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.
Introduction — Where My Interest Began My interest in AI and its application in the AEC industry started before this course. During the IAAC GSS, I worked on a study in Bogotá using GIS and image‑recognition tools to map sensory criticality in care-focused urban zones. What surprised me most was how accessible the process was. … Read more
At the beginning of the semester, we were asked to reflect on the role of artificial intelligence in the AEC industry. Looking back, my answer then came from a much more limited understanding. Revisiting the question now, after a series of lectures, I realize that what has changed is not so much how much I … 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
Semiocity — Semiotic-Aware Urban Image Generation This is part of the Academic work at Iaac Barcelona for the Master’s Program im Advance Computation for Architecture and Design 2024-2025 Repository for the Master Thesis “Semiocity: Generating Semiotic‑Enriched 3D Models from Text Inputs” Degree: Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture and Design (MaCAD), Institute for Advanced Architecture of … Read more
A Multi-Agent, Socratic, Cognitive-Preserving Tutoring System for Architectural Education The Silent Crisis Picture this: A design student faces a challenging architectural problem. They need to create a sustainable community center that harmonizes with its urban context while meeting complex programmatic requirements. In 2023, they would likely turn to ChatGPT, type their question, and receive a … 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
Turning Natural Language into Architecture Designing a house is never just about walls and windows—it’s about translating human stories into spaces that feel alive. Clients describe routines, aspirations, and cultural practices. Architects then face the challenge of turning those narratives into coherent layouts that also respond to site, climate, and context. Most computational tools fall … Read more
Andromeda is a Rhino-native copilot that turns briefs, context, and massing into a single, interpretable graph so designers can enrich masterplans, evaluate KPIs, and bake results back to Rhino, without leaving their workflow. Built for early-stage masterplanning, it aims to raise social value, connectivity, accessibility, and overall urban quality by unifying data, guiding program allocation, … 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
ABSTRACT Recent developments in generative artificial intelligence, particularly diffusion models such as Stable Diffusion and DALL·E, have enabled the creation of visually compelling architectural façades from text-based prompts. While these outputs are expressive and stylistically diverse, they remain fundamentally unstructured, lacking spatial intelligence, semantic clarity, and geometric editability. This limits their integration into architectural design … Read more
By Jose, Giorgia, Paul, Francesco, and Mohammed Rethinking Urban Design Through Acoustic Intelligence Cities today must manage noise for public health, productivity, and urban well-being. Streets, parks, towers, and public spaces all face constant noise challenges. Yet, traditional urban design often treats acoustics as an afterthought. Most teams evaluate sound issues only after making key … Read more
HaBiCoM is an AI-powered copilot designed to assist architects, designers, and users in shaping smarter, more responsive interior spaces. At its core, HaBiCoM redefines the way we approach furniture placement within residential environments by aligning each design decision with the user’s unique daily habits, lifestyle rhythms, and thermal comfort needs. Unlike traditional layout tools, HaBiCoM … Read more
A sustainability CoPilot Gaia is an intelligent design assistant, a copilot that supports architects in navigating the early stages of design with real-time environmental feedback. Named after the ancient Greek personification of the Earth, Gaia reflects both the ecological focus of the tool and its role as a guiding presence in the creative process. The … Read more
A copilot for intelligent facade design DEMO A SNAPSHOT OF THE PROJECT: INTRODUCTION: FUNDAMENTAL Meet John, an experienced architect working late in his studio, surrounded by sketches, coffee cups, and the familiar glow of his computer screen. He’s facing a challenge that keeps countless architects awake at night – designing a facade that’s both beautiful … Read more
Consider yourself a local architect or urban planner dealing with the all-too-common Barcelona problem: Its too hot here! and the courtyard outside feels like a desolate oven. Imagine now that your co-pilot is a pixel-art cat that is friendly, understands the climatic conditions and works with you to create a courtyard that is actually comfortable, … Read more
Project Objective The project objective is to develop an interface where users can batch upload images of an established design, usually in the Design Development phase when materials and small tweaks are being considered. The goal is for a user in a traditional architecture office to batch upload images of their 3d model to quickly … Read more
