IAAC - Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia

Architecture research with real-world reach

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) is a Barcelona-based center for education, research, and innovation in advanced architecture, urbanism, design, and digital fabrication. It combines graduate programs with applied research and prototype development, connecting academic experimentation with real-world applications.

Academic programs

IAAC offers master's programs for architects and innovators, including:

• Master in Advanced Architecture (in person)
• Master in Ecological Architecture & Advanced Construction (in person)
• Master in AI for Architecture and Business Innovation (in person)
• Master in Advanced Computational Design for Architecture (online)
• Master in Design for Emergent Futures (in person)

IAAC held its 2026 graduation ceremony at L'Hivernacle in Barcelona, celebrating more than 200 graduates from the 2024–25 and 2025–26 cohorts across its master's programs.

Research and labs

Research is organized across four labs that approach architecture and urbanism through interdisciplinary collaboration:

• Advanced Architecture Lab (AAG): applied research in architecture and cities, with a focus on decarbonization and inclusion.
• Fab Lab Barcelona: a design and fabrication lab that helps communities around the world apply design and technology.
• Valldaura Labs: a research campus focused on the future of self-sufficient habitats.

The labs collaborate with cities, industry groups, and research centers, including the Barcelona City Council, MIT, CITA, and Sci-Arc, as well as companies such as Cisco and Endesa. Some research is funded through European Union projects.

History and recent work

In 2026, IAAC marked its 25th anniversary at Barcelona City Hall's Saló de Cent with the presentation of Arquitecturas Avanzadas 2001-2051. That year, its end-of-year exhibition, Architects of Change. Prototyping the Future, at the IAAC Atelier Building featured experimental prototypes and awards for outstanding projects. IAAC also launched its 2026 architectural 3D-printing summer camp at Valldaura Labs in collaboration with WASP, and announced the first two recipients of the fully funded Bosch Aymerich International Scholarship Programme, which connects Spanish graduates with MIT faculty for research.

Locations

IAAC has several locations in Barcelona: the IAAC Atelier Building at Carrer de Pujades 59, 08005 Barcelona; the IAAC City Campus; and the IAAC Forest Campus at Valldaura Labs. The published contact address is C. de Pujades, 102, Poblenou, 08005 Barcelona.

Contact

• Phone: +34 933 209 520
• General email: info@iaac.net
• Press: press@iaac.net