IAAC officially kicked off the research studios in January 2025. As part of the Digital Matter agenda and within the framework of CiD Innovation Alliance, the students participated in an exclusive masterclass on materials delivered by the scientific director of MaterFAD, Robert Thompson Casas.
The masterclass began with a foundational discussion on material flows, where students explored how materials can break free from the linear production-consumption cycle and the ways in which they can be part of a circular supply chain. Besides circularity, regenerative materials that are designed to replenish or restore the environment were emphasized and various approaches to promote resilience in nature were highlighted, inspiring the students to rethink material systems design.
Students were also introduced materials tailored to withstand disasters such as fires, floods and earthquakes. These discussions illustrated the importance of performance evaluation and material properties and promoted the development of material systems that address current environmental challenges.
In this context, MaterFAD stands as a valuable Barcelona Observatory member for research and development of materials for various fields. Beyond offering an online and offline repository of innovative materials, they also provide educational content, lectures/talks, description on manufacturing processes, certifications for sustainability and other critical information that supports the learning path of the students. Through accessing and critically evaluating these resources, the students can gain a comprehensive understanding of how materials are developed, tested and applied within various industries.
The session was concluded by interacting with material samples, allowing students to observe and evaluate properties like texture, weight and strength first hand. Being able to experience different materials deepened their understanding of the applications and limitations of innovative materials.
This visit was also a part of a broader project called CiD Innovation Alliance, co-founded by the European Union and is being implemented in the Digital Matter studio. One of the objectives of the CiD project is to bridge academia and industry by fostering collaboration between designers and stakeholders in the material innovation landscape. Through this masterclass, students had the unique opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals, gaining exposure to challenges and opportunities within the sector.