During the first six months in the program, students are comprehensively trained in the principles of design and construction of advanced ecological buildings through a series of focused and intense modules, which include material production, thermal and metabolic building systems, ecological structures and façade systems and much more. After developing the necessary skills and a holistic understanding of advanced and ecological design, students collectively draft and build a full scale ecological building prototype.
The primary objective of the water management strategy employed in this project is to reduce the water usage of both the building occupants (including residents and industrial users) to a minimum level. One straightforward method for reducing water consumption involves implementing the following measures. By setting a baseline for the overall water consumption in residential … Read more
In the face of the climate crisis, the role of energy systems in building design has come under increasingly scrutiny. Buildings are not only significant energy consumers but also major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. As we grapple with rising global temperatures and rising urbanization, the focus on creating energy efficient buildings which rely on clean, … Read more
Plot 2 – Proximity Food combines food production & residencies. Greenhouses split residential buildings, providing residents with access to growing spaces to be used for food self-sufficiency throughout the year. The industrial level includes a variety of food industries – including hydroponic farming, food R&D labs and urban food forests. Water is a crucial part of … Read more
Sant Adrià de Besòs is a municipality conurbated to Barcelona. For the past decades, the city has faced a transformation in its spatial organization and uses. The high demand for housing along with an industry that already has no space in urban centers created a challenge, which is the key of the project. In order … Read more
Incorporating the principles of Industry 4.0, our architectural project redefines urban living by seamlessly integrating sustainable design strategies with advanced manufacturing techniques. With a focus on promoting bicycle culture and health, our industry manufactures bikes. In this module, we synthesised the previous modules into a holistic design. The design principles from thermodynamics, exosystemic structures, metabolic … Read more
Incorporating the principles of Industry 4.0, our architectural project redefines urban living by seamlessly integrating sustainable design strategies with advanced manufacturing techniques. With a focus on promoting bicycle culture and health, our industry manufactures bikes. In this module, we understood the different parts of the building, focusing on how their structures work and are interconnected. … Read more
As part of the media project class, we received tools for presenting architectural projects in a more interesting and convincing manner. We experimented with two types of media: a documentary-style video based on interviews and rendering using Lumion. We practiced these tools on our semester project, Echo House, which focuses on the combination of housing … Read more
Two ways of sustainable energy harvesting will be implemented in the building, primary method is using PV panels, second, more experimental, transforming sound vibrations into energy via piezoelectric barriers. Two types of solar panels will be implemented in the building, first (on the left) as means of primary energy source, second (on the right) as … Read more
The envelope of the building serves as a multifaceted entity, acting as a secondary skin that embodies both functionality and aesthetics. At ground level, it harnesses the ambient sound of the street, converting it into energy, while higher up, a dynamic string facade adorned with greenery serves as both a sound absorber and a solar … Read more
Climate of Barcelona A long-term climatological analysis was conducted using historical weather data to identify and compare trends in rainfall and temperature over a period of more than two centuries. This type of study is valuable for understanding the local effects of climate change, observing weather pattern consistency or changes, and aiding in the development … Read more
Welcome to our structural project, a testament to our commitment to holistic urban development and innovation. At its core, our project seeks to integrate seamlessly with the city, serving as a cornerstone for community development. Through lush green areas and vibrant public spaces, we aim to foster a profound sense of community and connection with … Read more
About. Project media | The course proposes examining the dynamic between individual designers and the collectives they serve, positioning designers as advocates for impactful change. Through personal narrative development and collective campaigning strategies, the course aims to empower designers to influence the built environment positively. It focuses on developing both conceptual and practical skills necessary … Read more
Current Overview Transport is the world’s second-fastest-growing source of GHG emissions after industry. In 2021, the transportation sector was responsible for 14 % of direct global GHG emissions, emitting approximately 8.1 GtCO2. In order to reduce CO2 emissions and meet Paris-aligned targets, some changes in this sector will be required. Generally speaking, services, jobs, and … Read more
This module marks the culmination of the design project. In order to demonstrate that industry and residential areas can coexist, benefit from one another, and have a positive environmental impact, they were combined. The idea of combining residential areas with recycling businesses illustrates how waste management and sustainable living are mutually beneficial. Such a model … Read more
An important tool for illustrating a project’s potential is visualization. Architectural visualization clearly conveys the project’s design concept through intricate 3D renderings and animations, enabling stakeholders to understand the development’s potential and vision. Through the use of sophisticated rendering techniques, visualization offers viewers accurate representations of architectural elements, materials, and lighting conditions, allowing them to … Read more
GAIA Plot 1. About. Urban Synthesis | Resilient Envelopes This course explores the design and construction of modern and sustainable building envelopes. These envelopes must be strong yet adaptable, capable of being disassembled, transported, and reused with minimal energy consumption. They should also withstand various environmental elements like air, wind, sun, water, and temperature changes. … Read more
This module focused on developing an envelope for the building, enhancing its functional as well as aesthetic qualities. The building envelope is pivotal in enhancing a structure’s functionality and performance. A well-designed envelope minimizes heat transfer, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. Effective insulation and air sealing maintain consistent indoor temperatures, ensuring occupants’ comfort … Read more
This module emphasized understanding and optimizing water consumption by building and utilizing various strategies to improve it. Firstly, we calculated the water consumption of the building. After accounting for the intensive housing system’s average, we arrived at a daily total of 54,051 L used by the building in its entirety. We calculated the consumption for … Read more
This module emphasized understanding and optimizing energy consumption and generation by building and utilizing various strategies. Calculating energy and power consumption per function per unit area for our projects was the first task of the course. In accordance with this mandate, we submitted suggestions on Sunny Design to assist in designing rooftop solar panels in … Read more
This module focused on tackling the structural aspect of the design. The main objective was to devise a straightforward structural approach that could be standardized. The first step in the process was deciding on the grid sizes: 4 m × 4 m for the residential program and 8 m × 8 m for the industrial … Read more
The Project Media class had two different focuses: video production and image production. Both are related to narrative, how videos and images are capable of telling a story and enhancing an architectural project in order to make it more powerful. The first task we had was the video footage. In order to relate with our … Read more
Incorporating the principles of Industry 4.0, our architectural project redefines urban living by seamlessly integrating sustainable design strategies with advanced manufacturing techniques. With a focus on promoting bicycle culture and health, our industry manufactures bikes. In this module, we understood energy consumption of the building and implemented strategies to generate the required amount of energy. … Read more
GAIA Plot 1. About. Urban Synthesis | Metabolic Systems: Energy In this module, you’ll delve into the fundamentals of energy and power systems within buildings, exploring the various components involved. You’ll gain insight into user energy consumption patterns and have the opportunity to develop a personalized energy use case for your projects. A significant focus … Read more
In these workshop, we’re diving deep into the world of resilient building envelopes, showcasing how contemporary design can intertwine with sustainability. Our project is a testament to this, blending innovative materials like corrugated hemp panels, ceramic pots for plant growth and rainwater filtration, wood for balcony structures, and compressed earth blocks for thermal mass. Through … Read more
