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.
Welcome to Panton vs Lumon, the app we built during the GenAI course to explore what happens when you pit two aesthetic extremes against each other, then hand over control to the user. Think Verner Panton meets Severance’s Lumon Industries. This isn’t just style transfer – it’s a design identity crisis turned into a creative … Read more
How two architects transformed the way we present architectural projects by creating an AI-powered storytelling interface that turns technical drawings into compelling visual narratives. The Genesis: Beyond Plans and Sections Traditional architectural presentations often fail to bridge the gap between professional technical documentation and client understanding. James discovered that: So who is this storyteller platform … Read more
Intro Designers know the pain: a perfect image—ruined by one wrong material. A distracting object. A missing texture. An awkward composition. You could retouch it manually, but how long will that take? And will it ever really blend? What if you could just circle the problem area and ask for something better? Something that fits … Read more
Why “Faster” Matters A single photorealistic render can quickly be very expensive and take days to produce, locking design changes behind hefty bills and long waits for architects. Generative AI, through models like Stable Diffusion and custom LoRAs, slashes both cost and time, turning sketches into near-final visuals in seconds. By democratizing high-fidelity imagery, it … Read more
Introduction In this blog, we walk through the complete data science process applied to a unique challenge: predicting the acoustic comfort index of apartment units based on architectural and environmental features. This includes data preprocessing, feature engineering, model training, interpretation, and tuning—with tools like XGBoost, Neural Networks, and SHAP for explainability. The workflow is split … Read more
Bridging Carbon estimations in early design stages The built environment accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, the urgency to integrate sustainability into architectural and engineering processes has never been greater. Yet, decisions made in the earliest stages of building design often lock in the majority of a structure’s lifetime carbon footprint, long before … Read more
1 — Project OverviewOur project is based on the building geometry model that is provided with three apartment types and spaces in between them. We chose to focus on the shared spaces: the courtyards, terraces, and balconies. The building is located in Barcelona, so we rely on fixed environmental conditions and don’t re-run simulations. We … 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
Brief Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) is a process for managing and conserving historical structures. Despite its potential and the European Directive 2014/24/EU, HBIM remains underutilized due to complex processes. AI-based technology can streamline HBIM processes at reduced costs, making heritage conservation more feasible. Technologies like LIDAR, TLS, photogrammetry (including UAVs), and SLAM, initially tested … Read more
Abstract In this interview of the BIM Theory Podcast, we sit down with Altaf Ganihar, founder and CEO of Snaptrude, to explore how a simple hobby project evolved into a cutting-edge cloud-based design tool. Starting as a SketchUp plugin, Snaptrude has grown into a platform that integrates AI, automation, and BIM to streamline workflows and … Read more
Introduction In this episode of the MaCAD Theory podcast, we explore with our guest Mr. Alessandro Grossi the growing importance of sustainable practices in the AEC sector, driven by climate change and resource scarcity. We dive into how integrating sustainability principles early in the design process can impact lifecycle costs and environmental outcomes.Listen to how … Read more
BRIEF PROBLEM: Architectural design is a complex process that often involves repetitive tasks, human errors, and inefficiencies that can slow down workflows. While Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools like Autodesk Revit have significantly improved design and documentation processes, the absence of structured automation continues to limit optimization, particularly for architectural design firms. Many firms struggle … Read more
INTRODUCTION We approached our parametric project with a top-down methodology, emphasizing the importance of urban, climatic, social, and economic parameters. These factors, alongside the needs for project development, are crucial when discussing architecture that focuses on the reuse and recycling of existing structures in both established and developing contexts. CONCEPT & STAGES The algorithm is … Read more
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
This is Memory Loop, a computational design project that reimagines the rehabilitation experience for prisoners on Alcatraz Island. Here, architecture becomes more than confinement. It becomes an adaptive, generative space for introspection and reflection. A system that emerges, evolves, and dissolves in response to its purpose. The concept is simple but powerful. Instead of static … Read more
Overview PaperLink WIP – This study specifically explores Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyze pedestrian wind comfort. It aims to integrate these neural network models into a web application using Three.js and other tools. By utilizing data from OpenWeatherMap, and OpenStreetMap, the project aims to support real-time simulations and visualizations … Read more
