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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BANANA MATTERS

Abstract Banana Matters transforms discarded banana pseudostem biomass into carbon-sequestering architectural panels through material research, bio-based binders, and digital fabrication. The project addresses the untapped potential of nearly 525 million tonnes of annual banana waste by developing lightweight, low-carbon composites with acoustic and structural applications. Through iterative material experimentation, heat-press manufacturing, and mechanical and physical … Read more

Living Fibers: Robotic Needle Felting as an Architectural Construction System

MAA/MRAC Studio Term 3 — 2025/2026 | Robotics for Ecological Building When you think of wool, construction probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But wool has a longer history as a building material than most people realize, and it carries inherent properties that make it genuinely compelling for architecture: moisture regulation, thermal … Read more

Optimized Reciprocal

Reciprocal Frames Reciprocal frames are self-supporting 3D structures. They consist of three or more sloping beams arranged in a closed circuit. Each beam rests on the preceding one and supports the next, creating a completely interdependent grid. This design eliminates the need for a central pillar or column. Traditionally these frames were made of wood, … Read more

MORPHOLOGIES OF SHADE: A Computationally Optimized Pavilion for the IAAC Rooftop.

Abstract Morphologies of Shade explores the design of a computationally optimized pavilion for the rooftop of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in Barcelona. The project responds to the environmental challenges of excessive solar exposure and strong wind conditions that limit the usability of the rooftop throughout the day. Inspired by natural canopy … Read more

Timber Reuse Stacking Typologies

Using AI scripting in grasshopper to create and analyse reused timber stacked systems Two methods of creating panels made from an existing stocklist of reclaimed Timber using AI scripting integrated into Grasshopper. The first method explores the simple end to end stacking, by taking a random piece from the stock and placing it in a … Read more

PORTAL FRAME

Introduction — Intent Building a portal frame from reclaimed timber, focusing on splicing and shuffling techniques to adapt irregular pieces into a stable, structurally working system. Material Intelligence — Understanding the Stock Structural Logic — Portal Frame System Methodology — Overlay & Splice Strategy FABRICATION — Digital vs Physical The workflow was driven by existing … Read more

SKYLOFT

MODULAR PODS VERTICAL EXTENSIONS To address urgent urban housing needs, this thesis explores modular rooftop pods using Digital Twins, CNC fabrication, kerfing, and timber joinery—enabling precise, low-waste, minimum tool required for assembling and sustainable expansion of aging urban buildings through scalable and prefabricated Modular systems Why Vertical extension required ? What’s the purpose of the … Read more

TÀN 58

TÀN 58 is a seven-story student housing project located in Poblenou, an industrial district of Barcelona. The building’s form and orientation were shaped through computational studies that optimized daylight access and solar radiation across the site. This analysis led to the introduction of two central atriums, which act as vertical heat sources and organizational cores—spaces … Read more

SecondMatter

SecondMatter upcycles 85% construction and demolition waste into low-impact building units using a hybrid ramming-jamming technique. With 9 MPa strength and 7% lower carbon emissions, it forms walls, panels, and columns. Integrated into municipal waste systems, its compaction method adapts to unpredictable debris, turning urban waste into resilient, structural architecture within existing material cycles. What if … Read more

Tierra Tower

Tierra Tower is a student housing project shaped by climate and material. Using earth sourced directly from site, it creates a vertical sequence of spaces that adapt to seasonal change and personal comfort. Thick earthen walls absorb and release heat, guiding movement through warm and cool zones. The building responds passively—through texture, temperature, and atmosphere—to … Read more

KINXA | The future built with tradition

Vernacular architecture has steadily lost relevance in contemporary practice. Industrialized construction methods, aesthetic shifts, and the pursuit of perceived reliability in materials like concrete and steel have overshadowed traditional techniques. However, these modern materials often come at a high environmental cost. Among the overlooked methods is quincha, a construction technique common in Latin America. It … Read more

Synthome

This object functions as a sculptural lamp, where the complex lattice of organic openings serves both an aesthetic and functional role. The irregular perforations allow light to escape in unpredictable and dynamic patterns, casting intricate shadows and gradients onto surrounding surfaces. As light passes through the varying densities and scales of the geometry, it diffuses … Read more

Zenithra 2.0

Intro To Site Sagrada Família The Sagrada Família is one of the most iconic architectural works in the world, an emblem of Barcelona and a masterpiece of the visionary architect Antoni Gaudí.The basilica was meant as an atonement temple: a sacred offering for the sins of modernity and a monument to Catholic devotion.Gaudi embraced a … Read more