ABOUT

The Advanced Architecture Group (AAG) is an interdisciplinary research group of IAAC exploring how creative design driven by science can positively impact and transform the present and future of cities, buildings and public spaces.

Located in Barcelona and operating across the world, AAG investigates emerging technologies of Computation and Digital Manufacturing combined with scientific advancements from the fields of Data Science, Biology, Material Science, Ecology and Robotics.

We develop research and innovative projects in three main areas of expertise:

Architecture and Digital Technologies

Implementing novel solutions for energy efficient, circular buildings and digital construction through new materials, digital twins, robotics and 3d printing. 

Architecture and Ecology:

Enhancing biodiversity and ecological systems in cities and buildings by implementing nature based solutions and co-design with  living systems 

Architecture and Urban Data

Developing novel solutions and tools for sustainable and inclusive city planning through urban analytics, digital twins, and technology-mediated participatory design processes.

Our services include research and development of innovative architectural solutions and tools, design and manufacturing consultancy, executive training and curation of events and publications  within our areas of expertise. 

Our work includes 19 European & public funded projects since 2015, as well as a consolidated network of collaborating industrial and institutional partners.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES

The MAA is oriented towards architects, engineers and designers, eager to imagine the future of our cities and societies and committed to building it in the present.

read more?

The Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design – MaCAD is a unique online programme training a new generation of architects, engineers and designers with the skills that the industry of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) demands nowadays.

read more?
PHD

Developed in partnership with the Australian Swinburne University of Technology, the PhD programme runs in an OffShore modality, allowing researchers to develop their research in IAAC’s Barcelona campus, developing a period of research in the Melbourne based facilities of Swinburne, and receiving the title from this same university, ranked in the top 3% of universities worldwide.

read more?

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES

Master in Advanced Architecture – MAA

The MAA is oriented towards architects, engineers and designers, eager to imagine the future of our cities and societies and committed to building it in the present.

read more?

Master in City & Technology

The MaCT is orientated towards training change makers that city administrations, governments, industries, and communities need, in order to develop projects for the transformation of our cities in the era of big data.

read more?

Master in Robotics and Advanced Construction – MRAC

The Master in Robotics and Advanced Construction (MRAC) seeks to train a new generation of interdisciplinary professionals who are capable of facing our growing need for a more sustainable and optimised construction eco-system. The Master is focused on the emerging design and market opportunities arising from novel robotic and advanced manufacturing systems.

read more?

MACAD – Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design

The Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design – MaCAD is a unique online programme training a new generation of architects, engineers and designers with the skills that the industry of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) demands nowadays.

read more?

3DPA – Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture

The Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture is a 6-month long intensive applied research 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.

read more?

IAAC-SWIN offshore PhD programme

Developed in partnership with the Australian Swinburne University of Technology, the PhD programme runs in an OffShore modality, allowing researchers to develop their research in IAAC’s Barcelona campus, developing a period of research in the Melbourne based facilities of Swinburne, and receiving the title from this same university, ranked in the top 3% of universities worldwide.

read more?

EUROPEAN FUNDED RESEARCH

URBiNAT

EU Project URBiNAT (2018-2023) Description URBiNAT focuses on the regeneration and integration of deprived districts in urban development through innovative Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) - an…

read more?
Innochain

EU Project InnoChain (2015-2019) Description The InnoChain ETN network aims to expand, synthesise and consolidate knowledge into computation-informed building design practice across academia and practice. This…

read more?
KAAU

EU Project KAAU - Knowledge Alliance for Advanced Urbanism (2015-2018) Description KAAU group works for the sensitive integration of ICT in cities, taking in consideration cultural…

read more?
Active Public Space

EU Project Active Public Space (2015-2017) Description Active Public Space (APS) is an initiative focused in the transformation of city public spaces into active and dynamic…

read more?
CFC

EU Project Creative Food Cycles (2018-2020) Description “Creative Food Cycles” enhances innovative and creative practices between food, architecture and conviviality in a transnational and European…

read more?
BUILDS

EU Project BUILDS – Building Urban Intelligent Living Design Solutions (2019-2021) Description “BUILDS” aims to fill the gap in the biotechnology sector applied to smart…

read more?
Public Play Space

EU Project Public Play Space Description Public Play Space EU-funded project attempts to provide with innovative and pioneering practices, in a transnational and European perspective,…

read more?
ROS

EU grants IAAC to support education in Robotics for the construction industry IAAC has recently been selected by the ROSIN European project to develop the…

read more?
Pop Machina

EU Project Pop – Machina (Number 821479) Description Promoting a more circular production paradigm, engaging communities, and promoting urban and community development can be achieved…

read more?
Living Prototypes

Living Prototypes Digital Fabrication Processes and Prototypes for Resource-Conscious Living Spaces “Living Prototypes” is a Collaborative Project on digitally fabricated prototypes for residential buildings, using…

read more?
Better Factory

The project “Better CNC Factory” aims to reduce wood waste from CNC production by deploying Industry 4.0 strategies (digital twin, automation, workflow and material optimization)…

read more?
Recycled 3D Staircase

The project aims to show how cross-sectoral innovation can bring new solutions to integrate waste in the 3D printing of construction elements. Robotic technologies (such…

read more?

EUROPEAN FUNDED RESEARCH

Urbinat

EU Project URBiNAT (2018-2023) Description URBiNAT focuses on the regeneration and integration of deprived districts in urban development through innovative Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) - an…

read more?

InnoChain

EU Project InnoChain (2015-2019) Description The InnoChain ETN network aims to expand, synthesise and consolidate knowledge into computation-informed building design practice across academia and practice. This…

read more?

KAAU

EU Project KAAU - Knowledge Alliance for Advanced Urbanism (2015-2018) Description KAAU group works for the sensitive integration of ICT in cities, taking in consideration cultural…

read more?

Active Public Space

EU Project Active Public Space (2015-2017) Description Active Public Space (APS) is an initiative focused in the transformation of city public spaces into active and dynamic…

read more?

Creative Food Cycles

EU Project Creative Food Cycles (2018-2020) Description “Creative Food Cycles” enhances innovative and creative practices between food, architecture and conviviality in a transnational and European…

read more?

BUILDS

EU Project BUILDS – Building Urban Intelligent Living Design Solutions (2019-2021) Description “BUILDS” aims to fill the gap in the biotechnology sector applied to smart…

read more?

Public Play Space

EU Project Public Play Space Description Public Play Space EU-funded project attempts to provide with innovative and pioneering practices, in a transnational and European perspective,…

read more?

Teaching ROS for the construction industry

EU grants IAAC to support education in Robotics for the construction industry IAAC has recently been selected by the ROSIN European project to develop the…

read more?

Pop-Machina

EU Project Pop – Machina (Number 821479) Description Promoting a more circular production paradigm, engaging communities, and promoting urban and community development can be achieved…

read more?

Living Prototypes

Living Prototypes Digital Fabrication Processes and Prototypes for Resource-Conscious Living Spaces “Living Prototypes” is a Collaborative Project on digitally fabricated prototypes for residential buildings, using…

read more?

DIGIPROT

EU Project DIGIPROT (2021-2022) Description DIGIPROT integrates advanced robotics technologies, artificial intelligence techniques and digital modeling in order to reconstruct the energy model of an…

read more?

Better CNC Factory

The project “Better CNC Factory” aims to reduce wood waste from CNC production by deploying Industry 4.0 strategies (digital twin, automation, workflow and material optimization)…

read more?

Recycled 3D Staircase

The project aims to show how cross-sectoral innovation can bring new solutions to integrate waste in the 3D printing of construction elements. Robotic technologies (such…

read more?

NATIONAL AND INDUSTRY FUNDED RESEARCH

CO-MIDA : HUERTOS VERTICALES IMPRESOS EN 3D CON ARCILLA QUE PRODUCEN ENERGÍA Click here for the English version La inauguración del huerto vertical CO-mida en…

read more?
Robotic Fasade

A team formed by the study Isern associats, Ceramica Cumella and the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) has built a musical robotic facade made with a robot that translates Max Richter’s music in lines on ceramics.

read more?
3D Printed

The first pedestrian bridge printed in 3D in the world was inaugurated last December 14 in the urban park of Castilla-La Mancha in Alcobendas, Madrid.…

read more?

Project CGV: CYBER GREEN VOLTAICS (2018-2019) Description Green wall built in clay with 3D printer that incorporates biophotovoltaic technology Call Agrupaciones Empresariales Innovadoras (AEI 2018)…

read more?
On Site Robotics

ON SITE ROBOTICSBringing Robotics to the Construction Site to Manufacture the Future On Site Robotics is a collaborative project of IAAC and TECNALIA, which demonstrates…

read more?
DIGIPROT

EU Project DIGIPROT (2021-2022) Description DIGIPROT integrates advanced robotics technologies, artificial intelligence techniques and digital modeling in order to reconstruct the energy model of an…

read more?

NATIONAL AND INDUSTRY FUNDED RESEARCH

CO-MIDA

CO-MIDA : HUERTOS VERTICALES IMPRESOS EN 3D CON ARCILLA QUE PRODUCEN ENERGÍA Click here for the English version La inauguración del huerto vertical CO-mida en…

read more?

Musical Robotic Façade

A team formed by the study Isern associats, Ceramica Cumella and the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) has built a musical robotic facade made with a robot that translates Max Richter’s music in lines on ceramics.

read more?

3D printed bridge

The first pedestrian bridge printed in 3D in the world was inaugurated last December 14 in the urban park of Castilla-La Mancha in Alcobendas, Madrid.…

read more?

CGV: CYBER GREEN VOLTAICS

Project CGV: CYBER GREEN VOLTAICS (2018-2019) Description Green wall built in clay with 3D printer that incorporates biophotovoltaic technology Call Agrupaciones Empresariales Innovadoras (AEI 2018)…

read more?

On Site Robotics

ON SITE ROBOTICSBringing Robotics to the Construction Site to Manufacture the Future On Site Robotics is a collaborative project of IAAC and TECNALIA, which demonstrates…

read more?

PUBLICATIONS

IAAC Bits Journal: Learning Cities – Get your copy Today

Learning Cities, the 10th issue of IAAC BITS is out now. Get your copy today!

read more?

IAAC Bits Journal: Black Ecologies – get your copy today

The IAAC BITS journal is a collective container of knowledge developed by the Advanced Architecture Group of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. The…

read more?

RESPONSIVE CITIES – DISRUPTING THROUGH CIRCULAR DESIGN

The ‘Responsive Cities - Disrupting though circular design" proceedings, is a collection of research projects that promote alternative design solutions to the current resources-consuming and…

read more?

RESPONSIVE CITIES – URBANISM IN THE EXPERIENCE AGE

"Smart City", is an expression of the Information Age, a period dominated by the accumulation of information, its organization, and transmission through centralized monitoring systems…

read more?

Active Public Space: “How to” Guide

IAAC coordinates the EU-co-funded project ‘Active Public Space‘ (APS) with the aim of developing knowledge on public space throughout Europe as a means of engagement…

read more?

FOOD INTERACTIONS CATALOGUE

COLLECTION OF BEST PRACTICES The change of paradigm regarding food as urban element is provoking major innovations in the concepts and modes of food culture…

read more?

DESIGN TRANSACTIONS

RETHINKING INFORMATION MODELLING FOR A NEW MATERIAL AGE Design Transactions presents the outcome of new research to emerge from ‘Innochain’, a consortium of six leading…

read more?

PEOPLE

Academic Director of IAAC / Advanced Architecture Group Director / MAA Director / MaAI Co-director

Head of EU Projects / MAA01 Faculty

MAA Coordinator / MAA Faculty

MaCAD Coordinator / IAAC Global Summer School Lead

MAA and MRAC faculty / Expert in Digital Fabrication

Computational Design Specialist

Fabrication expert / MAA Faculty

Urban Computational Lead / MaCT Faculty

Student Services Secretary / MAA Coordination Assistant

Academic Secretary

MaCAD Director // MAA Faculty

Kevin-Matar

MAA02 Coordinator / MAA Faculty

Fabrication Laboratory Assistant

Digital and Robotic Fabrication Expert / CIEE Faculty

Fabrication Laboratory Assistant

Digital Fabrication Assistant

MaAI Coordinator // MAA Faculty

EU Project Manager

EU Junior Project Manager & Researcher

Lab manager / MAA & MACT Faculty

EU Junior Designer & Researcher

EU Erasmus+ Project Manager / Faculty

EU Junior Project Manager & Researcher

EU Junior Project Manager & Researcher

EU Junior Project Manager & Researcher