The Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture is a 6-month long intensive programme in the field of additive manufacturing of sustainable architecture. Between the use of advanced technology for construction and the desire to develop a holistic design approach to architecture, we engage with different areas of research that include robotic manufacturing, material research and performance-based design. The programme seeks to develop technological and architectural solutions in collaboration with Industry partners to answer the current needs and challenges of our habitat.
INTRODUCTION
Applications for the academic year 2025/26 are now open!
The Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture is a programme of applied research. Rather than imagining an architecture for a long-term future, our aim is to apply state of the art technology to today’s construction paradigm. It is axed around the continuity of the development of a body of research long explored in the Institute together with our industry partners.
The course runs as a partially collective programme with a mixed group of researchers of IAAC’s Master second years and other specialised students with interest in 3d printing, in eco-friendly material research or in the field of housing. The course is structured in 3 phases: Learn, a series of exercises to gain knowledge into the topic followed by Explore, an explorative phase through research and finally Demonstrate, a divided into Project Studio: a design competition and conceptual planning followed by a Large Scale Prototype construction: the construction of a 1:1 prototype that challenges the use of earthen architecture fragments in the built environment.
3DPA |
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| Degree | Postgraduate Diploma in 3D Printing Architecture by University of Lleida (UdL) – European Higher Education Area (EHEA) | |
| Edition | 13th edition | |
| Credits | 45 ECTS | |
| Duration | 6 months – September 2025 to February 2026 – Full Time | |
| Language | English | |
| Tuition Fee | Non-EU: 11.925€ EU: 9.900€ Spanish: 5.963€ 20% discount if you have a Ph.D. in related research fields |
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| Admissions | Higher Education Degree Equivalent (Masters degree) in Engineering, Design, Architecture or other related professions. Ph.D. candidates in applied research fields. Applicants who are not in possession of a Masters degree should demonstrate experience in the fields outlined below: | |
| Additional Eligibility Criteria |
– Experience in 3D modeling (Rhinoceros? or equivalent) and Computational Design ( Grasshopper 3D or equivalent) – Design for Construction, ideally with experience in the construction industry & building site. – Experienced in Digital Fabrication, ideally in Laser Cutting, 3D printing (FDM) and CNC Milling. |
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| Expected programme related expenses |
– Optional 3 weeks Stay in Valldaura Labs at the beginning of the course, cost up to 600 euros (inclu. accommodation and meals) – Material expenses for the collective large scale prototype is covered by IAAC. Material expenses for individual and small group work is to be covered by the students, ranging from 50 to 200 € per month depending on the student’s project. – Transportation costs to IAAC Campus in Barcelona and Valldaura and other services not mentioned are not included are covered by students. – For more information on living expenses in Barcelona check IAAC´s website FAQ section. |
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*Based on academic year 2023-2024.
ACADEMIC STRUCTURE
The programme is divided into three phases:
Phase 1 – Learn:
TECHNE – Craftsmanship and Technology
An experimental and hands-on approach to Additive Manufacturing with robots. Eco-friendly material printing resides in the control of robotic technology and the mastering of its complex materiality.
This 6 weeks long phase emphasises on the development of knowledge at the intersection of craftsmanship and technology in the topics of matter, machine, structure and the built environment through detail, fragments and architecture. This phase sees the students work in small groups in short intense exercises and experiments.
Phase 2 – Explore:
RESEARCH – Building Performance
Research refers to the systematic method consisting of enunciating a problem, formulating a hypothesis, collecting facts and data, analysing the facts and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solution(s) towards the concerned problem, or in certain generalisations for a theoretical formulation.
The second phase is an 8 weeks exploratory studio through Research in building performance on the topics of Geometry, Rigidity, Fibre reinforcements, optimizations and supports*.
*Areas of Research are subject to change from one year to another.
Phase 3 – Demonstrate:
VISION and CONSTRUCTION – Architectural Scale Construction and Design
3D printing, a digital technology, challenges a conventional design approach and requires the elaboration of new strategies partially based on the use of computation. We develop a performance-based approach to design for 3D printed architectural solutions. Within the realms of a design project for a complex humanitarian situation, the design of buildings is the result of a complex negotiation between fulfilling climatic, structural, manufacturing and habitation purposes.
The third phase starts with a collective design competition in which the group capitalises on all the learning of phase 2 in order to develop a design proposal for a 1:1 prototype as a building fragment. The third phase concludes with the group engaging with the construction of a large prototype at 1:1 architectural scale. In parallel, the group will build an architectural design Vision, while documenting and compiling the research into a collective thesis printed document.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Each participant will get intensive experience in large-scale 3D printing and gain the necessary knowledge that accompanies it:
- Digital Fabrication: Robotic Fabrication, 3D printers, Extrusion technologies, Sensors
- Digital tools: 3D modelling, parametric modelling, digital simulation, production of g-code.
- Material research: empirical and scientific methodology in development and testing of new materials.
- Design methodology to provide architectural and constructive solutions for additive manufacturing.by relating design to performance.
- Holistic strategy to provide architectural solutions that consider all aspects of construction: material, energy, economy, manufacturing, policies, users, design, climate, structure.
PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS
In past editions, the 3DPA programme has been the ground for collaborations with industrial partners such as the leading company in 3d printing WASP, structural engineers SOCOTEC, the Colette scholarship and the Living Prototypes Research Innovation, ceramist expert Ceràmica Cumella and multienzymatic for soil providers Vervictech. We have also been working with UN Habitat program on the development of architectural solutions for humanitarian situations and together with LaSalle, SmartCitizen and Scuares as a consultant in architectural visualisation.
STUDENT PROFILE
The Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture is aimed at architects, engineers, designers, material engineers, mechanical engineers. The course aims to specialise these people to address a new reality in construction, architecture, and the fields that relate to it, in which new technologies will largely affect the way we think and build.
After completing the Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture, the students will be apt to work within the fields of architecture and engineering providing expertise and knowledge in topics such as robotic construction, additive manufacturing, parametric design. They are also encouraged and apt to further their career within the realm of non-governmental organisations that develop housing projects in problematic humanitarian situations.
Once successfully finished, IAAC students will then join the IAAC Alumni Community, an active and dynamic network of visionary professionals spread around the world, promoting principles and applications of Advanced Architecture and exploring new academic and research initiatives, leading to award-winning practices or working for internationally acclaimed firms and institutions.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Before reading the project proposal of the Scholarship Competition 2019 for the Open Thesis Fabrication (OTF) programme, please read the general requirements and main guidelines to be followed in order to make sure that you are an eligible candidate to participate: iaac.net/scholarships
PROJECT PROPOSAL: “WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR A 3D PRINTED ARCHITECTURE?”
It is now commonly acknowledged that 3d printing is a technology that will dominate the construction industry in the coming years. While technology is in constant development it seems that the form of the architecture that will emerge is still undefined.
The Open Thesis Fabrication focuses on the use of natural materials and additive manufacturing in architecture and attempts to invent new built forms for this new realm. The launch of this call for a full scholarship takes the form of a question to which you are asked to provide your own answer. For the OTF Scholarship Competition, we invite participants to answer the following question: What is your vision for a 3D printed architecture?
Required material
- Submit a single A4 sheet that can contain any type of information (text, drawings, sketches, renderings, diagrams, references…) with the aim of answering the question posed for the competition.
To apply the candidates should fill up the Scholarship Application Form at this link and upload their projects in there.
COMPETITION DEADLINES
Start and end dates to be released soon.
PAST PROJECTS
IAAC designs and constructs Spain’s first 3D printed building using earth and Crane WASP.
The 2019 Open Thesis Fabrication (OTF) research aims at achieving a sustainable and structurally stable construction system using km-0 robotic additive manufacturing. Building Architecture Continuity employs…
Digital Adobe is an innovative research agenda oriented to producing architectural solutions with natural materials and additive manufacturing or 3d printing. The technology, developed in…
TerraPerforma - 3D Printed Performative Wall The project TerraPerforma focuses on large scale 3D printing, the influence of additive manufacturing on building with a traditional material…
Digital Urban Orchard is a research project of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, realized as part of the Open Thesis Fabrication 2015/16. The pavilion is the prototype of…
Fusta Robòtica is a research project realized as part of the Open Thesis Fabrication 2015. IaaC OTF 2015 Fusta Robòtica is an experimental project that…
The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), based in Barcelona, has, for some time now, been exploring and investigating the potentials of additive manufacturing…
FACULTY
Directors:
Edouard Cabay
Alexandre Dubor
Coordinator:
Yara Tayoun
Internal Faculty:
Ashkan Foroughi, 3DPA Computation Expert
Oriol Carrasco , 3DPA Fabrication Expert
Elisabetta Carnavale, 3DPA Material Expert
Guillem Baraut, 3DPA Structural Expert
Gloria Font, 3DPA Climat Expert
Josep Alcover, 3DPA Visualisation Expert
Faculty Assistants:
Secil Afsar, 3DPA Fabrication Assistant
Aslinur Taskin, 3DPA Fabrication Support
Collaborators:
Colette, Philanthropic organisation
3D WASP, Large Scale 3D printing
UN-Habitat, Humanitarian scenarios
SOCOTEC, Structural Consultant
LaSalle, Climat consultant
SmartCitizen, Sensor Monitoring
Josep Alcover Llubia, Squares
Ceràmica Cumella, ceramist expert
Living Prototypes Research Innovation
Acknowledgements:
Areti Markopoulou, Mathilde Marengo, Ricardo Mayor, Shyam Zonca, Pilar Xiquez, Ariannet Arias, Gabriel Frederick, Nicolas Rodriguez, Daniela Figueroa Claros, Laura Ruggeri, Xavier Molons, Jorge Ramirez, Jordi Guizán Bedoya
COLLABORATIVE COMPANIES
SOCOTEC is a leading inspection, testing and compliance company.
SOCOTEC’s vision and values provide guidance to ensure that all its employees work towards the same goal in an ethical manner. For nearly 70 years, SOCOTEC has been dedicated to auditing, inspecting, and securing new construction, infrastructure, and building or installation renovation projects, with the aim of ensuring safety, sustainability, and inclusiveness. At the core of SOCOTEC’s operations lies the commitment to ensuring asset integrity as an independent and trusted third party. The company’s purpose is to “Build trust for a safer and sustainable world.”
The family workshop CERÀMICA CUMELLA, founded in 1880 in Granollers (Barcelona), originally devoted to the manufacturing of traditional ceramics and pottery for daily use, has finally become the central core of an intense public and professional activity. Ceràmica Cumella has lately experienced a notorious increase in the industrial production of serial pieces -floorings, socles, lattices, coatings, steps, modular elements undoubtedly specific in many cases since they are ordered pieces. Cumella with the conviction of a necessary integration of technical tradition and innovative process, encouraging with a steady hand and continued research, for example, on the definition of colours and the manufacturing of the corresponding glazes, both for mechanical or manual applications; or on finding solutions on how to keep up with present technological requirement. Toni Cumella spontaneously associates craftsmanship with serial production, personalisation, adaptability, history and culture, not necessarily by this order. He sees it all as a use of concepts, techniques and processes so as to achieve a specific form of life.
For 28 years now, Santa & Cole has lived for industrial design, an art consisting of focusing on everyday objects in order to seek a better use experience, thereby leading us to reflect upon material culture. Santa& Cole generates elements of domestic and urban furniture and lighting, plant elements (living matter) and books (likewise alive). A range that is only apparently dispersed, converging upon a single concern: not to accumulate, but rather to select; not to enjoy quantity, but rather quality. Santa & Cole is organised around four core themes: 1. Strategy, Structure and Knowledge, 2. Editing Policy, 3. The Importance of Design for Santa & Cole and 4. Policy Knowledge Management.
CRICURSA was founded in 1928 with the intention of bringing form, material and processing into high technology glass bending, in order to explore the possibilities of bent glass as a decorative element. After more than 8o years of experience, it now offers architectural glass, curved and flat interior and exterior glass, and is present in many of the most famous architectural works around the world. Passionate about architecture, creativity and innovation, their aim is to continue inspiring the best engineers and architects in the world, in close collaboration with Facades and installers and all professionals, partnering CRICURSA to the efficiency and capacity to deliver ideas and concepts of the designers.
Tecnalia is a private, independent, non-profit applied research centre of international excellence. The whole team at Tecnalia has one goal: to transform knowledge into GDP, meaning wealth to improve people’s quality of life by generating business opportunities for industry. Tecnalia is committed to generating major impacts in economic terms, by means of innovation and technological development, addressed by 6 business divisions, covering economic sectors of Energy, Industry, Transportation, Construction, Health and ICT. Tecnalia has been granted over 250 patents and promoted more than 30 spin-off companies.
3D printing is WASP’s heart since a small and fast printer that materialises objects made of bio-plastic, clay, silicone and biocompatible materials, which mills wood and aluminium, makes it easy to start mini-productions and to create what you need by yourself. The aim of WASP is to build ‘zero-mile’ homes, using materials found on the surrounding area. A similar project requires that the machine be portable and features low energy consumption, since in large areas of the planet, there is no electricity at all. It must therefore be able to use renewable energies such as sun, wind and water.
Vervictech works in the introduction of the Multienzymatic “SYSTEM”, applied to the different markets and sectors of the economy, through sales, technical support “IN SITU” throughout different projects and sectors: for road infrastructure projects, waterproofing of natural soils, using the PERMA-ZYME® solution, they apply their “SYSTEM” of compaction, using natural products based on organic multienzymatic compounds, with the objective of improving the base and sub-base of the pavement.
Since 2020 we are collaborating with the Institut D’Arquitectura Avançada de Catalunya (IAAC) in international 3D printing projects with native soils, providing our multienzymatic as a means of agglutination and stability improvement.
STUDENTS LIFE
Discover students’ speeches reflecting on their unique experiences at IAAC, shared during the IAAC Graduation Day 2024.
3DPA started the collaboration with WASP in 2021-22 building TOVA.
The directors of 3DPA have been interviewed by Cactus Media for Stoneweg TV about the transformative impact of innovative technologies.