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.
Abstract In the Anthropocene, the construction industry generates vast quantities of Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), positioning cities as latent material reservoirs rather than endpoints of consumption. This research investigates CDW not as waste, but as a designed material system. Initial experiments explored rammed CDW composites, revealing strong compressive behavior but critical limitations under lateral … Read more
suro+ explores large-scale additive manufacturing with biomaterials by upcycling post-consumer cork stoppers into modular acoustic panels for temporary spatial applications. from post-consumer cork stoppers collected from restaurants in Barcelona, transforming a locally available waste. the stoppers are transformed and mixed with bio-based binders to form a printable composite used to fabricate modular acoustic panels through … Read more
Lux.Ai: a specialized toolset built for the IFCore platform. Our mission is simple: to transform static BIM models into active solar energy assets by automating compliance and yield auditing
Studio: Term 2 – MRAC + MAA For our third term MRAC paired up with MAA students to investigate how vernacular materials and techniques of Catalonia could be modernised with robotic precision to create new typologies. Our group chose to work with Canya; more specifically Arundo Donax, Giant Reed. Two vernacular techniques we looked to … Read more
The Living Fibers MAA/MRAC, Studio Term 2, 2025/2026 Group 1: Brooklyn Edsall, Elias El asmar, Leonard elias Böker, Nikolaos Kalaitzidis, Nisanth Anil Menon Abstract:This project challenges the hyper-standardization of modern construction by investigating the architectural potential of raw, locally sourced Catalan wool. Our research elevates wool from a passive insulation material into an active, rigid, … Read more
– Reimagining the Northern Green Corridor of Lisbon – Location The project site in Lisbon is strategically located within a dynamic urban fabric characterized by a mix of historic layers and contemporary development. Positioned between key mobility corridors and densely populated neighborhoods, the area experiences a high level of pedestrian and vehicular activity throughout the … Read more
This project explores cork as a sustainable material and investigates new possibilities for its application through innovative design and production methods. By experimenting with different technologies and rethinking how they can be used, the aim is to develop new ways of working with cork that minimize carbon emissions, reduce waste, and limit the use of … Read more
how can design unlock the architectural potential of materials that are currently underused or overlooked? Argo Waste materials offer more than environmental benefits. Material – Banana Biomass Total Annual Biomass – 675 Million Tonnes Carbon Emission Through waste “Every 1% of the 525MT of banana biomass we move from “waste” to “construction” prevents roughly4–9 million … Read more
…digitizing terrain to understand runoff & delivering local NBS solutions… …there are 3 types of floods… …the mountains affect runoff… GREEN CITIES AROUND THE WORLD NBS (Nature Based Solution) Bank …Prototyping Phase… …understanding the prototype… THE PROTOTYPE
“Carbon-breathing panels: a regenerative material system for climate-adaptive architecture.”
Abstract In the Anthropocene, the construction industry generates vast quantities of Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW), positioning cities as latent material reservoirs rather than endpoints of consumption. This research investigates CDW not as waste, but as a designed material system. Initial experiments explored rammed CDW composites, revealing strong compressive behavior but critical limitations under lateral … Read more
Ecological Renewal of Ghats Statement “While industrial and sewage pollution receive significant attention in river conservation efforts. Ritual pollution stemming from religious and cultural practices remains largely unaddressed due to its sensitive nature. But it contributes substantially to river degradation and requires culturally respectful solutions.” Sacred Sites Across every continent and culture, rivers have never … Read more
By Team – 41 Commons C40 Competition Brief “The City of Chicago and Chicago Housing Authority area seeking innovative design ideas that will help envision solutions for environmental concerns and prioritise a sustainable, inclusive urban living environment” “The key climate and environmental justice concerns at this site are: Air Quality Flooding Cohesive Community Green Spaces Heat … Read more
