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 MAEBB Exhibition Space is conceived as a lightweight timber pavilion that gently rises above the existing Valldaura Labs building—a contemporary crown inspired by Herzog & de Meuron, reinterpreted through the ecological logic of locally sourced wood. Resting on a minimal peripheral frame, the structure introduces a luminous and fully reversible addition at the height … Read more
This drawing explores how architecture transforms when it stops imposing its order and allows the forest to define its own conditions. It explores a shift from “building in a forest” to “building as a forest”. In the drawing Valldaura Lab is not an object placed in the forest, it is an interpreter of the forest … Read more
Pedro Pitarch led a Visual Intelligence course, and our assignment was to take the plans of Valldaura’s main building, and implement a “condition” of our choosing: a way to alter the building, or represent certain existing characteristics in a unique and interesting way. For my project, I decided to see what it could look like … Read more
Lessons from Workshop 1.1 – Robotic milling and design for subtractive manufacturing This workshop focused on advanced subtractive manufacturing techniques, exploring the integration of 2-axis CNC milling and 6-axis robotic milling within a hybrid digital fabrication workflow. The process emphasized computational design-to-production strategies, including toolpath generation, material optimization, and robotic calibration. Through sequential stages of … Read more
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game where players create characters and embark on adventures guided by a Dungeon Master. Through storytelling, strategy, and dice rolls, players explore worlds, battle foes, and solve challenges in an open-ended, cooperative experience. The game is played using polyhedral dices, character sheets, and often miniatures on gridded … Read more
In the face of climate challenges, architecture is evolving beyond static walls into dynamic, responsive systems. The N.E.S.T. Research Center embodies this shift through its resilient envelope, an intelligent skin designed to regulate environmental conditions, harness energy, and enhance structural performance. Envelope Development: A Multi-Layered Approach The building envelope is developed across four distinct facades, each tailored to … Read more
The Final Step in Timber Transformation chain: The Nest Timber Research Center is the last stage in the timber process, where materials are questioned, tested, and developed further. The building spans 8,142 sqm, housing public functions, workspaces and residential units. The nine-story building features a highly permeable ground floor, integrating public interfaces like sculpture gardens … Read more
boutique /buːˈtiːk/ small, sophisticated, or fashionable business or establishment. The CLT Factory is a part of the course that focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of the Entire timber transformation chain, Through the design of five interconnected programs, students will address the principles of circular construction, sustainability, and innovation, while exploring the relationship between large-scale … Read more
The façade design emphasizes verticality, reinforcing a connection to the surrounding forest and the natural growth patterns of trees. Inspired by the structural grid of the waffle roof, this vertical rhythm is expressed through the cladding, creating a cohesive architectural language. The use of natural materials, particularly wood, highlights the building’s relationship with the sawmill’s … Read more
For our Collaborative Design Studio discipline we built LIANA, a nature-inspired play structure that reimagines traditional playground design for primary school children. You can read about the fabrication process here, and the installation process here. During our conceptual design stages we built a 1:1 scale prototype, using 17 planks out of the 137 that the final design … Read more
Objective The goal of this module was to take the final decisions in order to match the building design to the integrated facilities that optimize the circular economy in timber production, balancing large-scale industrial processes with small-scale habitational solutions and an holistic urban system. Chain of production Timber V4ult is the fourth in a chain … Read more
Objective To develop resilient, adaptable, and sustainable building envelopes that integrate active and passive design strategies, utilizing advanced ecological materials and systems to optimize energy efficiency, recyclability, and environmental responsiveness throughout their lifecycle. Location Case Studies Wind & Sun Path Analysis Solar Radiation Diagram Envelope Layer : Roof Pergolas Design Intent : Our pergolas were … Read more
BIOBASE(D) is a forest management and research center in the Pyrenees, dedicated to preventing forest fires through sustainable forestry and education. The building’s design responds to the local climate, highlights the potential of timber as a construction material, and offers visitors and staff a unique experience in this remarkable forest basecamp. Committed to sustainability and self-sufficiency, … Read more
We are developing an innovative mixed use project in the Sant Adria de Besos area of Barcelona, the project will hose a modular wood building factory with offices and two floors of residential units as well as public green space. The project represents Besos’ transition from an old industrial area into a cutting edge neighborhood … Read more
Site Context This project, titled Tree Line, is a factory located in Solsona, Spain that produces 20,000 m3 of lumber each year. Halfway between the Pyrenees and Barcelona, it’s one of the middle steps in the process of obtaining wood in Barcelona, the next step being giving planks to the next door CLT production factory. … Read more
BIOBASE(D) is a forest management and research center in the Pyrenees, dedicated to preventing forest fires through sustainable forestry and education. The building’s design—especially its structure—responds to the local climate, highlights the potential of timber as a construction material, and offers visitors and staff a unique experience in this remarkable forest basecamp. CONCEPT Location The building … Read more
