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.
Our Project is a Cultural center Located in Dresden (East Germany) on a small Plot trapped with close buildings from the northern and southern sides. The goal of this Sustainable study is to analyze the design form and, the envelope and to optimize its building performance and Urban Impact. Yearly Climate Analysis General Climate Overview: … Read more
The Makoko settlement in Lagos, Nigeria is a community that evolved from a fishing village and faces issues of inequality, housing shortages, informal settlements, gentrification, and inadequate infrastructure. The effects of climate change are likely to exacerbate these challenges, with more frequent natural disasters and rising sea levels affecting already vulnerable communities. Creating more equitable … Read more
The parametric exploration started from the structural node. A column connected to an inclined beam. Then, it was mirrored around a central axis generating an umbrella structural node. We explored multiple design expressions to arrive at the final version, the one marked with red. This structural node can be applied to a variety of given … Read more
Architectural Concept Located in the northern part of Italy in Trento, famous for timber construction, our site is perched atop a cliff at the city’s highest point. We initiated our project by focusing on tree construction, leveraging the terrain to our advantage. Structural Design Explorations In our quest for the optimal structural form, we explored … Read more
Introduction Nestled in the heart of Quito, Ecuador, this architectural Ecuador seeks to harness the sustainability and versatility of bamboo to create an innovative 2700 m² educational space. Encompassing vibrant classrooms, communal areas, and serene green spaces, the structure is both a sanctuary of knowledge and a beacon of ecological design. It invites students and … Read more
Our project is of a timber grid shell. It is a structure with the shape and strength of a double-curvature shell and uses timber instead of being a solid surface. The project is located in Samanes Park in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The typology was understood initially by looking at different boundary surfaces and support systems. Different … Read more
Introduction The site we are investigating is an abandoned Railway Network Factory and is located at the next to Makkasan Airport Link Station in Bangkok, Thailand. Initited as part of studio, we are looking at utilising a timber lattice structure to host programmes (i.e open market, civic gathering area) within the spaces as a cultural … Read more
In the dynamic field of structural design, efficiency has emerged as a central theme driving innovative solutions. Our recent venture in the structural design and optimization seminar delves into the intriguing concept of minimal surfaces applied to timber gridshell structures. But what exactly do we mean by minimal surfaces? Defined as shapes that require the … Read more
Tahsis BC Canada Our project is located in Tahsis, BC a former timber milling town that has become dilapidated since the closure of the sawmill in 2001, with a population decline of 90%. We aim to reinvigorate the town by providing access for tourism, attracted by the wildlife that has returned to the inlet since … Read more
Nestled within the crater of Agnano in Naples, Italy, this museum lies at the base of a dormant volcano. Spanning multiple floors, the collection unfolds the captivating narrative of the native species of Naples. Our project germinates from three distinct mathematical equations: A cartesian equation that produces a Clebsch diagonal cubic surface, a parametric equation … Read more
Our concept seeks to guide people through a museum of extinctions, from ancient archaea, through the dinosaurs to the devastation of the anthropocene. Mimicking a cave, the journey elicits mythic tales of travelling to the underworld. A glass walkway guides visitors over the exhibits of fossils and taxidermied specimens. Angular forms reflect the violence of … Read more
From historical times, dendriforms have been used as architectural inspiration earlier they were just used for bio replication ( i.e just for aesthetics ) but soon they were used as a prototype of biomimicry. Our study was based on one of such examples – the World of Volvo ( Image 1) where the biomechanics principles … Read more
Introduction Bamboo is considered one of the oldest materials used in construction, it has been widely used throughout history by many civilizations. Naturally growing in tropical regions such as South America, Asia and Africa. In this proposal, we explore the potential of utilizing bamboo in a modular manner to create a social housing in the … Read more
MaCAD 23/24 // ACESD Digital Tools for Structural Optimization Architectural System The Timber Ruled Surface system gives designers the ability to generate a structured yet organic form that adapts to the unique social and environmental context of the site. Use cases include multi-use additions to the empty concrete façades of large residential complexes, as well … Read more
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
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
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 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
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
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
Group 09 – Open source architecture – By Yichen Lu , Hande Karata? , Naveen Kumar , Manolya Nielsen How can we promote the utilisation of the environment for the community, in an open-source manner, to advance sustainable design? In order to dwell into our research question, we must first define what it is that … Read more
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
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
