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.

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New York City Environmental Analysis

Spring Summer Autumn Winter Figure 1.1: New York Seasonal Change New York City experiences distinct seasonal changes that shape its environment and urban character. In spring, the city transitions to milder conditions, with unpredictable weather patterns and renewed greenery. Summer brings intense heat and humidity, influencing activity patterns and urban energy demands. Fall is marked … Read more

Environmental Analysis – Austin, Texas

Austin has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa), characterized by hot summers and mild winters.  The city experiences long, hot summers and short, mild winters, with brief transitions in spring and fall. The climate data used in this analysis was obtained from: – Location: Austin-Mueller Municipal Airport, Texas, USA – Weather Station ID: 722540 … Read more

Richmond, VA, USA Climate Analysis

This analysis focuses on Richmond, Virginia in the United States of America. Weather conditions in Richmond are typical of a mid-latitude location. We’ve explored the environmental conditions that shape building design and urban planning in this mid-latitude location. Our focus is on a vacant lot at 701 East Canal Street, in downtown Richmond. This property … Read more

Climate-driven Design – Solar Architecture

LOCATION General Characteristics of this climate Stockholm’s climate falls under the humid continental climate (Dfb) category according to the Köppen-Geiger classification. This means it experiences cold, snowy winters and mild to warm summers.  Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, though summers tend to have more rainfall. Winter temperatures in Stockholm can drop below freezing, while … Read more

Environmental Analysis of Madrid

Part 1: Climate Analysis Madrid falls into two koppen climate classification zones: a cold semi-arid climate (classification BSk) in the metropolitan area, and a mediterranean, dry-summer climate in the west half of the city (classification Csa). The main characteristics of this climate are hot, dry summers and cold, humid winters. There are also large temperate … Read more

PRIZORB  – Complex Forming

Brief Create a concept for a virtual reality (VR) prison where inmates serve sentences within a modified VR simulation of Alcatraz Island, located in California. Your design reimagines the island prison typology, a longstanding method of separating prisoners into a distinct, isolated space. Although traditional prisons emphasized isolation from society, modern incarceration aims to foster … Read more

C.O.M.F.O.R.T

City-Oriented Modeling for Observational Radiative Thermal comfort CONCEPT The idea behind C.O.M.F.O.R.T is to provide an effective tool for architects and urban planners to design cooler and more sustainable cities, leveraging the power of machine learning and AI technologies. FACTORS OF IMPACT To create COMFORT we had to study the different factors of impact which … Read more

DF Predictor (cGAN)

DF Predictor aims to revolutionize daylight prediction in architectural design by implementing the conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) Pix2Pix to predict daylight factors, motivated by the need to improve efficiency and accuracy in daylight analysis. Daylight factor analysis, an integral part of the early design stages and mandated by building codes, is typically lengthy due … Read more

ISO-COMFORT: A Generative AI Approach for Comfort in Sustainable Style

Blending Isometric Models with AI-Driven Design

GENERATIVE AI Abstract In today’s evolving architectural landscape, the convergence of technology and design offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance human well-being and promote sustainability. At the forefront of this innovation is ISO-COMFORT, a pioneering project that leverages Generative AI to create isometric models emphasizing thermal comfort and sustainable design. This blog post explores the development … Read more

Leibniz Reimagined A Journey Through Time and Thought.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Bridging 17th Century Philosophy with Today’s AI and Technology. About Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was a German polymath active as a mathematician, philosopher, scientist and diplomat who invented calculus in addition to many other branches of mathematics and statistics. Wikipedia Born: July 1, 1646, Leipzig, Germany Died: November 14, 1716 (age 70 years), Hanover, Germany Influenced by: René Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, Aristotle, Plato · See more Influenced: Immanuel Kant, Georg … Read more

Planetary Intelligence Manifesto

AI in the Anthropocene The architectural profession is currently at a critical juncture, faced with the dual challenges of advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and the escalating climate crisis. Many architects harbour fears of obsolescence as AI’s capabilities expand, potentially automating tasks that traditionally require human expertise. This concern is not unfounded, as AI-driven tools increasingly … Read more

SolarAlign

Embarking on a journey through the dynamic realm of computational design, we’ve delved into the exciting world of interactive web application development. Along the way, we’ve not only grasped the tools and processes but also unraveled the core concepts driving innovation in this space. From harnessing the power of data and geometry on the web … Read more

GrBuff – Giving Green Spaces Back

Initial Sketch Idea To develop an interface which allows users to visualize the co-relation of green spaces within the buffer zones of building design. The distance of the building from the boundaries will determine how high the built plot will be and it will suggest the number of floors and wall height dynamically on the … Read more

DeCARB

Introducing DeCARB: An easy-to-use tool that calculates Embodied Carbon, End-of-Life Carbon, and Total Cost for any rectangular massing geometry. Quantifying emissions from material extraction to disposal can guide architects and engineers in selecting low-carbon materials and methods early in the design process. With a focus on reducing environmental impact and aligning with green building standards, … Read more

THERMO CHILL – A WEB APPLICATION

INTRODUCTION As we all know that Global warming, caused by the greenhouse effect, is leading to an increase in Earth’s average temperature and the rise in sea levels. Due to the increase in temperature, we are succumbed to high indoor discomfort. Which can be correct by different air conditioning systems. This leads to the increase … Read more

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