IAAC

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) is a research center and graduate school based in Barcelona, Spain. It focuses on architecture, urban design, and digital fabrication, with an emphasis on computational design, sustainable systems, and the integration of emerging technologies into building practice. IAAC operates as a multidisciplinary hub that brings together researchers, practitioners, and students from around the world and collaborates with universities, industry, and public institutions.

Programs and activities at IAAC include graduate-level study in architecture and related disciplines, along with residencies, workshops, and public lectures. The center is known for its emphasis on experimental design, parametric tools, and digital fabrication as means to explore new approaches to architecture and urbanism. In addition to formal programs, IAAC hosts research initiatives, collaborations, and visiting scholars that contribute to its international curriculum and project-based learning.

Facilities at IAAC include Fab Lab Barcelona, a digital fabrication facility that provides access to tools such as 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, and computational design resources. The institute also stages exhibitions, conferences, and seminars that showcase experimental projects and foster dialogue among designers, engineers, and planners. IAAC maintains a network of partner institutions and collaborators worldwide to support knowledge exchange and joint research.

Impact and philosophy: IAAC aims to advance architectural thinking through hands-on fabrication, computational methods, and a focus on sustainability and urban resilience. Its work encompasses experimental architecture, smart and responsive systems, and digitally driven design processes, contributing to international conversations on how technology can shape contemporary cities.