In late August, the students of the 2023-24 Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) programme celebrated the final presentation of their thesis project, the Kuka House, and their Graduation Day alongside faculty, family, and friends.

This event marked the culmination of an intensive 11-month journey at IAAC’s Valldaura Labs, during which the students worked collaboratively on a remarkable architectural and ecological project. The Kuka House combines traditional construction techniques with environmental solutions and is specifically designed to house a KUKA robot in a custom-built space at the Valldaura Labs. The entire process, from ideation to execution, was carried out by the graduating students, a diverse group from around the world.

The students’ journey began with months of conceptualization and planning, focused on designing a sustainable, future-proof structure using locally sourced, ecological materials. Over the past few months, the group dedicated themselves to translating this concept into reality. The process began with collaborative design sessions, where abstract ideas are transformed into detailed drawings and specifications. After finalizing the design, they moved into the manufacturing phase, applying engineering principles to create the physical components of the Kuka House.

The structure includes timber beams and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) columns, connected using traditional wood joinery techniques like half-lap joints and mortise and tenon joints, as well as re-used bricks to minimize environmental impact. Sustainable elements in the design include a green roof, featuring native plants like Lavandula stoechas and Sedum rupestre. The roof is built with multiple layers for drainage, root protection, and irrigation, using materials that help manage water drainage and plant growth effectively.

During the construction phase, meticulous attention was given to every aspect of the building, ensuring that it met sustainability standards while also serving the practical needs of future MAEBB cohorts. The final structure underwent a series of tests, assessing its durability, functionality, and ecological impact before the students presented it to a panel of experts.

As with past MAEBB projects, the Kuka House exemplifies IAAC’s commitment to ecological responsibility and forward-thinking design. The building’s use of locally sourced, sustainable materials, along with its energy-efficient design, highlights the program’sprogramme’s dedication to creating environmentally conscious architecture. In the future, the Kuka House will serve as a space for research and experimentation, ensuring that future students will benefit from the hard work of this year’s group.

The final presentation allowed students to showcase their work and receive feedback from industry experts, who served as a valuable resource for critique and insights. After an opening speech by IAAC and MAEBB Co-director Vicente Guallart, the event proceeded with an in-depth presentation by the students, followed by feedback on the project’s execution, design, and long-term vision from the jury, featuring industry professionals Jose Antonio Gras, Elena Orte, Guillermo Sevillano and Carles Enrich.

Following the feedback session, students received their diplomas in a ceremony led by the Master’s faculty and academic coordinator. The day ended with an informal gathering, where students celebrated their hard-earned success with classmates, family, and faculty members.

Discover more about MAEBB past prototypes and apply today!