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Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities

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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Resilient Envelopes: The Adaptive Skin of N.E.S.T. Research Center

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MAEBB 2024-2025

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 Treeline – Sawmill Factory: Resilient Envelopes

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MAEBB 2024-2025

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

Zero Waste Project | Metabolic Building System: Water

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MAEBB 2023-2024

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

Urban Alliance – Resilient Envelopes

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MAEBB 2023-2024

The “Urban Alliance” is a mixed-use architectural design seamlessly integrating Industry 4.0 principles, featuring advanced photovoltaic production units. This visionary space harmoniously combines sustainable energy practices with residential and commercial areas, embodying a forward-thinking urban landscape that fosters eco-friendly living and innovative business practices. It exemplifies a holistic and tech-driven approach to urban planning. The project is … Read more

Tetris Town: Ecosystemic Structures Workshop

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MAEBB 2023-2024

Continuing from the Thermodynamic Fabrications workshop we move on to the Ecosystemic Structures to further improve our Urban Synthesis project and refine the form of our building, according to the building materials of our choosing and the methods of construction we’d want to employ. This structural design further empowers the idea of dynamic adaptability and … Read more

Urban Alliance -Thermodynamic Fabrications

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MAEBB 2023-2024

The “Urban Alliance” is a mixed-use architectural design seamlessly integrating Industry 4.0 principles, featuring advanced photovoltaic production units. This visionary space harmoniously combines sustainable energy practices with residential and commercial areas, embodying a forward-thinking urban landscape that fosters eco-friendly living and innovative business practices. It exemplifies a holistic and tech-driven approach to urban planning. The … Read more

DZONGHA | Urban Interventions

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MAEBB 2022-2023

The Site chosen is Paro, Bhutan is a place of rich culture, high environmental values, and beautiful nature. For the design of a place to learn and exchange traditional handicraft techniques and knowledge, our building follows design values to enhance the space by efficient, environmentally-sound choices. In the first layer of design, we studied and … Read more

THE NEST | Urban Intervention

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MAEBB 2022-2023

The design began with the process of understanding the culture, the climate and the people of Accra, Ghana. The design is based in a tropical climate where the temperatures and the humidity are high. This design was then set in a Metaversal city that was a culmination of 6 sites from different regions of the … Read more

Tabrizian Tapestry: Metabolic Systems Water

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MAEBB 2022-2023

Rated under the World Water Pressure Map, Iran has an extremely high risk level of water stress assessment and the ratio of withdrawls to supply in a 2040 forecast. For our building Tabrizian Tapestry, we have created the following study and water management assessment through the following strategies: 1. CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS: Through subsurface flow constructed … Read more

Tabrizian Tapestry: Ecosystemic Structures

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MAEBB 2022-2023

We believe in creating structures that not only meet functional requirements, but also celebrate and pay homage to local architectural traditions. With this in mind, we have taken inspiration from the iconic domes of Iran and integrated them into our design. Our building incorporates a unique bazaar on the ground floor, featuring a series of … Read more

Tabrizian Tapestry: Resilient Envelopes

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MAEBB 2022-2023

In terms of implementing the concept of Resilient envelopes in Tabrizian Tapestry, the envelopes have been developed, driven by specific sustainable constructive systems, and integrating materiality with specific origin and composition, as well as ample room for maneuver in terms of performativity, recyclability, bio-degradability, longevity. Advanced CLT balloon frame with Brick facade clad in north … Read more

BUILDINGS WITHOUT ARCHITECTS: A Global Guide to Everyday Architecture by John May | Ecological Thinking

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MAEBB 2022-2023

This blog is a review of the book, Buildings without Architects: A Global Guide to Everyday Architecture by John May. The book is a culmination of 60+ different styles of vernacular architecture ranging from different materials and different regions of the world. “Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.” – … Read more

DELIRIOUS NEW YORK: A Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan by Rem Koolhaas | Ecological Thinking II

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MAEBB 2022-2023

This blog is a review of the book “Delirious New York” written by Rem Koolhaas. “The future is no longer about power, but about bandwidth.” Rem Koolhas Rem Koolhaas wrote a novel titled “Delirious New York” that outlines the evolution and background of Manhattan’s design and urbanism. Koolhaas wrote this book because he desired to … Read more