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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Reinventing Bamboo Architecture

Bamboo, a sustainable and strong material, remains underutilized in modern architecture. My research explores new methodologies to optimize its structural potential, reinvestigating its bending properties and integrating digital fabrication techniques. Addressing durability and standardization challenges, I advocate for bamboo’s inclusion in European building codes, promoting it as a viable alternative to steel and concrete. By … Read more

JOIN(x)

investigative research into creating a catalogue of joinery methods, varying in complexity and geometries. At the same time, integrating a new workflow of design to mill fabrication using new components such as D2P & TasMachine to create sophis`iticated digital models and manage complexity. precedence first day / manual studies on our first day, we picked … Read more

LOCKS + KEYS: Joinery Exploration

What is craft? Craft as an area of exploration. Seeking to push our boundaries of fidelity and artistry with an acknowledgment of use; The merge between form and function, allowing for endless opportunity. With this project our group’s aim was to explore the intricacies of craft in joinery, and to gain an appreciation of the … Read more

Taller Gaudí

The project is set in the left sacristy of the Sagrada Família, positioned on the Nativity façade side. As one of the key auxiliary spaces of the basilica, the sacristy serves as a preparatory and ceremonial area for religious functions.The sacristia adjacency to the Nativity façade, known for its intricate organic forms and symbolic storytelling, … Read more

Retyre Foundations

Our project explores the reuse of discarded tires and construction pallet waste in a low-cost, modular foundation and flooring system. The project integrates a stacked tire foundation, where the lower tire distributes load while the upper resists lateral forces and uplift. A custom clamp secures both tires, anchoring a base plate with tolerance for vernacular … Read more

Structural Wardrobe

unlocking the potential of reclaimed timber This project explores the structural potential of reused timber in the development of a load-bearing wardrobe system. By adopting a stock-based design approach, we optimize material efficiency, sustainability, and structural performance. Through physical prototyping and computational analysis using Karamba 3D, we assess various connection strategies, including dowel joints, interlocking … Read more

Hempcrete – Potential Material for Structure

Bringing together structural design and thermal performance! Section 1 : Introduction to Hempcrete Hempcrete has excellent insulating properties, providing thermal regulation by allowing the building to breathe and reduce moisture build-up. The thermal conductivity of hempcrete is typically in the range of 0.06 to 0.07 W/mK, which is about half the thermal conductivity of concrete. … Read more

Flora Sagrada

Garden of Sacred Geometry Welcome to Flora Sagrada at Sagrada Família. The alternative  Sacristy offers an immersive journey through nature, art, and geometry. Sacristy Transformed:  Living Greenhouse DESIGN: The Sacristy evolves into a living, breathing space that harmonizes architecture and nature.LOCAL: perfect conditions for endangered local plant species.EXPERIENCE: Visitors explore a dynamic ecosystem within Gaudí’s … Read more

Zenithra

Concept The design concept for the Spiritual Retreat Center draws inspiration from Antoni Gaudí’s profound integration of nature in the Sagrada Família. Just as Gaudí translated organic forms into architectural elements, we aim to go beyond mere inspiration by incorporating natural elements—sunlight filtering through dynamic openings, water features that enhance tranquility, lush indoor gardens fostering … Read more

DigiGrain: Mastering Wood Joints

The idea of ‘craft’ for us is a blend of traditional hands-on skills and modern digital techniques. The experience reinforced that craft is an evolving dialogue between hand and machine, where both bring unique strengths to the process. PROCESS – JOINT PROTOTYPES JOINT 1 (CNC) JOINT 2 (CNC) JOINT 3 (CNC) JOINT 4 (MANUAL) JOINT … Read more

Hybrid Joints

Hybrid Joints explores the line between craft and art through a collection of digitally and manually crafted joints. Using Grasshopper instead of CAM software, we modeled directly in 3D and iterated quickly. We found that digital woodcraft is a craft itself, requiring not just technical knowledge but also strategy, adaptability, and problem-solving. Machines alone weren’t … Read more

Sagrada Familia Sacristy

We began by understanding the context around the site of our project. More specifically, we dove into understanding the Sagrada Familia and what a sacristy is and entails. During our visit, we started analyzing the geometries found inside the basilica and how they connect to each other. Additionally, we studied the connections between different elements … Read more

Aethra

. ABSTRACT .  For our concept; we decided to used different level In opposition with the current sacristy. During the visit of the building we were a bit disappointed to see that this elegant shape composed of 12 parboloid was divided in 4 different floor that canceled kinda the benefit that the shape brought to … Read more

Back2Besòs

Back2Besòs is an urban game for all ages, where players explore Besòs by finding and solving riddles, uncovering the past, and engaging with the barrio’s spaces in unconventional ways – to learn about its people, their daily lives, historical occupations and their skills. BESÒS CONTEXT Besòs has a complex history of urban transformations driven by … Read more

Styrofoam Beam

Case Study CYCLOPEAN HOUSE   Constructed in 2015, this project was designed by Ensemble Studio and resides in Brookline, Massachusetts. “Cyclopean House is built, using the vigor of the builder, and the ingenuity of the engineer, to start a journey from the place of its manufacture –Madrid- to the place where it can definitely lie … Read more

CABLE TRUSS

STRUCTURAL DESIGN ESSENTIALS WORKSHOP Manja van de Worp Matteo Attanasio Ritu Vora Nina Avdalyan Yetkin Demir Kruti Ajaykumar Ghariwala Ragini Chakrawarti Google HQ , London We are exploring alternative structural systems for the Google HQ building in London. As part of this process, a beam from the proposed system is designed to meet performance standards. … Read more

Air-Guard Pro

Safeguarding your air, one breath at a time Project by Saad Khan Introduction In Self sufficient building studio, we were instructed to take an old, functional electronic object and customize it to affect the climate on a micro scale and positive note using arduino circuitry and its components. The electronic object selected for this project … Read more

LamiCore

Case Study People’s Pavilion – Overtraders Iterations Option 1 Option 2 Displacement Analysis Utilization Analysis Roof Load Analysis Scavenged Timber BEAM TEST DESIGN – BUILDING 3D-Exploration Fabrication Beam Test Load – Deflection Analysis Failure + Improvements Beam Test v/s Karamba Analysis Karamba Analysis Summary Grasshopper Script Embodied Carbon Detail

Truss & Timber

Overview of the three variations Diagrams Option selected Beam design options Beam design selected Karamba Assembly diagrams Assembly + Physical model Failure moment Collapse of the installation Karamba analysis Improvement option Embodied CO2 Personal conclusions