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.
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
Nestled within IAAC’s Master of Advanced Computational Design program, our recent investigation of Graph Machine Learning (Graph ML) sought to reimagine how we perceive, evaluate, and improve architectural spaces. Our team of Andrea, Leila, Lennart, and Mahnoor worked on a courtyard prototype to create a seamless process that combines parametric modeling, semantic data interchange, and … Read more
Abstract This project is a speculative and critical exploration of human-AI intimacy inspired by Spike Jonze’s film Her. The story of a man falling in love with his AI assistant prompts an urgent contemporary question: can current large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4o or LLaMA 3 convincingly simulate emotional intimacy? More importantly, what does … Read more
The Algorithmic Epoch Modern advertising was born out of propaganda techniques developed in World War I by Edward Bernays. He realized that by manipulating symbols and emotions, it was possible to shape mass behaviour, a concept that now forms the backbone of our algorithm-driven economy. The Internet, once heralded as a tool for global connection, … Read more
Framing the Dilemma: Access vs. Autonomy The Promise of AI for Inclusive Learning Artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to gain traction as a tool to bridge educational gaps for people with disabilities. AI-powered learning assistants – from chatbots to adaptive tutoring systems – have emerged as a promising solution to provide personalized support at scale … Read more
This project introduces a graph-based machine learning system designed to automate furniture placement in apartment layouts. The workflow was developed as part of an architectural design studio and played a key role in generating comfort-driven interior configurations. At its core, the system encodes spatial and functional rules such as placing a sofa near a window … Read more
In modern residential architecture, acoustic comfort is as vital as daylighting or thermal performance. In our latest studio research at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Group 09 tackled the challenge of mapping and optimizing sound behavior in homes using graph-based machine-learning workflows. Over the next five minutes, you’ll discover how we combined city-scale … Read more
A STORY OF SYNTHETIC LIFE FORM HAVE YOU EVER DREAMT OF A BETTER VERSION OF YOURSELF? The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat (Universal Pictures, 2024) This project simulates a linear evolutionary process in which a synthetic organism progressively transforms to become more human-like. The evolution is guided entirely by language models, with no human intervention … Read more
What if body becomes the carrier of code? Information derived from human-body; it’s movement, expressions, how it sounds as a dataset for AI interpretation and use. What are the different dimensions of these interactions & interpretations? Biological Dimension AI Dimension Informational Dimension Different Modalities Study of Amazon’s AI systems Visualisation of the Back-End Process Follow … Read more
At the nexus of competing demands architecture has always existed. Every design endeavor aims to balance materialsity with ecological awareness economy with spatial generosity permanence with adaptability and structure with aesthetics. It is uncommon for these multifaceted pressures—structural physical socioeconomic and sustainable—to allow for a one-size-fits-all solution. Rather traditional architectural design frequently necessitates major concessions … Read more
Mas Profundo is a pipeline that allows designers to generate interesting architectural images from simple models using a live camera feed. Architectural models tend to portray a reduced colorway and detail is limited by workmanship and time. Mas Profundo allows each model ideation to be visualized more realistically than a simple foam model. Mas Profundo … Read more
Abstract In this project, we explore how graph-based thinking can reshape construction planning by bridging design data and scheduling logic. Drawing inspiration from modular architecture and network theory, we investigate new ways to visualize, analyze, and optimize the sequencing of building elements. By combining insights from BIM, parametric modeling, and graph analysis, the work aims … Read more
Introduction We are Aleyna and Francesco, and in this post, we present FG Sketches—a generative tool developed as part of the Artificial Intelligence in Architecture (AIA) module within the MaCAD Generative AI program. The objective of this project was to design a system capable of learning from the sketching language of Frank Gehry and translating … Read more
Outline: Depth and canny of an object by Jose Lazokafatty and Paul Suarez Introduction The Machine, as a creative AI-powered image generator that turns your sketches and prompts into richly detailed visions. Born from curiosity—how does a machine interpret an abstract outline of a doodle? or the depth of an image? this project is as … Read more
