Course Details

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.

The programme provides expertise in the application of the latest digital softwares for design simulation, analysis and optimization of digital data in architecture, offering a broad and advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of computational design.

Based on a Data Driven, Learning by doing and Design by Research methodology, the master offers a unique online educational experience.

Prompt: “A building generated by artificial intelligence” – Image generated with Midjourney

Competition Details

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia announces every year a Scholarship Competition giving our master’s applicants the chance to win partial scholarships covering 50%, 30%, 20% of the tuition fee of each IAAC’s Educational Programme.

Project Brief

“Building Hallucinations” – The current hype of AI-powered tools for synthetic image generation from text prompt powered by research initiatives such as Midjourney, Dall-e, Imagen and others is undoubtedly proposing alluring promises as well as difficult questions and challenges to the architectural trade. 

These tools currently serve as means of inspiration for creators, usually providing unforeseen marvellous hallucinations from textual input, but lack the ability to create models with the complexity of everything that a building currently requires. 

In parallel, the tendency in the architectural trade seems to indicate that the building creation process requires a model of a dimensionality far more complex than the two or three dimensions that were usually required for its representation. This concept is well encapsulated in the so-called Building Information Model. 

Counterposing this trend with the current inability of AI generative models to create entities with the complexity that a building currently requires pose a provocative question: 

– Is AI able to generate complex building models? –

The MaCAD Building Hallucinations competition accepts creative proposals for how the current trend of AI generative models can be converted, interpreted or improved into spatial data that can be used beyond inspiration for design and into the generation of 3D buildings with a higher degree of complexity. The proposal must contain:

  1. A conceptual proposal, an idea with a degree of feasibility of how AI can produce buildings in three dimensions with additional properties. Must be submitted as text in .pdf including conceptual diagrams.
  2. One or many provocative, speculative images representing how you envision the building has been created by AI. This image(s) must be generated by an AI algorithm and must consider building specific aspects such as three-dimensionality, tectonics, building parts, etc..  
  3. Optional: A small proof of concept of how this conceptual proposal could be developed your proposed AI Building generation model. Should be submitted in the form of a link to a github repository with all instructions and files needed to replicate and must include and highlight your personal contribution if forking an existing repo.

Evaluation:

  • Detail, creativity, clarity and feasibility of the proposal will be considered. 
  • Aesthetic and feasibility of the building in the final images will be considered. 
  • Inclusion of a proof of concept will be highly valued. 

Who can participate?

In order to participate, candidates interested in the Scholarship Competition must fulfill the Eligibility Criteria as described in the IAAC Guide for Applicants.

 

How to apply for the scholarship?

To apply, each candidate should visit the Application Portal, register, select the programme they wish to apply for, upload the necessary supporting documents and finally upload their Scholarship project proposal as an additional Supporting Document.

The full list of mandatory supporting documents to prepare for the Scholarship Competition are the following:

1) Letter of intent written in English
2) A Portfolio showcasing samples of your work in English
3) CV (Curriculum Vitae/ Resume).
4) Two letters of recommendation written in English
5) A scanned copy of your bachelor’s diploma.
6) A copy of your valid passport (or I.D. if you are a citizen of a member state of the EU.)
7) The scholarship project proposal which corresponds to the Selected Programme’s proposal topic.

Important: A 50€ Application fee (non-refundable) is to be paid to submit your application.

For more detailed information on the Supporting Documents listed above please consult the IAAC Guide for Applicants.

 

Important Deadlines

  • Start date: 1st December 2022 – 00:00 (CET)
  • End date: 31st January 2023 – 23:59 (CET)
  • Winners announced: 17th February 2023

 

Selection and Evaluation Process

Once an application is received, the Admissions Coordinator will start reviewing the submitted applications to check whether they meet all eligibility requirements. Once the eligibility check is completed, Applicants will be informed of the outcome by email.

For more information refer to the IAAC Guide for Applicants.

 

The Selection Committee

The Jury will be integrated by master programme Directors, faculty and special guests and professionals coming from the different topics to be addressed by the competitions.

 

Winners Announcement

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia will inform all applicants on the results of their scholarship application on February 17th 2023.

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