Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities

About the institution

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) is a centre for research, education, production and outreach, with the mission of envisioning the future habitat of our society and building it in the present. 

About the program

The Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) is an immersive academic program focused on learning how to design and build new ecological buildings and cities, following up on the urban research conducted by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC).

Located in Valldaura Labs, in the Collserola forest of Barcelona, the program begins with six months of intensive training in ecological building principles, covering topics such as material production, thermal systems, and ecological structures. The curriculum spans diverse formats, including workshops, module courses, seminars, along the following thematics: Contemporary Theory and Practice of Ecological Architecture, Digital Fabrication, Ecology, Solar Energy and Thermodynamics, Eco-Materials, Advanced Structures and Metabolic Building Systems.

The academic structure emphasizes interdisciplinary skills, multidisciplinary education, connected education, recording processes in an international and inclusive community. It is worth mentioning that MAEBB offers the opportunity of a year-long project with real-scale construction, while prototyping and fabrication processes are central as the program highlights the role of the architect as a hands-on applied maker.

For more information

! Please make sure to check the exact costs, start and deadline dates as well as other details on the official program page.

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Here it is..

..a collection of educational programs that will give you the right tools and knowledge to make a positive impact on the built environment!

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Focus explained

We have grouped the study programs based on their focus, so that you can easily find the one matching your interest. Here below you can find a short explanation of what you will find in each of them.

Building & Design

The program focuses on architectural design, construction and technical infrastructure of the building process.

Space & Territory

The program has a geographical perspective, e.g. urban planning, rural development or public spaces.

Interdisciplinary

The program stands out by combining different sciences or approaches with the aim of giving to the student deeper understanding of the subject of study.

Society

The program emphasizes the human dimension of the built environment, e.g. participatory processes or inclusive designs.

Business & Management

The program addresses how to organize architectural and spatial infrastructures or processes, either for private or public actors.

Materials

The program explores (certain) building materials and/or technical circularity processes.

Digitalisation & Technology

The program emphasizes the technological aspects of the built environment, e.g. BIM, robotics or digitalisation.