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.

Neurons two ways: the evolution of human-AI interactions and cyborgization of society

Our study aims to explore the history and impact of artificial intelligence on interactions of young people, examining how integrating AI technologies into everyday life influences self-perception and interpersonal interactions, ultimately transforming societal structures and relationships. The pervasive presence of AI in the lives of young people is reshaping social norms and identities, blurring the … Read more

Harnessing connected brains towards a more balanced environment

Between groupthink and individualitythe conflicting human impulses toward civilisation and social organization”(William Golding, The Lord of the flies, 1954) -How does collective design ensure/produce better environments?-How collective intelligence can affect design decisions?-How top-down and bottom- up projects are implemented?–Open data vs privacy | Participatory vs autonomy | Crowdsourcing / Crowdfuding Introduction To what extent collective … 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

Metaphors of Transformation: Shaping Sustainable Architectural Paradigms in the Urban Era

Introduction In the face of intensifying urbanization and the climate crisis, how can a paradigm shift in architecture, guided by the principles of building metabolism theory, offer a sustainable and regenerative solution to address the challenges of our rapidly evolving urban environments? Abstract In an era of intense urbanization there is an imperative need for … 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

Reversing Ecosystem Degradation

MaCAD 23/24 // ACESD Theory Existing State of Urban Design In order to understand how to strive for successful ecological design practices, designers must first understand the problems that currently exist in the process of urban design. The current state of design tends to create distinct enclosures between both natural ecosystems and humans, with the … Read more

An Ode to Air

Keep the water out! It seems as though this is the first shard of wisdom one is exposed to when studying Architecture. I remember coming across this motto of sorts for the first time in a class on detailing; my professor seemed almost obsessed by the presence of water and its surreptitious ability to undo … Read more

Commercial 3D printing in concrete

Theory of Structural Materials: Commercial 3D printing in concrete Faculty: Prof Jane Burry Faculty Co-presenter: Dr Sascha Bohnenberger Thesis Technological innovation has always been an important part in the advancement of architecture, allowing new tools to solve current problems in the design industry. The 20th century showed us the great mechanical properties that concrete is … 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

Mission Critical Materials

If all architects and engineers saw the development of our projects as the aerospace industry does, we would begin to see many projects incredibly optimized for their use in structural, environmental, etc. Terms. In recent years we have experienced an increase in space exploration. Because technology has become more democratized, more simulations and experiments can … Read more

Vision of Alliesthesia

Definition The link between thermal pleasure and thermal acceptability is referred to as alliesthesia. It implies that adaptability, asymmetries, and transient conditions are among the subjective variables that affect people’s perceptions of thermal comfort in addition to objective parameters like temperature, humidity, and air velocity. The design and assessment of thermal comfort in buildings and … Read more

SOUND ENERGY THEORY

As the world continues to look for alternatives of sources to feed its insatiable appetite for energy while reducing reliance on fossil fuels, a new source may lie in an unexpected place: the Sounds around us. Investigations into Sound Energy have been ongoing for many years, but the use of sound as a Source of … Read more

Heat & Light

particle trace visualization of wind patterns around a building

Wind Effects on Buildings With this blog post we would like to hit on a sample from the multitudes of complex factors affecting the built environment in an urban context. These factors will aid or inhibit a designer’s ability to utilize wind to provide a better internal climate for the users of our buildings. One … Read more

Occupant Behavior Simulation in Building Energy Conservation: Methodological Summary and Workflow Review.

Actually, there is often a significant discrepancy between the designed and the real total energy use in buildings. The reasons of this gap are generally poorly understood and largely have more to do with the role of human behavior than the building design. Human always interact with architecture in their daily life: opening/closing windows, turning … Read more

SCALE MATTER

Structural Materials Is the scale of the projects in the experimentation on computational design fabrication an obstacle or an opportunity?  Since architects started to shed their skin on the conventional way in practice and caught the digital era, the abundance of application of digital design on the realization became joyful for the audience. Mario Carpo … Read more

IS COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN THE RENAISSANCE OF THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS ?

The last 10-15 years of development in computers and software have given most engineers and architects the capacity to self-resolve every kind of problem with complex structural forming in a short amount of time.                                                                         This has allowed them to break the calculability paradigm. Where what was not able to be calculated, or even … Read more