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.
PROBLEM SOLUTION CoolStreets Lab provides scalable, practical micro-scale heat-risk maps that help cities identify where to cool, shade, and protect their most vulnerable areas. COMPETITION BUSINESS MODEL Target Customers Business Model Early Validation Expert Interviews Key Insight Municipality Feedback Unit Economics TEAM FUNDING NEED WHAT THIS COVERS WHY THIS AMOUNT This is the minimum budget … Read more
Our digital fabrication journey unfolds through four experiments that explore how material, geometry, and technology negotiate form. Each project challenges a different fabrication technique: laser cutting, CNC milling, 3D printing, and robotic manufacturing, while asking a deeper question: How does digital logic reshape the language of craft? Laser Cutting Tessellated Lightfield This project explores the … Read more
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
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
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
Imagine a classroom or clinic that doesn’t just shelter us but truly watches out for us. Ubuntu Sense is about letting spaces join the conversation: when noise, heat, or crowding gets too much, small signals lights, moving vents, real-time displays push back, help us notice, and restore comfort.This project is less about tech for tech’s … Read more
Hasan Hirji The Light Reactive Aperture Device – LRAD facade system uses light to control two motorized arms, extending and contracting a taut wire frame. This prototype could offer a number of scalable and modular uses. One of these for instance could be creating a light reactive, repeating facade system that expands light shades when … Read more
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
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
All seats in public areas are typically uniform in height; however, individuals differ in stature. When a seat is elevated, a child may find it challenging to access, whereas a low seat could cause discomfort for a taller individual. The optimal proportion is that the chair’s seat height should be approximately 25% of your total … Read more
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
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
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
Rainwater Harvester The project proposes a regenerative infrastructure for runoff water collection, treatment, and reuse within the built environment. Conceived as a responsive system embedded in architecture, it seeks to transform excess rainwater often perceived as waste into an active resource within a closed ecological loop. During episodes of heavy rainfall, the system captures surface … Read more
In today’s collaborative work environments, open and shared workspaces have become the norm. Yet while they promote connection and creativity, they also introduce a significant challenge: noise. This project seeks to address the problem of excessive noise in shared workspaces while maintaining flexibility and openness. The Concept – The project is inspired by the shared … Read more
Concept What if our façades could react to sunlight? This project explores how architecture can respond to changing light conditions through simple automation. Using Arduino, it translates light intensity into movement, mimicking the adaptive behavior of a brise-soleil, and highlighting how design can respond to environmental change. REFERENCES – BRISE SOLEIL Schematics The Arduino code … Read more
