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.

Hygroscopic Timber Vaults

Our project is an artisan market within a cultural centre in Srinagar, India. In our initial analysis of hygroscopic timber, we identified key factors influencing its behaviour. The bilayer structure, consisting of an active and a passive layer, allows panels to deform in response to moisture content changes. We also found a third locking layer … 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

Self-organized city – a product of collaboration

Sustainability and collective intelligence Manifesto diagram illustrating the participatory processes of the city inhabitants, created by the group Each section of this manifesto can be perceived independently. Choose the reading order and create your own narrative. The personalized narratives reflect the methodology to address the complexity of collaborative urban design processes at a macro level. … 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

Natural Materials and Digital Fabrication: A Radical Approach to Mass Utilisation and Standardisation

  Global technology evolves rapidly, unprecedented in human history. This progress significantly enhances lives but at a considerable cost, marked by escalating global temperatures and the looming threat of extinction. Ongoing research aims to mitigate these adverse effects through diverse strategies.The building sector contributes about 47% of global carbon emissions. Architects, integral to this industry, … Read more

Building Physics transcends the theoretical as it steps into the realm of computational design and data driven optimization

With parametric models as its allies, Building Physics simulates and optimizes, offering a glimpse into the future of building design with tools capable of analyzing thermal comfort, lighting, energy consumption, and structural performance.  In the age of circular and environmentally driven approaches, computational design becomes the compass, guiding deep dives into material optimization, environmental impact … Read more

Democratized design to combat climate catastrophe.

As we move further into the 21st century, our chances of averting climate change have all but disappeared. Analysis shows that global temperatures now sit 1.1? above pre-industrial levels and are set to rise to 1.5? by the early 2030s (Jotzo and Howden, 2023). This rapid increase in temperatures has led to loss of land … 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

Predictive Analytics in Urban Development: Assessing Real Estate Viability with AI

INTRODUCTION The development of smart cities has become an integral part of modern urban planning as a result of rapid urbanization and technological advances. This thesis examines the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as how it can revolutionize urban analysis across a wide variety of industries. In particular, I will focus … Read more

GRAPH MACHINE LEARNING TOWARDS ADAPTIVE CITIES: A data-driven approach to sea level rise problematics

Abstract This thesis explores experimental approaches when addressing sea level rise challenges , the impacts of land loss due to sea rise and population growth. It delves into considerations associated with innovative approaches while emphasizing the integration of urban syntax and graph machine learning. Drawing upon case studies and open data, underscoring the importance of … Read more

Spatial.Revelations

Abstract This study delves into the innovative fusion of graph theory with architectural design and planning, facilitated by a structured BIM to Graph workflow. By conceptualizing architectural elements as nodes and their interconnections as edges within a graph, architects gain an adaptable and multifunctional tool for representation, analysis, and strategic planning. The graph’s inherent scalability … Read more

First step towards circular reconstruction. Damage assessment and material mapping of buildings in Ukraine through ground imagery processing.

An apartment building explodes after Russian army tank fire in Mariupol, Ukraine, March 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Intro Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which started on 24.02.2022, is the biggest war in Europe since WWII. It took the lives of dozens of thousands of Ukrainians a brought massive destruction [1] and ecological catastrophes. Some cities are completely erased. A massive piece of land is still occupied. This war and its consequences are … Read more

Superblock BCN

A Multidimensional Study of the Superilla My research starts from observing human behaviour. Often when we face a change in our lives, especially when it wasn’t planned, we feel resistance and it takes time before we accept and embrace it.  As you probably know Barcelona in the last few years lived some changes in its … Read more

Advanced Architectural Guide

Abstract Architecture enthusiasts face a dilemma when planning their travel visits. Either they spend a lot of time and effort researching and planning their routes, or they can rely on mainstream websites and blogs that tend to recommend well-known works, ruling out works with the same architectural interest that have received less media coverage. The … Read more

OptiLight

“Illuminating Spaces, Effortlessly!” I INTRODUCTION “This project utilizes graph machine learning to enhance architectural lighting design. Through GraphSAGE, we classify light sources considering their features and interconnections with architectural components, aiming to streamline the design process and consistently achieve optimal lighting scenarios.” I DESIGN PROCESS I DATA SET ZONES EDGES EDGES I MODEL DEVELOPMENT

Latent Studio

Explorer for new architectural dimensions Latent Studio is a groundbreaking web service that redefines initial-stage modeling for large architecture offices. With the use of a Generative Adversarial Network (3DGAN) and a vast database of voxelized architectural massings, the end resultis an infinite typologies catalogue of intermediate shapes and scapes to explore. Along all steps (dataset, … Read more

WEB GRAPH MACHINE LEARNING

Our project website can be accessed at bit.ly/graphml Introduction Our research focused on hosting a machine learning model on the web that accesses Rhino.Compute. It receives an input of a polyline drawn on a Leaflet.js map by a user to indicate the central corridor spine of a building and returns a graph of that building … Read more

FireFly

Harnessing the power of drone-based photogrammetry and artificial intelligence to create a low-cost urban wildfire diagnostic tool. In recent years, the global community has witnessed a significant upsurge in the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Driven by a combination of climate change, urban expansion, and land-use practices, these fires have not only devastated vast natural … Read more