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.
The Moody Elevator
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
Light Responsive Kinetic façade…
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
StructuraX – Self aware Architecture
Structura X is a low-cost structural health monitoring system that tracks vibration patterns and foundation shifts to detect early signs of instability in buildings. Using a 3-axis accelerometer and ultrasonic distance sensing, the device provides real-time feedback through visual and acoustic alerts, enabling proactive maintenance and long-term structural safety. Why This Matters Buildings appear static, … Read more
Sunflower
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
Sentinel Mesh
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
Hoarder.data
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
TOO BRIGHT!
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
Auto Irrigation Plant System
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
Interactive Light-Tracking Sculpture
We built an interactive kinetic pavilion that literally turns toward the light. At its heart the piece uses four light sensors (LDRs) arranged around a central mount and a single servo motor. The sensors constantly measure brightness from different directions; the motor then rotates the structure smoothly toward whichever sensor detects the strongest light. What … Read more
LumiMaze
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
ProxiSense
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
Cymat-E
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
Sound-responsive Alert System
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
BreatheSmart
Introduction to Programming and Physical Computing Seminar This project focuses on developing a smart air quality monitoring system using a Seeed Lotus microcontroller, an MQ-135 air quality sensor, a 0.96” OLED display, a buzzer, a small motor or fan, and a panel with three LEDs to indicate air quality levels. The system continuously measures CO₂ … Read more
