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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The excitement was immense after nearly two weeks of living in Valldaura, as we were finally about to use the Fablab and all its machines. However, the excitement dimmed slightly when we learned that the CNC machine wouldn’t be operational for at least a month. This meant we wouldn’t be able to produce our stool … 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
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
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
