Optoppen (City above the city )

AIM The housing crisis in Spain stems from rising prices, stagnant construction, and growing demand, leaving many unable to afford housing, highlighting the need for urgent, sustainable solutions. Spain Time line of the Housing crisis Long Term trend Housing crisis AFFORDABLE HOUSING by 2035 Material comparison Homeless people Data Site documentation Typology – I Joint … Read more

Extending Habitats: Biotic Hut

Our studio project is focused on reinventing this site near the Bésos Rivermouth as a biodiverse public space. To approach this project, we started by studying the site through the lens of multiple species, both human and non-human. In understanding what the flora and fauna of this area look like we began posing specific questions … Read more

Data Driven Design: Populating & Visualizing Walls for GraphRAG

The work presented in this blog post explores how code and visual tools can be used to create and represent the data central to this research group’s main project in the Research Studio. It focuses on integrating data-driven design methods to support sustainable façade development while aligning with environmental guidelines. By emphasizing the creation and … Read more

Reimagining Urban Spaces: Structural Optimization in the Parasite Studio Project

Urban landscapes are constantly evolving, with existing buildings often requiring new functions, sustainable upgrades, and modern aesthetics. In the IAAC’s course on structural optimization, our studio project, “Parasite,” embodies this transformative approach by exploring the potential of hybrid construction methods and adaptive reuse. Our goal was to breathe new life into existing reinforced concrete structures … Read more

The Perch – Analysis of Generative Glulam and Steel Beam Structure

Our generative building is a mixed-use typology with height ranging from 4 to 12 stories. The primary design focus is to create a transformable and adaptable structure that can respond seamlessly to changing functional needs. To achieve this, the building incorporates lightweight, recyclable, and circular materials, paired with modular connection elements that allow for easy … Read more

Emerging Economies – Learning Canvas Outcomes

Circular Economies and Value Flows with Marion Real I entered the session with a foundational understanding of resource loops, local production, and sustainable consumption. My goal was to discover circular models for urban infrastructure, particularly exploring how waste management, water, and energy systems could be redesigned. The key takeaway from the session was the importance … Read more

Milan – Environmental Strategies for Early Design Stages

LOCATION City:   Milan Climatic cat.:   Zone E, 2 404 DD – by ENEA National Agency Coordinates:   45°28′01″N 9°11′24″E Altitude:   120 m s.l.m. Characteristics: Hot summers and cold winters. Local exceptions to the humid subtropical climate model are to be expected.Protected from both cold winds and mild winds.High humidity, given the alluvial nature of … Read more

Climate-Responsive Design for Singapore

This project explores the relationship between Singapore’s tropical climate and architectural design. By analyzing climatic data—such as temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind patterns—we evaluated how a specific building shape interacts with the environment. Through computational tools, we simulated the building’s performance to address key challenges like heat gain and airflow. The results informed potential … Read more

Digital Tools for Environmental Analysis | Rome

Rome has a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Average temperatures range from around 8.5°C in winter to about 31°C in summer​. The city experiences moderate rainfall, with the wettest months typically being October and November. Climate Analysis In Rome, the bulb temperature, which reflects the combined effect of air … Read more

Green Enough? Assessing Barcelona’s Compliance with EEA Green Space Standards Per Capita Using Geospatial Analysis.

AbstractGreen spaces play a critical role in enhancing urban livability by improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effects, and promoting mental and physical well-being.This project evaluates the spatial distribution of green spaces in Barcelona and their compliance with the European Environment Agency (EEA) standard of 9 m² of green space per person. By overlaying … Read more

Environmental Analysis – Austin, Texas

Austin has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa), characterized by hot summers and mild winters.  The city experiences long, hot summers and short, mild winters, with brief transitions in spring and fall. The climate data used in this analysis was obtained from: – Location: Austin-Mueller Municipal Airport, Texas, USA – Weather Station ID: 722540 … Read more

The Global Story of Cement and Its Environmental Impact

The Backbone of Modernity – Since its invention in 1842, Portland cement has become a cornerstone of modern construction. Its role in shaping cities, infrastructure, and economies is unparalleled, but this comes at a cost. Cement production is energy-intensive, emits significant carbon dioxide, and has become a key driver of global greenhouse gas emissions Cement … Read more

Environmental Analysis of Madrid

Part 1: Climate Analysis Madrid falls into two koppen climate classification zones: a cold semi-arid climate (classification BSk) in the metropolitan area, and a mediterranean, dry-summer climate in the west half of the city (classification Csa). The main characteristics of this climate are hot, dry summers and cold, humid winters. There are also large temperate … Read more

BUSINESS INNOVATION

Introduction The global housing crisis highlights the urgent need for affordable, sustainable, and inclusive housing solutions worldwide, Rapid urbanization, rising costs, and unequal access to resources have left millions without adequate housing. A lack of affordable housing options is deepening social inequality in cities across the globe. How Global Housing prices have changed since 2010 … Read more

AI theory: Using NLP – Graph Rag for AI Suggestions in Facades, based on Environmental Guidelines

This project leverages Graph Retrieval-Augmented Generation (Graph RAG) to provide intelligent facades configuration recommendations aligned with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) principles. This post presents how we apply AI theory approaches for reaching the stablished target. The project correlates quantitative data and qualitative guidelines, by integrating 17% of the assessed metrics in this guidelines and creating … Read more