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

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

Digital tools for Structural Optimization 

Project Overview This structural analysis and optimization focuses on a studio project designed as an office and industrial hybrid typology housing creative industries, such as architecture studios and robotics fabrication labs. The building is generated through an aggregation process, resulting in variable building heights that generally fall within high-rise parameters. The structural system consists of … 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

Tower Structural Optimization

INTRODUCTION In an era where architecture must balance aesthetic expression with structural efficiency, parametric design and computational tools have emerged as transformative forces. Our project explores a mixed-use commercial building, seamlessly integrating advanced structural systems to achieve a dynamic, functional, and visually compelling design. By utilizing Karamba3D for structural analysis and optimization, the project redefines … Read more

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

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

The 4 Seasons

The project While in prison, inmates often lose their sense of time and the natural rotation of the seasons. Their lives tend to become a continuous loop with little variation and few opportunities to start anew by learning new skills or pursuing higher education. Additionally, the social environment in these spaces is frequently governed by … Read more

Quantitative and Rapid Buildability Assessment Techniques for 3D-Printing Earth

3DPA 2024-25 Faculty : Secil Afsar Guest Faculty : Amanda Rivera INTRODUCTION Matrix of material design strategy for 3DPA 2024-2025 ANALYSIS OF PREVIOUS YEARS Mixing strategies from the previous protoypes of 3DPA EXPECTED IMPROVEMENTS Matrix for default design strategies from previous years, and areas for future improvement MATTER RESEARCH Testing different matter mixes, and additives … Read more

adopy

What if a structure could adapt its shape in response to environmental inputs? inputs    : light value . water value outputs : movement of the canopy/roof adopy [noun]:  an adaptive architectural structure that dynamically responds to environmental conditions using sensor-driven inputs. The canopy system uses light and water sensors to adjust its shape for … Read more

AcouTerm

The facade system I designed transforms sound into movement, creating a dynamic and interactive architectural element. Inspired by the form of a speaker, the design mimics the vibrations of sound waves through kinetic motion. Using parametric modeling and sound analysis, the facade responds to sound frequencies in real-time, producing an ever-changing aesthetic of light and … Read more

ROTATIONAL COLUMN – CIRCULAR WOOD DESIGN

STATE OF ART Part to Whole HG-A, South Korea – 2014 Building Traditions with Digital Research Rui Oliveira, Jose Pedro Sousa – 2016 Columns are analyzed as primary element of Ferreira’s designs. Columns, traditionally crafted through meticulous layering of bricks, are viewed both as structural and visual elements in his designs. RESEARCH QUESTION; “In what … Read more

The Knot

Site : Plaça Universitat Bamboo is often misunderstood as an invasive species, associated with uncontrolled growth and ecological harm. However, this perception overlooks its incredible versatility, sustainability, and capacity to regenerate without depleting resources. Our project challenges this narrative, reimagining bamboo not as a problem but as a solution—a material that embodies resilience and potential.  … Read more

Arc de Llum

This proposal envisions a pavilion at Plaça Nova, inspired by the interplay between structured grid systems and fluid, organic pathways. Designed to adapt to the dynamic needs of its users, the pavilion offers a versatile space that fosters connection and individual expression. With its modular design and open, flexible layout, the pavilion encourages movement and … Read more

THE CRYSTAL LATTICE

The objective of this assignment is to design a parametric facade that incorporates movable panels. This innovative approach aims to enhance both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the building, allowing for adaptability to various environmental conditions. By exploring the principles of parametric design, we can create a dynamic exterior that responds to changing light, … Read more

Urchin Pavilion

Urchin Pavilion is located at Sant Pere plaza in Barcelona. Between the trees and the statue,  the empty space is used for the pavilion. Entrance points of the pavilion are determined based on the pathways, location of the center dot is the statue at the plaza. Inspirations Sea Urchin Pavilion : Louis Vuitton Pop-Up Analysis … Read more

Irregular Modularity

How can we use irregular elements of reclaimed offcut-timber to  challenge the methodology of using planar, Interlocking and stacking techniques which can then be utilized in the design of forms ? Data CollectionThis first starts with a collection of materials and the creation of a database. This database serves as a resource for the planning … Read more

Digital Fabrication- Cabin Creation- Modufold

In this term, we had the opportunity to explore the three distinct fabrication techniques- CNC Milling, Laser Cutting and 3D printing – which resulted in the production of our cabin components CNC MILLING “Diamtic Echoes” A wall was created with layered cutouts and a grid system to add depth. In order to experiment with material … Read more

The Gòtic Quarter: A Sustainable Economic Model or Not?

Located in the heart of Barcelona, where the history of the city began, the Gòtic Quarter is an iconic neighborhood, we sought to understand its complex dynamics and whether its economic model could truly be called sustainable. From Roman foundations to bustling contemporary streets, the Gòtic Quarter embodies a story of transformation. But behind its … Read more

Techne W3: Structure

TECHNE: W3 – STRUCTURE workshop asks students to examine the structural behaviors inherent in 3D printing with clay and earth. Our goal for this week’s workshop was to print the tallest single and double surface structure that will be assessed against performance metrics such as toolpath length, print volume, print time, weight, collapse height, and … Read more

Techne W5: Fragments

After exploring periods in 2D and their capacity to deform, promising periods were tested in 3D to mitigate certain climatic phenomena and achieve various climatic performances, such as heat storage capacity of matter, ventilation, self-shading, and daylight allowance. Heat Storage Capacity of Matter To test this, a catalogue of deformation along 3 different axes was … Read more

Polykatoikia advisor

abstract This thesis presents an experimental approach that enables architects to automatically generate and rank multiple building layouts based on specific metrics, focusing on the Polykatoikia—the prevalent multi-story residential building type in Greece. By applying graph theory, architectural spaces are conceptualized as nodes, and their relationships—such as adjacency—are represented as edges. The graph offers a … Read more

Mediación de la Paz Urbana: Ideando un Campus-Parque para la Auto-Fabricación en San José de Costa Rica, CA.

La formulación de la paz es imposible para el consenso de las masas actuales. Esta misma perspectiva es igualmente negativa en el país que inició el desarme de sus tropas después de la dolorosa II Guerra Mundial y una sangrienta Guerra Civil en 1948, esta es Costa Rica. Una utopía en las américas, una deformada … Read more