUNDING NEED WHAT THIS COVERS WHY THIS AMOUNT This is the minimum budget … Read more
Research question: How can a material be used in restoration of the existing buildings in the region of Terres De l’Ebre which is beneficial for the future ecology whilst creating industries of extraction of that material without depleting the ecology? Abstract of the proposal: The project explores how the abundant geological materials of Terres de … Read more
CONCEPT Creating a dynamic relationship between the building and its environment A responsive façade design inspired by the concept of living architecture The geometric logic and panel behavior were first modeled in Grasshopper, where the movement angles and facade modules were tested digitally. Then, through Arduino’s control, this virtual logic was physically prototyped turning environmental … Read more
CONCEPT In the modern urban life, people constantly move between work, travel, and rest — often ignoring the plants that bring vitality and warmth to their homes. When we are away, these plants silently endure the risks of dryness and decay. This Auto-Irrigation Plant System offers a gentle solution to that small but meaningful concern. … Read more
This project investigates the reinterpretation of the traditional mosaic technique of Trencadís through contemporary methods of digital and robotic fabrication. The process began with manual explorations aimed at understanding the material and compositional logic underlying Trencadís—specifically, the principles governing the arrangement and fitting of irregular fragments to generate cohesive surfaces. These initial studies provided critical … Read more
