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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The Staggered Building

INTRODUCTION The Staggered Building is a high rise building developed with a bottom up approach.Within the design process for the building, we have tackled more or less in depth the following themes: mixed use, vertical circulation, structural design, design for comfort and environmental design. The main tools we have used are galapagos mostrly for optimization, … Read more

BACK TO ZERO

NARRATIVE Back to Zero is a regenerative concept that targets oil refineries and other aging infrastructures that pollute our world. The narrative is inspired from the “skin in the game” concept, and calculates lifetime co2 emissions for high emitting “hosts”, which then becomes a target for that same “host” to sequester through the carbon sequestration … Read more

SEED

Reviving Resources for a Living Future Introduction ‘Seed’ envisions an innovative approach by transforming educational spaces into hubs for urban farming, food education, and community resilience. By merging learning, living, and farming, we aim to create a self-sustaining ecosystem where students and the community collaborate to tackle food scarcity while minimizing resource use. Site Location … Read more

BIOGENESIS

TRANSFORMING WASTE INTO SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL RESOURCES The goal is to convert various types of waste into sustainable resources, establishing a circular economy that enhances environmental benefits by repurposing waste, promoting renewable energy, and encouraging innovation in bioproducts. This site, like many others around the world, holds the memories of a different time. What happens when … Read more

TerraFlux: The Cloud that Rains

Narrative TerraFlux[the cloud that rains]: humanity’s rehearsal for the future, a transhuman data driven system TerraFlux as a Singularity ThresholdThe Technological Singularity marks the moment when artificial intelligence surpasses human cognition, triggering a cascade of rapid, uncontrollable innovation. At this threshold, AI will evolve autonomously, improving itself at an accelerating pace. This transformative leap will … Read more

Aqua Horta

Aqua Horta aims to establish a sustainable aquaponic farm in Vallcarca, focusing on producing fresh, chemical-free, local produce while creating an engaging therapy garden for patients of the neighbouring hospital complex. This controlled ecosystem combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a closed-loop system that minimizes water wastage and incorporates rainwater harvesting to enhance resilience against … Read more

EntoNest

This project seeks to transform La Fira, an industrial zone in Barcelonès, into a sustainable insect farming hub. By embedding insect farming within the existing infrastructure, it will leverage local resources to efficiently produce high-protein insect products. Traditional agriculture faces growing pressures including water scarcity and limited space, especially in urban areas like Barcelona. Insect farming … Read more

MORPHO RESIDENCES

DESIGN STRATEGY & TYPOLOGY The “Morpho” Residences originated from the a top down approach, this means that the algorithm behind it uses predefined sets of rules to create its geometry. The “Morpho” Residences originated from the a top down approach, this means that the algorithm behind it uses predefined sets of rules to create its … Read more

The Living Loop

ABSTRACT This project seeks to transform a plot in Poblenou’s 22@ district into a pioneering model of metabolic co-living and circular urbanism. By leveraging the district’s technological ecosystem and repurposing e-waste from nearby Green Points, the project integrates a localized recycling and up-cycling facility with innovative prefabrication techniques. Modular co-living units, structural frames, and facades … Read more

Fire Sense

Automated Fire compliance assessment tool Fire safety in buildings isn’t just about alarms and sprinklers—it’s about designing spaces that prevent tragedies before they happen. Imagine if architects could assess the fire safety of their designs with just a click, ensuring compliance with global standards during the early stages of construction. Sounds futuristic? Not anymore. In … Read more

SYMBIOTIC SPACES

Climate change has become one of the primary drivers of forced displacement around the world, giving rise to the phenomenon known as climate migration. Here are some examples of statistics in the last year, forcing people to move to other cities and countries. Some of the most relevant examples of this displacement, have been occurred … Read more

Directional Strength: Glulam Components in Force-Responsive Design

This research explores the optimization of glulam in architectural design by aligning material grading and grain orientation with force trajectories. Combining glulam offcuts and higher-grade timber, the study minimizes waste while maximizing structural efficiency. Computational workflows and generative algorithms are used to design force-aligned components for scalable applications. Prototypes demonstrate enhanced performance and sustainability, offering … Read more

EcoNodes

Introduction: Transforming Urban Junctions for a Sustainable Future Urbanization has drastically increased impervious surfaces in cities, leading to environmental challenges such as urban heat islands, stormwater runoff, and reduced access to green spaces. Junctions and intersections, often overlooked, are some of the most impervious and environmentally stressed areas in urban landscapes. This project aims to … Read more

FLOOR 0

This proposal addresses the challenges of real estate valuation and optimization for retail properties by leveraging advanced technological tools and tailored datasets. The project introduces a platform that integrates environmental, market, and demographic data to provide dynamic and data-driven insights for valuation and optimal property usage. The methodology incorporates machine learning, mapping, and regression analysis … Read more