The MAA is a visionary master program with an innovative and open structure, mixing diverse disciplines, shaping professionals capable of producing theoretical & practical solutions towards responsive cities, architecture & technology.


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Morphologies of Making: Four Experiments in Digital Craft

Our digital fabrication journey unfolds through four experiments that explore how material, geometry, and technology negotiate form. Each project challenges a different fabrication technique: laser cutting, CNC milling, 3D printing, and robotic manufacturing, while asking a deeper question: How does digital logic reshape the language of craft? Laser Cutting Tessellated Lightfield This project explores the … Read more

Tectonics of Digital Craft

Digital fabrication enables designers to explore geometries that go beyond traditional construction constraints. The exercise focuses on translating complex geometries into constructible systems that integrate material behaviour, joinery logic, and mass customisation. Each technique allows experimentation with unique fabrication constraints, informing the evolution of the vertical element design. The outputs serve as material and geometric … Read more

Introduction to Digital Fabrication: A GAME OF DUALITY !

This term’s digital fabrication explorations investigated the expressive and technical potential of multiple fabrication methods laser cutting, CNC milling, robotic clay extrusion, and 3D printing. While each technique demanded a different workflow and material logic, a common thread emerged: the use of material duality to create depth, contrast, and spatial effect. By combining two materials … Read more

Machine Thinking

Introduction to Digital Fabrication Team : Sejin Park & Hasan Hirji CNC Milling During the CNC Milling process, RhinoCAM software automatically creates bridges; a necessary milling process outside of commands that one might use to manipulate material. We began with the idea of testing the frequency and depth of 2-axis bridging path movement presets to … Read more

Material Ecologies: From Nature to Façade

Vertical architectural elements play a defining role in shaping thresholds, filtering light, and guiding how we perceive both interior and exterior spaces. In this project, we explored their spatial and expressive potential through a sequence of hands-on fabrication experiments. Drawing inspiration from natural forms and behaviors, each design aimed to reinterpret organic patterns into façade … Read more

Fabricated Motion

Introduction to Digital Fabrication In contemporary architectural practice, digital fabrication has opened new possibilities for designing and producing building components with precision, efficiency, and expressive complexity. Among the most widely used methods—laser cutting, CNC milling, 3D printing, and robotic fabrication, each offers unique material, geometric, and performative potentials. For this assignment, we explore these techniques … Read more

FACADE PROTOTYPING

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

TriAxial Dynamics

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

TERRANOVA: Organic Waste to Ecological Wealth

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

BACK TO ZERO

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

BIOGENESIS

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

Pixel ecology

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

SHORE SWIRL 

COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN SEMINAR-TERM 1 Our proposed pavilion for Plaça del Mar near Barcelona coastline draws inspiration from seashells, featuring a twisted shell structure that blends nature and architecture. Designed using Grasshopper software, the pavilion’s parametric form optimizes shading, wind resistance, and structural stability, offering a sustainable and functional space. This multifunctional landmark celebrates the coastal … Read more

WAFFLE – DIGITAL FABRICATION

This term, we explored three Digital fabrication techniques: CNC Milling, Laser Cutting, and 3D Printing. Our objective was to create A Cabin Integrating and investigating the characteristics of each technique. Concept The waffle cabin, designed for future human use, is tailored for different terrains, including beach, desert, forest, and plain regions. The primary structure of … Read more

ELEVURA

DIGITAL FABRICATION 3D Printing | CNC Milling | Laser Cutting 3D PRINTING As we embarked on this three-week journey of digital fabrication, we began with 3D printing in the first week. Our goal was to create something that could be integrated with our other techniques in the weeks to come. To maintain flexibility and openness … Read more

Digital Fabrication – The Spine

Throughout this class, we explored three key fabrication techniques: Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, and CNC Milling. For each method, we were challenged to develop and prototype digital fabrication solutions for a Digitally Crafted Cabin project. For laser cutting, we used a slicing technique with acrylic. Inspired by organic shapes like spines and bones, we aimed … Read more