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 The name Bisat-al-Nur—carpet of light—embodies both poetry and precision: a modern design rooted in tradition, echoing Cairo’s historic markets while reinterpreting them with contemporary materials and climate-responsive strategies. Ingredients The project is built on four ingredients: Design Process Layers The design unfolds across four layers: The strategy was to leave the existing market mostly … Read more
A comprehensive environmental assessment and design optimization process was developed for a proposed residential development located in Palermo, Italy. This study integrates climate analysis, massing optimization, outdoor thermal comfort assessment and the development of a final design proposal informed by performance-based criteria. Introduction The project area covers approximately 6,500 m2 within a dense and flat residential … Read more
Case Study Site Context The site is located at 46.2330, 6.0556 in Meyrin, Geneva, Switzerland. It includes the Esplanade des Particules, within the CERN campus, and covers an area of 45.000 sqm, surrounded by a urban residential area with low-rise buildings. The primary land uses in the vicinity include grass and allotments. The site’s location … Read more
Introduction This project, developed by Group D (Giovanni Carlo Volpe, Nihan Malkoç, Sushmitha Ravi, Zeynep Sezen Dursun) as part of the Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design at IAAC, explores a computationally driven strategy for creating environmentally responsive architecture in the challenging climate of Ahmedabad, India. Through a rigorous process utilizing Digital Tools … Read more
Kyiv’s climate shows limited periods of thermal comfort throughout the year. Most months are uncomfortable due to cold winters and hot summers. Comfort in the shade improves slightly in mid-seasons, while exposure to the sun enhances warmth in spring and autumn but increases heat stress in summer. Sun & Wind Study Insights:Wind significantly influences thermal … Read more
Inspirations The Earthen Curtains project is rooted in a deep reflection on vernacular architecture and passive sustainability. The primary formal and conceptual inspiration is derived from the work of Hassan Fathy and the tradition of the Nubian Vaults. This architectural heritage, celebrated for the use of local materials (raw earth) and intrinsic climatic strategies, is … Read more
The name Le Monstre Merveille reflects the duality:a structure that appears complex and almost monstrous in form, yet creates a delicate, controlled, and humane interior experience.Rather than replacing the existing structure, the concept focuses on preserving the order and hierarchy of the original architecture, while inserting a new system that acts almost like a parasite—adapting, … Read more
Introduction Group Async A, comprised of Charles Abi Chahine, Emilie El Chidiac, María Sánchez, and Lakzhmy Zaro, conducted an environmental analysis of a redevelopment project in Tokyo, Japan. We focused on a 19-hectare plot that was historically the site of the Tsukiji fish market. The Challenge of Dressing for TokyoAnyone who has visited Tokyo’s famous … Read more
The objective was to transform the existing historic roof market of Bab El-Louk in Cairo through parametric roof design and optimized user circulation while maintaining the existing steel frames. DESIGN CONCEPT & EARLY EXPLORATIONS At the beginning, the goal was to find the roof form by using the existing roof surfaces shown in pink. Starting … Read more
Team members: Nguyen Vu Tue Minh (Chloe), Eduardo Martinez Toribio, Symon Kipkemei Modified by Nguyen Vu Tue Minh on December 12, 2025 //CONTEXT //SITE INFORMATION //CLIMATIC ANALYSIS //DESIGN PARAMETERS 1. Precedent Study & Early stage explorations 2. Form Study 3. Design Exploration To test our ideas effectively, we simplified our design proposal into clean, minimal … Read more
Saint Julian’s City in Malta Saint Julian’s is Malta’s nightlife and tourism epicenter (Paceville), causing extreme population density and infrastructure strain in summer. Its coastal development makes it highly vulnerable to climate change impacts like sea-level rise, while its energy-intensive industry contributes to Malta’s emissions. Environmental Analysis to Inform Design Environmental Analysis Workflow The workflow … Read more
Solid vs. Soft How can an object low in inherent solidity still be structurally present and define architectural space? This question lies at the heart of The Pneumatical Incrustation. Developed for the Complex Forming Seminar, this project explores the fundamental contrast between the solid and the soft. The goal was to investigate how “soft” forms … Read more
Timber is booming in architecture, often framed as a climate solution. But carbon is only part of the story. Forests are living systems whose shape matters: edges, cores, perforations, and bridges all affect biodiversity, microclimate, and resilience. Timber Trace asks: What does logging monitoring really tell us about the hidden impact of timber in architecture, … Read more
ABSTRACT The integration of generative AI into architecture is transforming early-stage design processes, particularly by enabling rapid and automated floorplan generation. These tools increase efficiency by exploring large design spaces and producing multiple layout options in a short time. However, current workflows struggle to integrate critical performative analyses such as daylight availability, thermal comfort, and … Read more
ABSTRACT LAYOUT GENERATOR This research introduces a computational framework for early-stage architectural design that automates the generation and evaluation of building layouts. The approach begins from basic inputs—program requirements, site boundary, and context—and produces alternative spatial arrangements that are assessed against architectural and regulatory constraints. The framework ensures that generated layouts respect programmatic adjacencies, daylight … 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
