The MaCAD is a unique online programme training a new generation of architects, engineers and designers ready to develop skills into the latest softwares, computational tools, BIM technologies and AI towards innovation for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.

Timber Lattice System – A Tale of Cairo’s Rooftops

This research aims to explore the application of timber lattice systems on roofs in Cairo, Egypt. Before delving into the project itself, a thorough review of relevant references was essential for a better understanding of the system. The building analyzed was the Sunny Hills Cake Shop, designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates. Characterized by a … Read more

Modular Bamboo

Cusco Social Housing I Peru Bamboo, a fast-growing and renewable material, is often used in various construction applications due to its strength, durability, and sustainability. In a modular context, we are especially interested in creating a multiple-floor building with stacked bamboo structure. We focus on creating a building system which can be prefabricated and assembled … Read more

Hygroscopic Vaults

In the ever-evolving landscape of architectural innovation, the exploration of materials and construction techniques plays a pivotal role in shaping sustainable and efficient structures. This presentation delves into the fascinating realm of hygroscopic vaults, examining the transformative potential of wood in response to varying moisture content. Through an in-depth analysis of the hygroscopic behavior of … Read more

Minimal Surface Timber Gridshell – Studio

Building Typology Our project focuses on exploring the opportunities and limitations when designing a timber gridshell system with a minimal surface roof structure. Minimal surfaces have a long history in mathematics and architecture, most notably Frei Otto and the infamous soap film experiments. Inspired by Otto’s Munich Olympic Stadium, we were interested to understand how … Read more

Environmental Analysis for Kungsträdgården, Stockholm

Faculty: Angelos Chronis, Aris Vartholomaios, Alex Christodoulou, Ekaterina Vititneva, Lenka Kabosova, Maria Papadimitraki Parameters Location: Stockholm, Sweden (59°19’53.8″N 18°04’16.6″E)Building Typology: Residential 1.SUN HOURS, SOLAR RADIATION, VISUALIZATION a. Incident Radiation In alternative A, the two building masses reduce the overall exposure to solar radiation since the higher block provides substantial shading to the longer façades of … Read more

Environmental Analysis for the Design of Commercial Tower, London

The site resides within London’s densely urban landscape, surrounded by skyscrapers and high-rise structures. The analysis of London’s environment reveals it as a temperate maritime climate, experiencing four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. A study of the sun path highlights extended sun hours in Spring and Summer, diminishing in Autumn and Winter, affecting … Read more

Climate-Responsive Design in Boulder, CO

Context The city of Boulder, CO is populated by low-rise buildings and is known for a cold, dry climate given its high altitude and proximity to the Rocky Mountains. The investigated project involved selecting parameters that could respond to these characteristics and improve both outdoor and indoor comfort. The proposed structure is a 450 m2 … Read more

Ecological Design: Towards A Utopian or Dystopian Future

Ecological designs mimic nature, aiming to produce systems that generate no waste and positively impact the environment. We will consider the opposite ends of an ideal civilization: a utopian and dystopian world. Utopian: A future when there is a balance between satisfying living creatures (Humans, animals, and plants) needs in a space/building through an efficient … Read more

Symbiotic Metabolism

Problem Statement Modern buildings are fortresses holding nature at bay, reflecting Dualist philosophies separating humans from nature. Our current Anthropocentric notion of “nature” as something “out there” and separate from culture has created a metabolic rift1 within our urban and architectural landscapes, obscuring the ravaging of the earth. Resources are shipped from across the globe, … Read more

Wildlife Museum

life Through a morphological analysis, the site vividly portrayed its lines, structure and life giving me a clear direction of how i can delicately land on it with a sustainable life museum. The existing context made me aware that the structure should occupy a minimal area on ground level in order to preserve exisiting natural … Read more

A Reflection on Tools for Environmental Analysis

The aim of this blogpost is to summarize the tasks and tools practiced during the course of the S1 Seminar: Digital Tools for Environmental Analysis and reflect on the overall learnings, advantages and disadvantages of each. During the course of the semester, I have explore tools for analysis and optimization of elements related to sun, … Read more

RE:EDU: architecture for emergency

As a target country for  our project we selected Ukraine, the biggest European country that is located in the eastern part. Ukraine has 1000 years of history, during which it has been fighting for freedom and identity. In 2013 in Kyiv students started the protest, which evolved into the revolution of dignity, after the president … Read more

Climate Canopy

A new mobility hub for Green square station, Sydney, Australia Climate Canopy is a project about improving the qualities of Green Square station in Sydney, Australia. The Climate Canopy is an open-air timber grid shell creates an urban landmark by framing a new entrance to the station, without interfering with movement and wayfinding. The canopy … Read more

Environmental Responsive School

Introduction  As my final submission, I decided to create an environmental school in response to the urban environment. A project that harnesses the mass of the building in a way to enhance spaces for a variety of purposes is the idea behind the design.  As a starting point for architectural massing, very basic elements are … Read more

A Test Model for Environmental Design

Introduction Professor Ivan Sutherland at the University of Utah supervised several doctoral students in the 1970’s and 1980’s who later created many of the biggest leaps in computer graphics. These include Ed Catmull who founded Pixar and developed Catmull-Clark Subdivision, Alan Kay who worked on the first graphical user interfaces and the first laptop, Jim … Read more

Material Ecology

Introduction Neri Oxman has described Material Ecology as being at the intersection of Computation Design, Additive Manufacturing, Materials Engineering and Synthetic Biology.  It is more than simple biomimicry as the process is collaborative in nature. Her lab focuses on the symbiosis of microorganisms, our bodies, our products and even our buildings. In order to better … Read more

Anguis

WILDLIFE MUSEUM FOR AGNANO CRATOR, NAPLES, ITALY This new wildlife museum has a main purpose to raise awareness about wild animal species extinction. The site is inside the picturesque Agnano crater in Naples, Italy. The crater mostly forest with a lake at the base and is used today as a place of recreation and hiking. … Read more

Twisting into Shape

What do you get if you combine an umbrella with a funnel? A Fumbrella of course! Combining the idea of using an umbrella coupled with a water collecting funnel to create a Fumbrella. This new urban infrastructure is parametric in that it opens and closes according to both solar radiation and rainfall. It is well … Read more

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS FOR BENGALURU

LOCATION : BENGALURU, INDIAKOPPEAN CLIMATE : Aw (TROPICAL WET & DRY CLIMATE) CLIMATE ANALYSIS Bengaluru has become hotter than it used to be 2 decades ago. Now we see temperature reaching above 40*c. The temperature starts getting hotter from March and reaches its peak in mid April and once the SW monsoon hits the coast … Read more

ACESD Theory

Topic : Heat & Light [Course Guest presenter: Mehmoush Latifi, ‘Heat/Light’] A school building in Damascus – Lycee Charles de Gaulle triggers my in interests in the subject of Solar Chimney, and further links to the Theory Topic of ‘Heat and Light’ Case Study : Lycee Charles de Gaulle Damascus Introductions The Lycée Français Charles … Read more