Master in Mass Timber Design
INTRODUCTION
The Master in Mass Timber Design – MMTD is a 10-month online education program imparting the next generation of architects, designers and engineers with the skills to design, develop and build mass timber buildings.
MMTD provides expertise in theories, cases, techniques, tools and design projections of mass timber construction and the interrelated fields of architecture, structural design, assembly systems, material science and thermodynamics.
The program offers a unique online experience based on advanced design research methodologies, a philosophy of learning by doing, and a community of experts in mass timber design that serve as faculty and lecturers.
In contrast to the traditional Online programs, the Master in Mass Timber Design – a 60 ECTS accredited Master degree consisting in three 15 ECTS postgraduate programs- offers a real-class “virtual” environment, based on a continuous, interactive and collaborative learning process.
Master in Mass Timber Design |
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| Degree | Master in Mass Timber Design is accredited by the School of Professional and Executive Development at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – European Higher Education Area (EHEA) |
| Edition | 2nd edition |
| Credits | 60 ECTS |
| Duration | 10 months – From October 2023 to July 2024 // Full Time |
| Format | Online (synchronous or asynchronous) |
| Language | English |
| Tuition Fee | 8.500€ |
The Master in Mass Timber Design is accredited with 60 ECTS and it’s articulated into 3 modules + a Master Thesis.
Students can apply to each module independently as a postgraduate programme, each one accredited with 15 ECTS.
Postgraduate in Mass Timber Design of Singular Housing and Prototypes |
Postgraduate in Mass Timber Design of Collective Housing |
Postgraduate in Mass Timber Design of Large Facilities |
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| Degree | Postgraduate Diploma by School of Professional and Executive Development at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – European Higher Education Area (EHEA) | Postgraduate Diploma by School of Professional and Executive Development at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – European Higher Education Area (EHEA) | Postgraduate Diploma by School of Professional and Executive Development at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – European Higher Education Area (EHEA) |
| Edition | 2nd edition | 2nd edition | 2nd edition |
| Credits | 15 ECTS | 15 ECTS | 15 ECTS |
| Duration | 3 months // September – December 2022 | 3 months // January 2023 – April 2023 | 3 months // April 2023 – July 2023 |
| Format | September 2022 to August 2023 | September 2022 to August 2023 | September 2022 to August 2023 |
| Language | English | English | English |
| Tuition Fee | 3.800€ | 3.800€ | 3.800€ |
Postgraduate in Mass Timber Design of Singular Housing and Prototypes |
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| Degree | Postgraduate Diploma by School of Professional and Executive Development at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – European Higher Education Area (EHEA) |
| Edition | 1st edition |
| Credits | 15 ECTS |
| Duration | 3 months // September 2021 – December 2021 |
| Format | September 2021 – August 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Tuition Fee | 3.200€ |
Postgraduate in Mass Timber Design of Collective Housing |
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| Degree | Postgraduate Diploma by School of Professional and Executive Development at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – European Higher Education Area (EHEA) |
| Edition | 1st edition |
| Credits | 15 ECTS |
| Duration | 3 months // January 2022 – April 2022 |
| Format | September 2021 – August 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Tuition Fee | 3.200€ |
Postgraduate in Mass Timber Design of Large Facilities |
|
| Degree | Postgraduate Diploma by School of Professional and Executive Development at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – European Higher Education Area (EHEA) |
| Edition | 1st edition |
| Credits | 15 ECTS |
| Duration | 3 months // April 2022 – July 2022 |
| Format | September 2021 – August 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Tuition Fee | 3.200€ |
CONTEXT & AGENDA
The environmental challenges of this century demand a new generation of buildings made from renewable, reusable, and carbon-storing materials; timber is uniquely positioned to address this challenge. Recent technological developments enable tall building structures made with prefabricated and highly industrialized mass timber elements. Educating a new generation of architects, engineers, and designers in ecological design and building practices is therefore of critical importance for contemporary society, and promotes the expertise necessary to make the most of new technical opportunities.
The construction sector is gradually shifting toward prefabrication, industrialization, and off-site manufacturing as these strategies shorten construction time, reduce embedded energy expenditures, reduce CO2 emissions, and reduce waste generation. This shift requires greater design control and increased manufacturing precision, thus positioning architects, engineers, and designers as key actors.
This paradigm shift requires students to learn the key ecological, technological, and technical aspects of mass timber design in order to innovate and emerge as the leading professionals our world requires.
STUDENT PROFILE
For architects, designers, and engineers aiming to become experts in Mass Timber Design and to lead the next generation of highly industrialized and ecologically meaningful buildings.
The MMTD gathers faculty and experts from all around the globe in a unique and innovative virtual format accessible to students from all over the world. The program suits candidates willing to enter into a collaborative environment and interactive learning platform through which they will have the opportunity to obtain the best intellectual, technical, and applied knowledge available.
If you seek to position yourself at the forefront of the current systemic shift in how sustainable architecture is conceived and implemented, the Master in Mass Timber Design is for you!
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Master in Mass Timber Design connects students to an international network of practitioners, global institutions and companies leading mass timber design agendas, research, tools, projects and applications in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) field.
The online environment of this master provides students with the ability to interact with an expansive, international body of faculty members and colleagues in diverse professional contexts that can serve as launching pads for their own careers.
In addition, the MMTD connects a broad array of companies, specialized design firms, industries and institutions that can provide job opportunities for recent graduates of the program in this moment of exponential growth for mass timber building design around the globe.
Guallart Architects, owned by MAEBB co-director Vicente Guallart, has won 1st prize in the international design competition of a mixed use community in the Xiong’an New City. The competition defines a new standard in the post-COVID era, that can be applied as a raw model in different cities around the world. Learn more about the project here.
ACADEMIC STRUCTURE
The MMTD offers a unique online experience based on advanced design research methodologies, a philosophy of learning by doing, and a community of experts in mass timber design that serve as faculty and lecturers.
This module focuses on the research and practice of mass timber design at a small scale. From a singular house to a series of installations and pavilions, students are introduced to the basic topics of structure, thermal performance, assembly processes, digital manufacturing and robotics in mass timber design.
Through this module, students will receive a comprehensive knowledge of discourses, cases, techniques, tools (environmental performance analyses, and parametric design), and design projections pertaining to singular housing units and small prototypes.
This module is composed of the following courses:
- Narrative 1: State of the Art in Single Housing Construction and Prototypes – 2 ECTS
- Cases 1: Analysis of Single Housing and Prototypes – 3 ECTS
- Techniques 1.1: Structural Mass Timber Systems for Single Housing and Prototypes – 2 ECTS
- Techniques 1.2: Performance Design Seminar – 3 ECTS
- Tools 1. Advanced Digital Design: Environmental Analysis Software – 2 ECTS
- Project 1. Studio for the Design of a Mass Timber Singular Housing or Prototype – 2 ECTS
This module focuses on the research and practice of mass timber design of collective housing typologies, where timber is presently experiencing a resurgence. Students are introduced to highly industrialized and off-site manufactured structural timber systems, dry and fast assembly processes, acoustic and fire performance, durability, and contemporary typologies (including tall building design) in mass timber. Through this module, students will receive a comprehensive knowledge of discourses, cases, techniques, tools (building information systems), and projects pertaining to collective housing.
This module is composed of the following courses:
- Narrative 2: State of the Art in Collective Housing – 2 ECTS
- Cases 2: Analysis of Collective Housing – 3 ECTS
- Techniques 2.1: Structural Mass Timber Systems for Collective Housing – 2 ECTS
- Techniques 2.2: Performance Design Seminar – 3 ECTS
- Tools 2. Advanced Digital Design: Building Information Modeling – 2 ECTS
- Project 2. Studio for the Deseing of a Mass Timber Housing – 3 ECTS
This module focuses on the research and practice of mass timber design of large-scale facilities and projects including cultural, sport, educational and industrial facilities. Students are introduced to large scale prefabricated timber structural systems, complex structural solutions, parametric façade design, hybrid systems, complete life cycle analyses and material traceability of buildings in mass timber. Through this module, students will receive a comprehensive knowledge of discourses, cases, techniques, tools (visualization software), and projects pertaining to large-scale facilities.
This module is composed of the following courses:
- Narrative 3: State of the Art in Large Facilities – 2 ECTS
- Cases 3: Analysis of Large Facilities – 3 ECTS
- Techniques 3.1: Structural Mass Timber Systems for Large Facilities – 2 ECTS
- Techniques 3.2: Performance Design Seminar – 3 ECTS
- Tools 3. Advanced Digital Design: Design Visualization Software – 2 ECTS
- Project 3. Studio for the Design of a Mass Timber Housing – 3 ECTS
This module focuses on an integrated timber design project with complete technical development and construction detailing, based on one of the studio projects developed by the student in Modules 1, 2 or 3. Using Building Information Systems (BIM) software and guided by faculty and international experts and consultants, students will develop the complete documentation of a ready-to-build mass timber project.
THE MMTD ONLINE EXPERIENCE
AN ONLINE REAL-CLASS ENVIRONMENT
In contrast to the traditional Online programs and tutorials, the Master in Mass Timber Design offers a real-class “virtual” environment, based on a continuous, interactive and collaborative learning process.
The MMTD is not a solitary experience, as the program gives the possibility to be part of a selected group of international students, seamlessly connected thanks to the most advanced platform for video-conferencing and collaborative working.
The limited number of students (a maximum of 25 per course) ensures that each student can be rigorous and continuously followed by the faculty and the academic coordination team, with dedicated hours for academic counselling and administrative support.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
Students can choose to follow the program in Synchronous or Asynchronous format, according to their time-zone or their personal schedule, and based on tutorials and lectures + mentoring group sessions.
> In the Synchronous format, students follow the tutorials and lectures using a video-conference and collaborative work tool (ZOOM). Immediately after, the course continues with the live mentoring group sessions with the faculty and the other students, in order to review the students’ work and project development.
During the rest of the day, students can develop their work individually or interacting with their colleagues, counting on online conferencing tools and the online campus tools, including online campus platform and chat rooms.
> In the Asynchronous format, tutorials and lectures are recorded daily and shared with the students. After having watched the recorded tutorials and lectures, students join the live mentoring group sessions in video-conference with the faculty and the other students, in order to review their work and project development.
During the rest of the day, students can develop their work individually or interacting with their colleagues, counting on online conferencing tools and the online campus platform, including online forums and chat rooms.
SYNCHRONOUS CALENDAR
Central European Time (CET) // West Africa Time (+1)
Lectures & Tutorials – 10.00 to 12.00
Live Group Mentoring – 12.00 to 13.00
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East European Time / Central Africa Time (+2)
Lectures & Tutorials – 11.00 to 13.00
Live Group Mentoring – 13.00 to 14.00
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Russia / Turkey / East Africa Time (+3)
Lectures & Tutorials – 12.00 to 14.00
Live Group Mentoring – 14.00 to 15.00
*Please note that final schedule might slightly change and could vary according to local daylight savings time
INDIA time
Lectures & Tutorials – 13:30 – 15:30
Live Group Mentoring – 15.30 to 16.30
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CHINA time // West Australia Time
Lectures & Tutorials – 16.00 to 18.00
Live Group Mentoring – 18.00 to 19.00
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EAST AUSTRALIA TIME
Lectures & Tutorials – 18.00 to 20.00
Live Group Mentoring – 20.00 to 21.00
*Please note that final schedule might slightly change and could vary according to local daylight savings time
ASYNCHRONOUS CALENDAR
New York and East Coast Time ECT
Recorded Lectures & Tutorials – Available from 09:00 AM onwards
Live Group Mentoring – following day, 12:00 – 13:00
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Central America and Mexico Time
Recorded Lectures & Tutorials – Available from 08:00 AM onwards
Live Group Mentoring – following day, 11:00 – 12:00 AM
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Los Angeles and West Coast Time
Recorded Lectures & Tutorials – Available from 06:00 AM onwards
Live Group Mentoring – following day, 09:00 – 10:00 AM
*Please note that final schedule might slightly change and could vary according to local daylight savings time
Central European Time (CET) // West Africa Time (+1)
Recorded Lectures & Tutorials – Available from 15:00 onwards
Live Group Mentoring – following day, 18:00 – 19:00
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East European Time / Central Africa Time (+2)
Recorded Lectures & Tutorials – Available from 16:00 onwards
Live Group Mentoring – following day, 19:00 – 20:00
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Russia / Turkey / East Africa Time (+3)
Recorded Lectures & Tutorials – Available from 17:00 onwards
Live Group Mentoring – following day, 20:00 – 21:00
*Please note that final schedule might slightly change and could vary according to local daylight savings time
INDIA time
Recorded Lectures & Tutorials – Available from 18.30 onwards
Live Group Mentoring – following day, 21.30 – 22.30
*Please note that final schedule might slightly change and could vary according to local daylight savings time
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR
Daniel Ibáñez
Daniel Ibáñez is a Spanish practicing architect and urbanist based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He is Doctor of Design at the Harvard GSD and co-director of the Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalunya (IAAC) in Valldaura Self-Sufficient Labs, Barcelona. Since 2017, Daniel is senior urban consultant at the World Bank advising international governments and institution on timber housing and timber urban development.
Daniel´s focus is on the architectural and urban implications of timber construction. He is co-author of the book Wood Urbanism: From Molecular to Territorial (Actar, 2019) and co-organizer of the conference a Harvard GSD in 2014 with the same name. Daniel is co-author and director of several award-winning timber projects including the Fab Lab House (Madrid, 2010), Endesa Pavilion (Oslo, 2013), the Endesa World Fab Condenser (Barcelona, 2014), Ways of Wood (Boston 2017), Tiny House or the Voxel (Barcelona, 2019-2020), some of them exhibited at the Biennale di Venezia 2012, the Oslo Architectural Triennale 2013, or the Design Biennial Boston 2017 among others.
In addition to IAAC, Daniel has taught at several international institutions including Rhode Island School of Design in the School of Architecture, Northeastern University College of Arts, Media and Design, the Universidad Pontificia Católica de Chile in the school of Architecture, Shukhov Lab in the Graduate School of Urbanism, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Escuela Técnica Superior of Architecture of Madrid and Harvard Graduate School of Design.
PROGRAMME FACULTY
The Master in Mass Timber Design connects the students to an international network of faculty, including:
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