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.
The Purpose of AI in the Age of Resource Scarcity Introduction: Redefining the Question The question “What is the purpose of AI in AEC?” often elicits a predictable response focused on speed. For years the industry has viewed Artificial Intelligence primarily as a mechanism for automation. It is seen as a faster way to produce … Read more
The project explores a contemporary reinterpretation of Finnish cabins, combining seasonal water living, public wellness, and boating storage. The core idea is that small modular units — cabins, saunas and workspaces — can aggregate into larger urban and social systems. Helsinki has a harsh Nordic climate, with long winters ranging from –10°C to +25°C, high … Read more
Ingredients Climate Reykjavík’s climate shapes the entire project. The site is exposed to strong, multi-directional winds reaching 27 m/s, with a prevailing direction around 135°. Daylight conditions are equally extreme, shifting from long summer days to very short winter ones. The system therefore needs to adapt, protect, and still create comfortable public spaces. Form Our formal … Read more
Monsoon Nest is a modular housing proposal for Bangkok that responds to monsoon rainfall, flooding, and high-density urban conditions. The project explores adaptable modules, elevated structures, and passive climate strategies to create resilient, community-oriented living environments in a tropical context. The design of Monsoon Nest is informed by four primary parameters: contextual environmental data, parametric … Read more
Design Concept | Horseshoe Crab–Inspired Lattice Structure Inspired by the exoskeleton of horseshoe crabs and the ITECH Research Pavilion 2024, this project explores a biomimetic lattice shell structure supported by discrete legs.A continuous mesh distributes loads efficiently across its surface, transferring forces to the ground through optimized supports.The parametrically generated lattice expresses structural performance, integrating … Read more
Bab al-Luq Reimagined: Computation, Climate, and Cultural Memory This project approaches the Bab al-Luq Market not as a blank surface for formal experimentation, but as a site layered with climatic intelligence and symbolic meaning. Its proposal is rooted in two elements deeply embedded in Cairene architectural and cultural memory: the malqaf and the lotus flower. … Read more
Case Study Site Context The site is located at 46.2330, 6.0556 in Meyrin, Geneva, Switzerland. It includes the Esplanade des Particules, within the CERN campus, and covers an area of 45.000 sqm, surrounded by a urban residential area with low-rise buildings. The primary land uses in the vicinity include grass and allotments. The site’s location … Read more
Toward Net-Positive Architecture MASTER IN ADVANCED COMPUTATION FOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN 2024/2025 Anji, Christina & Will Thesis – Supervisor: Gabriella Rossi We are facing an urgent climate crisis, one that demands architecture to move beyond conventional sustainability toward regenerative, net-positive approaches. Current design practices often struggle to integrate environmental and context-aware analysis seamlessly because they … Read more
ABSTRACT This thesis investigates the relationship between urban development patterns and outdoor thermal comfort, with a focus on Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT), a key factor in calculating the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). While graph-based approaches have long been used in spatial analysis (e.g., space syntax, circulation networks), this research extends the application of graph … Read more
This project introduces a graph-based machine learning system designed to automate furniture placement in apartment layouts. The workflow was developed as part of an architectural design studio and played a key role in generating comfort-driven interior configurations. At its core, the system encodes spatial and functional rules such as placing a sofa near a window … Read more
At the nexus of competing demands architecture has always existed. Every design endeavor aims to balance materialsity with ecological awareness economy with spatial generosity permanence with adaptability and structure with aesthetics. It is uncommon for these multifaceted pressures—structural physical socioeconomic and sustainable—to allow for a one-size-fits-all solution. Rather traditional architectural design frequently necessitates major concessions … Read more
Leveraging Advanced BIM Strategies for Complex Architectural Realization Contextual Framework – Traditional BIM workflows often struggle to accommodate the complex, fluid geometries characteristic of avant-garde architectural designs, creating a gap between conceptual vision and buildable reality. Key Insight – Customized BIM workflows incorporating AI, computational design, and bespoke coding can enable the realization of complex … Read more
In the ever-evolving world of architecture, Hyper A is an exploration into the limits—and freedoms—of structural design. We, the Structure Team, consisting of Joaquin Broquedis and myself, Marco Durand, are excited to present the structural concept that supports not just a building, but a multi-neighborhood urban vision. This blog offers a deeper look into our … Read more
THE ESSENCE OF ENSO Ensō, the Zen circle, represents one of the most fundamental principles in Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. Traditionally drawn in a single, fluid brush stroke, it symbolizes: Complete Circle of Life)Main Unifying Theme: Like the Zen concept of ensō (the circle), the building embodies completeness through continuous cycles and perfect imperfection. Team … Read more
This project was developed as part of the Collaborative Workflows course, which ran in parallel to our main Studio project. In the Studio, we worked in teams to design a Hyper Building—a complex, multi-neighborhood architectural system. As the Structural Team, our responsibility was to design and coordinate the structural system supporting the building. The Collaborative … Read more
Collaborative Workflows and Techniques for Façade Design . We explored both internal and external collaboration strategies with all design teams at HYPER A. Our team focused on three key areas: adaptive façades, energy efficiency, and smart architectural systems. To guide our design process, we established clear performance metrics, including Daylight Factor, Panelization strategies, and Energy … Read more
