Within the current global context of rapid change, integrated with the potentials of digital technologies, IAAC’s Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA) is committed to the generation of new ideas and applications for Urban Design, Self Sufficiency, Digital Manufacturing Techniques and Advanced Interaction.
In this context IAAC works with a multidisciplinary approach, facing the challenges posed by our environment and the future development of cities, architecture and buildings, through a virtuous combination of technology, biology, computational design, digital and robotic fabrication, pushing innovation beyond the boundaries of a more traditional architectural approach.
Computational Design Seminar Crystalline Aperture Project Description The Crystalline Aperture Concept: A parametric infill design that reimagines the flat curtain wall as a volumetric “deep skin.” Logic: The form is generated through a vertex displacement algorithm, where a 2D grid is tessellated into 3D pyramidal modules. Impact: This folded geometry functions as a structural double-skin system. … Read more
Referential work’s logics Our referential framework is the Kring Kumho Culture Complex in Seoul by Unsangdong Architects, a building defined by large circular recesses that function as urban windows. The design exploits these spaces to break the flat exterior, as ‘Kring’ means ‘Circle’ in Dutch. We developed a concentric propagation approach to translate this logic … Read more
PROJECT BRIEF Site Location: Placa del Sol, Gracia, Barcelona La Cortina introduces a nonstandard, dynamic geometry from the Fiesta Mayor de Gracia.. Conceptually, La Cortina translates the ephemeral dynamics of textile drapery into a permanent, structural shell. Its form is defined by computationally derived continuous surfaces that generate a recursive, flowing spatial volume. The exterior … Read more
COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN I SEMINAR25/26 MAA01 (Level2) Abstract: Computational Weaving. This project, developed for the Computational Design I Seminar, explores the algorithmic generation of complex, recursive geometries through the logic of “Digital Craft”. Inspired by the material constraints of steam-bent timber, the design creates a “volumetric weave” rather than a simple surface. The computational workflow is … Read more
Computational Design Seminar Studio Ardete’s Headquarters Image credits: Studio Ardete’s Headquarters in Mohali, India by Parametric Architecture Facade Responds to Light, Wind, and Motion, with its ever-evolving appearance. At the heart of the design is MetaSequin, a modular, reflective parametric façade element. These circular sequins interact with natural forces like wind and light, creating a … Read more
Plaça de Sant Felip Neri The pavilion is a biomimetic structure, drawing inspiration from natural webs. Its design utilizes an interactive interface of touch and light, on touching the pavilion, the entire part of pavilion lits up with various rainbow colors .This creates a dynamic and interactive environment, where the colorful light patterns shift and … Read more
A Computationally Designed Kinetic Facade Kinetic Facade Iterations Iteration 01 — Unfolding Variation:This initial exploration focused on the gradual unfolding of façade panels, driven by parametric rotations and hinge-based transformations. The system emphasized linear motion and directional opening, establishing a foundational logic for movement and constructability. Iteration 02 — Warping Variation:The second iteration introduced surface … Read more
A dynamic forest pavilion. Plaça del Pi, Barcelona, Spain Design Concept Form Finding Psuedo Code The script relies on the organic undulation of sine and catenary curves to reflect the organic nature of our inspiration as well as provide a real-life simulation of the suspended fabric forming the canopy reacting to gravitational logic in both … Read more
CREATIVE PROCESS The façade is conceived as a textile surface caught mid-movement, as if a piece of fabric were lifted by the wind and suspended in time. Waves, folds, and subtle curvature translate the softness of cloth into a controlled architectural geometry. This fluid motion becomes the organizing logic of the elevation, producing a rhythm … Read more
*** “Is there a perception of transparency in digital societies which masks a more intrusive form of control than disciplinary institutions ever achieved?” CHARACTERS Professor Bratton Peluza Lucia Vela Minister Mouffe Arin Reporter Nox – FIRST ACT – Scene 1: The Ambush at the Café Door Place de la République, early evening.A rally forms under … Read more
In today’s architectural landscape, digital fabrication has significantly expanded the way we design and construct building elements—offering unprecedented accuracy, efficiency, and formal freedom. Techniques such as laser cutting, CNC milling, 3D printing, and robotic manufacturing each bring distinct advantages in terms of material behavior, geometric complexity, and performance potential. RE:CELL Concept The Re:Cell is a … 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
Digital fabrication enables designers to explore geometries that go beyond traditional construction constraints. The exercise focuses on translating complex geometries into constructible systems that integrate material behaviour, joinery logic, and mass customisation. Each technique allows experimentation with unique fabrication constraints, informing the evolution of the vertical element design. The outputs serve as material and geometric … Read more
THE W-E SERIES WALL-E 3D PRINTING DESIGN INSPIRATION OBJECTIVE To create a modular vertical element that explores the capabilities of 3D printing and is simultaneously architecturally attractive, is structurally strong whilst using minimal material. DESIGN OPTIONS FINAL DESIGN CONCEPT By blending elements from previous prototypes, the final piece combines 2D and 3D forms to exploit … Read more
Architecture is entering a moment where the boundaries between design, technology, and material production are dissolving. As cities demand faster construction, customized spaces, and environmentally intelligent solutions, traditional methods alone no longer match the pace or precision required. Digital fabrication has emerged not just as a complementary tool, but as a transformative force reshaping how … Read more
This term’s digital fabrication explorations investigated the expressive and technical potential of multiple fabrication methods laser cutting, CNC milling, robotic clay extrusion, and 3D printing. While each technique demanded a different workflow and material logic, a common thread emerged: the use of material duality to create depth, contrast, and spatial effect. By combining two materials … Read more
