During the second year of the Master in Advanced Architecture + Thesis Project (MAA02), students have the unique opportunity to work for a period of 1 year on an Individual Thesis Project, focused on the development of a research or pilot project based on the student’s interest, and the learnings of the first year. IAAC supports the student in selecting their Thesis Project topic in order to better orient them according to their future career interests and opportunities. Each student, according to their specific topic, is assigned one or more Thesis Advisors that follow the development of the work throughout the year.
In parallel to the development of the Individual Thesis Project, the second year of the MAA02 offers a series of seminars enhancing the theoretical, practical and computational skills of the students.
CONCEPT Creating a dynamic relationship between the building and its environment A responsive façade design inspired by the concept of living architecture The geometric logic and panel behavior were first modeled in Grasshopper, where the movement angles and facade modules were tested digitally. Then, through Arduino’s control, this virtual logic was physically prototyped turning environmental … Read more
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
“What if you could speak your design ideas and watch them transform into complete parametric scripts in real-time?”
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
AQUA.NEST: An AI-Powered Decision Support Toolbox for Adaptive Urban Design Using Nature-Based Solutions in Flood-Exposed Coastal Cities Coastal urban flooding is emerging as one of the most urgent climate challenges of our time. Without strong adaptation, annual flood damages could reach €930 billion globally by 2050, even with improved infrastructure (OECD, 2020). Rising sea levels and … Read more
Analog End Effector Explorations Mechanical End Effector Explorations Final Robotic Jig Design | Facade Iterations
Contemporary architecture often prioritizes humans at the expense of ecological balance, distancing us from nature and other species. This thesis envisions a future where buildings evolve into living, adaptive frameworks that foster interspecies mutualism. By integrating third-order cybernetics, machine learning, and AI, architecture can become a mindful mediator, enhancing relationships between humans and other species. … Read more
AR/VR enhances the connection between architecture and clients by visualizing rooftop pod safety, insulation, and climate adaptability. It provides immersive experiences, making designs more tangible, understandable, and acceptable for real-world living solutions. AR/VR allows clients to explore how rooftop pods are made, the materials used, and required tools. It offers immersive mockups, enhancing understanding, trust, … Read more
Context How? Where? Workflow Outputs
Abstract Parametric design tools like Grasshopper empower architects to create adaptive and efficient spatial layouts, but their complexity presents a barrier for non-experts. This research proposes a community-driven design tool that leverages Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to learn from expert-authored Grasshopper scripts, enabling prompt-based parametric layout design. By encoding design … Read more
Introduction Urban areas are increasingly becoming impermeable, exacerbating environmental challenges such as elevated temperatures, flooding, and pollution. EcoNodes is designed to empower policymakers with a sophisticated tool for dynamically assessing and adapting urban environments towards increased sustainability by pinpointing and prioritizing areas for green interventions. Impervious Surfaces and Urban Heat Islands Cities today face the … Read more
Flood Resilience Toolbox: AI-Powered Solutions for a Sustainable Future Flooding is the most frequent and costly natural disaster worldwide, with annual damages exceeding €38 billion. By 2050, this figure could rise to $64 billion, impacting millions of lives. Coastal cities, particularly in Southeast Asia, are at high risk due to rapid urbanization, sinking land, and … Read more
Contemporary architecture often prioritizes humans at the expense of ecological balance, distancing us from nature and other species. This thesis envisions a future where buildings evolve into living, adaptive frameworks that foster interspecies mutualism. By integrating third-order cybernetics, machine learning, and AI, architecture can become a mindful mediator, enhancing relationships between humans and other species. … Read more
Through Human-Centered Spaces and Experiences In a world that is rapidly urbanizing itself, architecture holds immense power to shape the lives of individuals and how they experience the public space. Yet, architectural design often neglects the various needs of the community it is supposed to serve, leading to alienation and exclusion, particularly for marginalized populations. … Read more
