The Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) postgraduate program is an 11-month immersive academic program focused on learning how to design and build a new generation of buildings and cities to respond to the planet’s emerging climate challenges. The program is carried out in Valldaura Labs, in Barcelona, a 135 He property located in the Collserola forest. Here, students will live and work surrounded by nature while using the most advanced technologies and design techniques in the pursuit of what is also IAAC’s long term initiative, to create self-sufficient and ecological environments.


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BIOBASE(D) – Ecosystemic Structures

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

BIOBASE(D) – Thermodynamics Fabrications

The project Biobase(d) is a forest management center situated in the Pyrenees, a mountain range in northern Spain known for its rugged terrain and extreme climate. This challenging environment calls for careful attention to thermal efficiency, as the design must address both cold temperatures and fluctuating seasonal conditions. The aim is to create a sustainable … Read more

Thermodynamic Fabrications for a CLT Factory

Project Located in Solsona, Spain, near the Centre de Ciència i Tecnologia Forestal de Catalunya. Situated at an elevation of 700 meters above sea level, the site experiences a continental hinterland climate, characterized by cold winters, hot summers, and significant temperature variations between day and night. Rainfall is moderate, with drier summers and wetter autumns. … Read more

The Treeline – Sawmill Factory: Structures

Location SOLSONA, SPAIN Elevation: 700 m above sea levelClimate: Continental / highlands Manifesto From the Pyrenees to Barcelona, the journey wood takes can become a means to bridge the knowledge gap between forests and the timber industry. Solsona, located in the middle of this journey, housing our timber saw mill, can become a place of … Read more

Thermodynamic Fabrication : N.E.S.T Research Center

N.E.S.T.: A Network for Ecological and Sustainable Timber Research We were tasked with designing a Timber Research Center (+Residential units for researchers and visiting academics, designed for comfort and collaboration +shared amenities to foster a sense of community) A research and innovation facility dedicated to developing advanced timber products and technologies, with high-tech laboratories, testing … Read more

Ecosystemic Structure for a boutique CLT Factory

Our CLT Factory embodies a boutique ethos: modest in scale yet purposeful in intent. Serving as a research and innovation hub for new CLT products, it represents a vision for sustainable work-life integration and thoughtful wood construction, with a commitment to sustainable design practices. In contrast to sprawling industrial complexes, this boutique factory seamlessly integrates … Read more

Eco-Systemic Structures : NEST

N.E.S.T. A Network for Ecological and Sustainable Timber Research Introduction The N.E.S.T. Research Center is a project within the MAEBB program, designed as the final step in the timber transformation chain. It is not merely a research hub but a living ecosystem of innovation, where the possibilities of timber construction are explored, tested, and refined. Situated in Sant Adrià del … Read more

Timber V4ult: Ecosystemic Structures

As the fourth segment in a chain of production of CLT and Timber materials, our goal was to design a building responsible for the pre-fabrication and assembling of those materials. Location Map Concept Manifesto This project is an auto-replicating, self-sufficient, and carbon sequestering building; a prototype for the buildings of the future. It embodies a … Read more

Tree Line: Thermodynamic Fabrications

Our project, titled ‘Tree Line’ is a timber saw mill, combining community with industry in the city of Solsona, Spain. The aim of this project is to bridge the gap of knowledge in the public about the milling industry, and bring people closer to the wood that is so often used. It sits within the … Read more

Sunscape Lounge: Thermodynamic Fabrications

Objective – Initially understand local climatic patterns and develop climatically-adapted design strategies.-First design step: develop interior spatial and material strategies adapted to body demands.-Second design step: learn how program can be used from a thermodynamic perspective to generate heat sources and sinks.-Thirdly, develop external massing morphological and material strategies to interact with local sun wind … Read more

Valldaura Labs: Organic Farming

Valldaura Garden Valldaura is a living laboratory for 21st century innovation and self-sufficiency. We practice techniques for small/meso scale agriculture, ensuring that some percentage of our food each week is truly zero kilometer. The farm is an important part of the Valldaura experience, it is where we learn about how to grow high yield organic … Read more

Collaborative Design Studio – Kindergarten

The Site We worked with the Kindergarten at Colegi Mare de Déu dels Angels in La Sagrera neighborhood Barcelona. This historic school has educated generations of students over nearly the past one hundred years, this year the school decided to bring in IAAC to develop playground structures to improve the exposed brick terraces where the … Read more

Collaborative Design Studio: Colegi Mare de Déu dels Angels Primary School

LIANA – a nature-inspired play structure that reimagines traditional playground design for primary school children. Drawing from the organic forms, LIANA blends architectural innovation with playfulness to encourage exploration, creativity, and physical activity. Introduction Located in La Sagrera, Barcelona, nestled within the dense urban fabric, is the Colegi Mare De Deu dels Angels primary school … Read more

Collaborative Design Studio : Log Seats

Objective GAIN a comprehensive understanding of collaborative design principles within a community context. EXPLORE stakeholder engagement techniques to assess current usage and gather input for design improvements. DEVELOP innovative solutions that incorporate sustainable practices and local materials. CULTIVATE collaborative skills through group work, leveraging collective knowledge in the design process. ENHANCE communication skills through effective … Read more

The Interstice_

For the class Advanced Digital Tools we designed a partition wall for the shared rooms at the Valldaura Campus. –THE INTERSTICE– A purposeful wall where the curve effortlessly transitions between its dual roles as a bench on one side and a shelf on the other balancing division and connection. REFERENCES We took inspiration from parametric … Read more

First Steps into Fabrication

In the first phase of the discipline of Collaborative Design Studio, our group reimagined the rooftop playground of the primary school of Colegi Mare De Deu dels Angels in Barcelona, focusing on enhancing the children’s well-being. Through site visits, movement mapping, and participatory workshops with students, parents, and teachers, we identified key needs such as … Read more

Computational Design Seminar: Cellular Partition Wall

Reuben Diamond & Pragyna Thondapu Our Goal: To create a parametric partition wall shelving system for a bedroom within the Valldaura Labs student quarters, inspired by nature. Partition Wall Concept: Cellular CascadeWe designed a partition wall inspired by nature, achieving an organic form and a natural aesthetic while ensuring structural integrity. The wall stands independently … Read more

Yin yang tension stool

The Art of Balance: Prototyping a Tensegrity Stool For our latest project at Valldaura, we set out to design and build a stool that defies convention. The result? A tensegrity stool that creates the captivating illusion of a floating seat. What is Tensegrity? Tensegrity—short for tensile integrity—is a structural principle that relies on a balance … Read more

Log seats-The Stumpies

The project “Log seats” explores the idea of using cut-wooden logs as playground elements for secondary school students to help create better playground environment. Objective The main aim of the project was to fabricate a seating element in the secondary school playground of Colegi Mare de Déu dels Angels in the city of Barcelona. The … Read more

Computational Design Seminar

As the final assignment for the discipline of Advanced Digital Tools, we were asked to create a dynamic partition wall in one of our dormitoriesusing computational design principles. The chosen one was room nº 8 of Valldaura Labs, with an area of 9.48m². To allow free movement for both dwellers, the wall was designed to … Read more

Waste Wood Reworks Series : Stools

As my first woodworking project at Valldaura, I aimed to choose a simple design to familiarize myself with the tools and the process of working with this unique material. Being new to this, I was eager and excited to begin. The project began with my fascination and appreciation for the natural qualities and weathering of … Read more