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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Robotics for Ecological Buildings

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

Ecosystem Services in Lisbon

– 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

Corked-Up

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

Between Ritual and River

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

Large Scale 3D Printing with Bio-Based Materials

Our project for the Large-Scale 3D Printing with Biomaterials workshop focuses on the transition from conventional, high-emission construction to a circular, bio-based architectural model. Utilizing a 6-axis robotic arm, we have developed an acoustic envelope system composed of a cork-based bio-composite sourced from recycled stoppers. The research prioritizes a “File-to-Factory” workflow where computational geometry is … Read more

Casa Tosquella: The Mending of the Commons

Heritage is not memoryHeritage is Production + Community In the dense urban fabric of Sant Gervasi, Casa Tosquella sleeps a Modernista jewel originally conceived as a summer retreat, now stranded in a city grappling with permanent heat. This project explores the tension between heritage preservation and climatic urgency. The proposal views the building not as … 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

The ClimaColour Code

Abstract Environmental conditions are more often than not invisible and something that is felt rather than visually perceivable. The ClimaCode provides our spatial surroundings with their own language that enables them to better communicate with us as humans.  By translating climatic conditions, such as temperature and humidity, into light, the device communicates its climatic ‘mood’ … Read more

Rootscapes

An exploration of root structures and material study 70% of the world’s population lives along coastlines and rivers, out of which, thousands of people get affected yearly due to erosion. However, our marine ecosystems such as mangroves and soils have the capability of storing large amounts of CO2 and provide a barrier amongst erosion.  CAUSES … Read more

Urban Matrix

Abstract Our project, addresses the need for Productive Justice for Self-Sufficiency in Mesquita, a municipality in Rio de Janeiro marked by socio-economic challenges such as food insecurity, water scarcity, infrastructure deficiencies, and a strong dependence on government subsidies. Our strategy transforms residual urban spaces-abandoned plots, unused corners, canal edges-into a Productive Web of interconnected hubs … Read more

Flow – SIGHT: De- coding urban mobility

Introduction Urban traffic congestion is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a global challenge tied to pollution, stress, and wasted time. While cities are turning to AI-driven systems to ease the gridlock, the question remains: Do these technologies actually perform better than traditional methods?Flow – SIGHT is a comparative research project that investigates traffic systems across … 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

Re- Rio Infrastructural Justice

Re-Rio is a vision to bring dignity, connection, and opportunity to the Gradim fishing community in Rio de Janeiro. Faced with poor infrastructure and social neglect, this project reimagines housing and public space through sustainable, affordable, and flexible design. It creates cool, breathable homes, shared learning spaces, and eco-tourism paths that celebrate local culture. By … Read more