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.
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
Bio-Receptive | Interfaces I
Designing Bio-Digital Hybrids for Environmental Intelligence The project aims to addresses 3 key problems, by creating a system that brings together anthropogenic mass and bio-mass, sequesters carbon and purifies the air within it’s immediate context. The project is envisioned as an adaptive system, that can be aligned towards solving different problems through biological and digitally … Read more
Roots & Routes
BIODIVERSE PUBLIC SPACECollaborative Design with Humans and Non-humans The Besòs River in northeastern Spain flows through Catalonia from the Montseny mountains to the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona, covering about 17 kilometers. Once heavily polluted by industrial waste and urban runoff, it has undergone significant environmental restoration, improving its water quality and accessibility for wildlife and … Read more
Optoppen (City above the city )
AIM The housing crisis in Spain stems from rising prices, stagnant construction, and growing demand, leaving many unable to afford housing, highlighting the need for urgent, sustainable solutions. Spain Time line of the Housing crisis Long Term trend Housing crisis AFFORDABLE HOUSING by 2035 Material comparison Homeless people Data Site documentation Typology – I Joint … Read more
BUSINESS INNOVATION
Introduction The global housing crisis highlights the urgent need for affordable, sustainable, and inclusive housing solutions worldwide, Rapid urbanization, rising costs, and unequal access to resources have left millions without adequate housing. A lack of affordable housing options is deepening social inequality in cities across the globe. How Global Housing prices have changed since 2010 … Read more
CLIMATECH
The project envisions a thermal and data hub in Barcelona’s 22@ district, transforming IT infrastructure into a sustainable heat source. Inspired by Roman baths, the design uses underground server racks as modern-day “columns” in a hypocaust system. Waste heat from servers is collected through metallic pipes, directing it to heat floors and supplement the Llevant … Read more
Carbon Based Design
Introduction The course was an intensive, five-day workshop dedicated to calculating the carbon impact and exploring innovative solutions for the upcoming IAAC building. The goal was to present a proposal that could reduce the emissions in 40%. Location The design for the new IAAC building has already been approved and is now awaiting construction. Located … Read more
LivIn
STATE OF THE ART ANALYSIS Using this set of aims, we evaluated various state of the art references, and extracted relevant information.
Solar Symphony
a harmonious integration of natural processes, technological design, and human (dis)comfort. The Location
Decharbonization
From exterior soil remediation to interior acoustics enhancement The goal of this project is to create a non-cementitious geopolymer, using as the main component biochar, an worldwide abundant material, and amplify its qualities to sequester carbon in order to make carbon sink architecture. Through the process of material engineering and testing, it was possible to … Read more
SALVAGED WOOD
WHY USE RECLAIMED WOOD RESEARCH Reclaimed wood is a sustainable and unique material that can be used in almost any project. It offers strength, character, and originality that you cannot find with any other building material. It helps preserve the past while upcycling materials that would otherwise go to waste. TYPE – WOOD-PALLETS Mapping the … Read more
ARBOREALITY | Advancing sustainable urban development through mass timber and vernacular root
Keywords: Mass timber city, Sustainable forest management, smart cities, Vernacular, Local species wood ABSTRACT: The capital city of Nepal- Kathmandu, like many urban cities globally, is undergoing uncontrolled urban expansion, neglecting its natural-based construction heritage, particularly timber. This research advocates for a paradigm shift towards mass timber, particularly multispecies Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), to address environmental … Read more
