NEXT. Thesis Project of the Master in Architecture, 2023-2024 by iesoad2

THESIS PROJECT OF THE MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2023-2024

NEXT.

THESIS PROJECT OF THE MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE, 2023-2024

Foreword _ Ben van Berkel

Licensed to Mean _ Marcela Aragüez

Uncertainty, Creativity, and Rigor _ Fernando G. Pino

FOREWORD

Ben van Berkel Founder and Principal Architect, UNStudio; Master in Architecture Thesis Chair

The collaboration between IE University and UNStudio for the Master in Architecture (MArch) programme has been a remarkable example of synergy between academia and professional practice. Such a partnership successfully bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application and offers students a unique and forward-thinking educational experience.

At UNStudio we are renowned for innovative and sustainable architectural solutions and we have brought this expertise to the MArch programme by contributing to the curriculum design, workshops and mentorship. The programme emphasises the integration of technology, sustainability, and design thinking, aligning perfectly with our core values at UNStudio. This alignment has allowed students to gain insights into cutting-edge architectural practices while addressing global challenges such as urbanisation, climate change, social inequality and digital transformation.

Focusing on the concept of Circularity and design for Living, our partnership with IE University has facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas between academia and practice. UNStudio’s involvement has enriched the programme with contemporary industry perspectives, while IE University’s academic

rigour has contributed to UNStudio’s ongoing exploration of innovative design methodologies.

One of the highlights of this collaboration for me has been the hands-on Amsterdam Lab workshop led by UNStudio professionals on location. Over a period of almost three weeks the students were provided with the opportunity to work on real-world site, tackling complex design problems under the guidance of UNStudio architects and urbanists.

The collaboration has also extended beyond the classroom, with students participating in urban walks and visits to key working and living projects in the Netherlands, meeting professionals from multiple design disciples, both inside and outside of the UNStudio professional ecosystem. This exposure has prepared them to navigate the evolving demands of the architectural profession, while this practical approach has not only enhanced their design skills but also fostered critical thinking and creativity.

I am delighted that the partnership for the MArch programme has been a successful endeavor and has equipped students with the skills and knowledge to become future leaders in architecture, while also reinforcing UNStudio’s commitment to shaping the next generation of design professionals.

LICENSE TO MEAN

Marcela Aragüez Director of the Master in Architecture

In a licensing-granting program like the Master in Architecture at IE University, the Final Thesis presents a unique opportunity to propose bold ideas, rethink conventions, and engage with urgent challenges while transitioning from the classroom to the field. This book is a celebration of that transition. It showcases the work of the first graduating class of the program—a diverse group of students who have met the challenge to reflect on Circular Living with determination, curiosity, and willingness to experiment. Their projects are not just academic exercises; they are innovative reflections of the discipline they now enter—complex, ambitious, and deeply engaged with real-world concerns.

At the heart of the Master in Architecture is the belief that architecture is about impact, and that professional licensure now only allows us to build. It is a license to mean, to shape the built environment with rigour, passion, and dedication. As architects,

our graduates step onto a path shaped by constant change, entering a world that demands adaptability, responsibility, and the courage to rethink the future. But this path is never taken alone. This first edition of the Master in Architecture has been made possible through the dedication and guidance of an extraordinary faculty cohort— mentors who have challenged, supported, and inspired our students at every step. Their expertise, passion, and commitment have shaped the intellectual and creative foundation of this program. I would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to our partners at UNStudio, whose collaboration has enriched the experience of our students in invaluable ways. The Amsterdam Workshop, an immersive three-week exploration at UNStudio’s headquarters, has provided our students with an unparalleled opportunity to engage with cutting-edge architectural practice. This partnership exemplifies the dynamic exchange between academia

and professional practice that we strive to foster at IE University. And of course, none of this would be possible without the tireless work of our staff, who ensure that the ideas cultivated in our studios and classrooms find the space and resources to thrive.

To our graduates: as you step beyond the walls of the university, know that architecture is both a privilege and a responsibility. Your work will define the way people experience and interact with the world. The choices you make—about materials, sustainability, space, and function—will have lasting impacts. Carry this responsibility with confidence, humility, and a constant hunger for knowledge.

And to those turning these pages: may this collection of work serve as a testament to the potential of architecture when driven by dedication, expertise, and vision.

This is just the beginning.

UNCERTAINTY, CREATIVITY, AND RIGOR

Fernando García Pino: Thesis Director

We can understand our design work as a series of actions on a fluid, ever-changing game board—a surface with variable depth, sometimes nearly laminar, other times unfathomable—filled with latent content, brimming with sensitive, activatable matter. This matter exists in a state of suspended energy, waiting to be revealed or set in motion by the trained gaze of an architectural zahorí, uncovering what is essential and giving our design its true raison d’être.

The uncertainty and mutability of the very starting points—those decisions that initiate the extensive chain of choices inherent in any architectural project—remain with us intensely throughout its development.

From the magma of complexity and indeterminacy that constitutes this preexisting fluid of data, we extract a specific combination, shaping a personal approach to meeting requirements and addressing questions. These responses are constructed through the expertise we have honed in the repeated practice of design, as well as through the knowledge acquired from

studying the work of those who have previously confronted similar challenges.

A well-conceived architectural project always provides both particularized and universal responses. It defines systems, establishes reference frameworks and, in the best cases, even shifts paradigm. It takes form through concrete and coherent strategies, developed without losing sight of the ambition of its initial aspirations and desires. Whether on paper or ultimately built, architecture positions itself within the realm of the possible, inherently optimistic —even when uncertainty looms large.

Anyone engaged in fully defining an architectural project, down to its finest detail, should maintain confidence in striking a balance between rigor and bold, creative propositions. In this way, each project becomes a vital manifesto, selecting the elements that will be considered essential in defining one’s own architectural approach, both in the present and in the future. To propose and build architecture is to take a stand on the challenges of each design moment.

In the Final Thesis of the Master in Architecture, students learn to skillfully develop a complete architectural project with precision and efficiency, navigating both its conceptual and propositional aspects as well as its technical and legal dimensions. The Final Thesis serves as a culminating laboratory where all participants work in pursuit of discovery. The first and most profound revelation is a deeper understanding of ourselves, which in turn brings us closer to those around us—the very people who render our work valuable and meaningful.

We encourage precise, rigorous, and at the same time, creative design. We advocate for the proactive use of a multifaceted constellation of conditions, opportunities, requirements, advantages, needs, aspirations, obsessions, predictions, intuitions, and uncertain futures—all in the pursuit of constructing a world inherently tied to its specific conditions, those that define it as part of the cultural fabric of its time.

THE SITE

BRAINPORT SMART DISTRICT

The built environment may be one of the most important determinants of health for humans and nonhumans. As designers, we carry the responsibility to minimise the impact the building industry has on our planet and communities, and ensure that all interventions contribute to a healthier, more resilient future.

Current and future environmental and social transitions and crisis require new design thinking.

Circular Design is a practice that calls for rethinking the process of making and creating and is committed to abandoning the paradigm of using and letting go. Linked to Circular Economy practices, it speculates on how to bring value into a design project that encompasses economic value, but also transcends it into social and environmental value.

Circular Design calls for designers to adopt sustainability practices and have respect for the environment and the community as a starting point.

How can design effect the longevity of our buildings and our society? What if we could create places that eliminate waste, save resources, and provide a robust prosperity for future generations?

The MArch Thesis Project will look at circular strategies that go beyond environmental performance indicators or economic return on investment. The

Thesis Project will demand students to take a position on the need to responsibly manage global resources, and the need to identify design opportunities within the field.

Looking specifically at housing typologies and supporting amenities, students will apply research-by-design methodologies, will focus on brief and narrative writing and documenting, and on a design articulation based on system-thinking.

The role of nature will take a central place in the design, as well as innovation on the level of new materials and building methods to ensure a design that is circular, humane, and resilient.

The site of intervention will be the development of Brainport Smart District in Helmond, The Netherlands.

Brainport Smart District proposes an emerging new way of living, where a community is coming together to create a sustainable, circular, smart District.

Currently, 5,000 residents are in the process of designing and sharing their ideas for living in the future, while already the first group of 100 pioneers have set up their temporary houses on site.

Students will be developing a scheme for 10 to 99 homes with supported amenities after choosing their plot at the site by taking into account the outcome of their group research developed during the first term.

In summer 2017, the Brainport Smart District steering committee formed an implementation team to create an action plan. These principles and lines guide the district’s growth, translating into specific locations and spaces, and positioning Brainportidents and stakeholders while allowing flexible implementation of initiatives. They address safety, circularity, and digital interfaces, promoting participation and a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, 7 Program Lines were identified to support development. These principles and lines guide the district’s growth, translating into specific locations and spaces, and positioning Brainport Smart District as a “Living Lab” with areas: Effective Robustness, Resonating Identity, and Technology with Impact.

Brandevoort, originally an agricultural area in Mierlo, has a rich history, including Roman settlement remains.

In 2018, the northern area was redefined as Brainporta for the Brandevoort urban expansion project. Designed by Luxembourg architect Rob Krier, the 1997 masterplan followed New Urbanism principles, proposing 6,000 homes for 17,000 residents across eight sub-areas. The Veste, a standout feature, resembles a historic Brabant village. The plan won the 2015 INTBAU Excellence Award.

In 2010, the second phase, De Voltooiing, began, adding 3,000 homes and a business park. In 2018, the northern area was redefined as Brainport Smart District, led by UNStudio, with 1,500 homes and a 12-hectare business park.

Thesis Project of the Master

Brandevoort, originally an agricultural area in Mierlo, has a rich history, including Roman settlement remains. In 2018, the northern area was redefined as Brainporta for the Brandevoort urban expansion project. Designed by Luxembourg architect Rob Krier, the 1997 masterplan followed New Urbanism principles, proposing 6,000 homes for 17,000 residents across eight sub-areas. The Veste, a standout feature, resembles a historic Brabant village. The plan won the 2015 INTBAU Excellence Award.

The strategy for the urban vision focuses on the general goals and objectives set by the BSD core team. It addresses multiple aspects of urban planning and defines the strategic approach for implementing these aspects.

A New Urban Structure

The plan allows for flexible growth, accommodating scalable expansion and program adjustments. Conventional urban planning tools like building density, mobility, and sustainability are integrated into an urban framework.

Urban Framework

The neighborhood is organized into strips based on existing vegetation. From north to south (N270 to the railway), twenty strips divide the land into varying widths. A ring of diverse buildings surrounds the neighborhood’s heart: a communal park. Buildings and landscape merge into a network of structures and nature.

Building Density Distribution

Urban buildings create a unique skyline of vertical structures at strategic

locations. The variety of buildings, from single-family homes to apartment complexes and multifunctional structures, caters to all budgets.

Nature

Proximity to nature is essential in Brainport Smart District. Vertical, shared green spaces (for agriculture, water, food production, and social gatherings) are integrated into each block. The central park, owned by all BSD community members, functions as a cultural landscape. Surrounding land is intended for productivity, like agriculture and ecological functions.

Shared Economy

A network of communal indoor and outdoor spaces is created to benefit the local economy. Shared kitchens, cultural centers, gardens, and workspaces offer more opportunities for gatherings and idea exchange.

Circular

Brainport Smart District promotes a healthy lifestyle, with ample space for walking and cycling, alongside electric and shared mobility. The network of paths creates multiple mobility flows and connects to neighboring destinations. A smart mobility system, replacing existing roads, will be the innovative hallmark of Brainport Smart District.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key principle, shaping the physical and programmatic layout of the district. The strategy considers shared energy generation, water purification and reuse, food supply, recycling of building materials, and clean transport. These elements define BSD’s future as a robust, prosperous neighborhood.

Opportunities include social integration, with a focus on health through walkable, human-scaled design fostering

community interaction. Economic prosperity is encouraged by blending living and working spaces, supporting innovation and small businesses. Local identity is embraced by integrating natural landscapes, promoting connectivity and infrastructure innovation.

Challenges involve creating a vibrant community despite low housing density, addressed by a dense ring with a central culture park. Unproven models and current environmental pollution are tackled with flexible planning and innovative solutions for noise and pollution issues.

The ambition of Brainport Smart District and the UNStudio team is to create a framework for urban development that enhances engagement and encourages innovation.

1. Community of Innovators

Brainport Smart District targets new users, seeking innovative living and

working concepts. Residents are encouraged to develop communal initiatives like shared energy and land use, with companies ideally active in research areas.

2. Positive Technological Impact

Seamless technology integration aims to transform human-environment relationships, enhancing landscapes, buildings, public spaces, and connectivity.

3. Future-Oriented Identity

The plan combines growth potential with a flexible framework for varying densities, considering future developments. A strip-based layout offers flexibility, with a passport for each object ensuring readiness.

4. Sustainability and Adaptability

The productive landscape fosters a local economy “made in BSD.” Local food, energy, water purification, and circular materials enable innovation for a healthy environment.

A series of strips divides the location into neighborhoods that collectively form a continuous urban landscape. Each strip extends from the N270 to the HelmondEindhoven railway, encompassing productive landscapes, urban buildings of varying densities, and a central park for culture and nature. Building densities in each strip range from 25 to 60 units per hectare, covering a construction area of 470,000 m². The plan includes various building types, from single-family homes with 160 m² of living space to apartment complexes with 60 m² per unit, attracting diverse users. We anticipate a total of 4,200 residents in 1,500 units: a community of innovators.

The strips include parts of the decentralized business park, offering 150,000 m² of offices and (shared) workspaces, supporting innovationfocused collaboration. The proximity of living and working spaces provides convenience for young families and older re-entrants, ensuring the location is active 24/7. The central park covers 15 hectares,

featuring sports fields, gardens, and natural landscapes. Its management and revenue model is based on a membership system, making the park collectively owned by its users. The productive landscape around the buildings spans 80 hectares, available for high-tech agriculture, ecology, water storage, and new forms of energy generation

Due to specific planning requirements, retail is not permitted in the early development stageBrainportnport Smart District. In response, the proposal introduces a new strategy to enhance the local economy and generate social engagement. The plan focuses on local production of goods and knowledge, providing a network of shared spaces where residents can sell or trade locally produced products. Building a local economy is crucial for the community and acts as a catalyst for social involvement.

To support the community, each urban plot must provide a certain percentage of shared facilities, such as a communal

kitchen, garden, reading room, fitness area, etc. This allows residents and workers to share innovations and contribute to the neighborhood’s identity and prosperity. Offering local (food) products also supports the sustainability cycle.

This strategy is based on benchmark research of similar locations in the Netherlands (such as Breskens, Zoeterwoude, Grubbenvorst, Julianadorp, and Nieuw Lekkerland) and the distribution of retail in those urban centers. The research shows that specific functions, like food sales and gardening, are often linked to specific locations, such as public spaces and schools.

This conclusion also applies to the intended functional distribution of the local economy in Brainport Smart District, where the variety of spaces allows for combining functions: a community center with a library, a garden center with a communal kitchen, and so on.

By allocating public space to each plot, combined with ample walking and cycling paths, we create a local economy that directly stimulates creativity, innovation, and interaction. The diagram above illustrates the presence of shared spaces (both indoor and outdoor) and their distribution throughout the neighborhood.

The distribution of building density fulfills the ambition to create distinct neighborhood identities with unique activities and lifestyles. Since the plan allows ample space, each strip can be used in various ways and re-purposed if necessary. The Urban Density Tool included with this proposal enables the BSD core team to determine

building density and select the best location for future development. This tool, a digital interactive map, can be used by clicking on designated cells and assigning specific building density characteristics to each strip.

The landscape around Helmond is a varied mosaic of agricultural areas interspersed with forests, heathlands, villages, and water-rich zones. This mosaic has developed historically. In the early 20th century, we still see largely continuous landscape structures, with heathlands and riverbeds running between agricultural plots and villages. During the second half of the century, industrialization increased, and more natural areas were converted into production land. This not only expanded agricultural areas but also created numerous production forests, leading to significant landscape fragmentation. Later, urbanization pressure further increased, with new residential neighborhoods developed and existing centers expanded. This added a second layer of fragmentation, contributing to the formation of today’s rich mosaic landscape.

Mosaic Landscape 2.0 is structured around four frameworks that organize and facilitate collaboration between its various components:

1. Mosaic Landscape: Defines the different building blocks.

2. Productive Landscape: Provides spatial frameworks to optimize the productivity of these building blocks.

3. Connected Landscape: Links the different components into an integrated system.

4. Social Landscape: Closes loops at the neighborhood level, creating new landscape collectives.

The landscape in BSD is comprehensively utilized as a production area. The land outside the built-up area, plots within the urban zone, and the central park contribute to food and energy production, water management, and biodiversity. Simultaneously, they are designed as attractive and experiential landscapes for recreation and living. To make the landscape both appealing and efficient, the area is re-parceled, resulting in a variety of plot sizes and shapes that align with the character of each environment.

Mobility and infrastructure are crucial aspects of Brainport Smart District. The larger area still heavily relies on car traffic and personal mobility. The current road network remains the foundation for transitioning to a new mobility structure.

Goals:

• Zero emissions from traffic in BSD

• Limit the number of cars per person in the area

• Restrict on-street parking

• No fossil fuel-powered cars in BSD

• Link mobility to energy

• Implement a smart transportation service throughout BSD

• that can be expanded to the surrounding area.

BSD’s drinking and wastewater strategy involves multiple organizations working towards a circular water system. The goals include achieving 100% rain resistance, reducing water use to 60 liters per person daily, and capturing rainwater locally, with 25% on individual plots and 75% across the district. BSD aims for hydrological neutrality by

minimizing water outflow and utilizing wastewater for energy and nutrients. The estimated water needs per phase equate to 48 Olympic pools annually. The strategy focuses on capturing rainwater to meet grey water needs, maximizing water-absorbing surfaces, and employing natural solutions. Wastewater strategies emphasize nutrient extraction and energy recovery.

The goals of Brainport Smart District focus on ecosystem services, particularly food supply, while considering climate, biodiversity, and social sentiments. Key ambitions include reducing the urban heat island effect, minimizing light pollution, working with existing ecosystems, exploring public space ownership models, and promoting biodiversity. Local food production depends on residents’ diets; producing all food requires more land than available, but 11 hectares can supply vegetables. The strategy aims for 30% local food production, 60% within 100 km, and 10% beyond, considering the impact of food types. Efforts include reducing food waste, promoting local, seasonal food, and sustainable agriculture.

Brainport Smart District’s energy strategy focuses on separating electricity from heat to achieve a CO2-neutral, energy-neutral community powered by renewables. Key goals include a smart grid and diverse power generation options. The strategy prioritizes flexibility, utilizing various energy sources and innovative storage to strengthen system resilience. Energy reduction is achieved through passive houses and smart management. Synergy is created by leveraging local resources and wastewater energy. Management involves monitoring energy needs and exploring smart storage based on usage patterns.

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THESIS PROJECTS

PROJECTS

LIVING WITH FOOD

Catarina Gill de Barros Leonel

Living with Food is a community-driven project aiming to bring the root of what we eat closer to us. With the growth of cities, agriculture is pushed to the sidelines, increasing the distance it takes for food to get to our plates. This has several repercussions, including increased carbon emissions and food waste. The motive of this project is to show how integral food is to everyday life on many scales, and to intentionally design to integrate this crucial layer back into the way we live. More specifically, the project understands food as a catalyst for community.

Architecturally, the neighborhoodscaled project works as one, with a vaulted roof system spanning across all intricate scales, while providing pockets of intimate environments,

private homes, and community spaces. Using ceramic brick walls and tiled vaults, interspersed with arches and columns, the built fabric plays with intimacy and openness across the site. The “negative space” between enclosed private homes is celebrated as an opportunity for fruit trees and dining tables. Similarly, the market space serves as the most central dining table of all, as the largest activated “negative space” of the project.

Food is the general term used in this project, but it represents more than just something we consume. Food is something that grows, and that we cultivate. Food is something we prepare, cook, and bake, together or individually. And most crucially, food is something we share.

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Thesis Project of the Master in Architecture, 2023-2024

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Thesis Project of the Master

A PLASTIC METABOLISM

These greenfields, caught between the expansion of Helmond and Eindhoven, have inspired paintings and witnessed the development of industry. Today, they raise new questions, and challenge us to rethink how we approach urban growth. They are an opportunity to explore circular practices to reduce waste and increase resource efficiency by reusing and recycling materials in a closed-loop system.

In The Metabolism of Cities, Herbert Girardet describes the city models of the past: the Agropolis, which depends on local productive landscapes, and the Petropolis, which relies on imports and exports for survival. Circular communities aim to reconnect key urban functions and close the loop on linear flows. Plastic is a clear example of a linear flow, moving from consumption to waste rather than being “re-cycled.”

With 40% of plastic consumption coming from single-use packaging, and with construction being the second-largest consumer, synergies can be created by designing a building that upcycles plastics from surrounding communities. This approach addresses local plastic waste while simultaneously supplying sustainable construction materials.

This project proposes a building system that evolves alongside the urban development. The building produces construction materials from plastic waste, enabling it to “build itself” over time. It grows progressively, adjusting to demand. Its modular design allows extensions and plug-ins, creating spaces for community programs as the area develops. Once construction needs decrease, the building can transition to cultural and public uses, contributing to the community’s longterm growth and resilience.

Javier Madero

Thesis

Eastern Longitudinal Section

Transversal South Elevation

Thesis Project of the Master

Workspaces

Residential units Two types

Multipurpose event space

Production workshop spaces

Cultural space and auditorium

Thesis Project of the Master in Architecture, 2023-2024

In Its “fully-grown” state, the building continues to function as a waste upcycling facility, while also accommodating diverse programs and public space.

To the eastern side there is a more urban street condition where the building has more orthogonal volumes interfacing with the building on the other side of the street, while on the western side there is a broad landscape where the volumes can reach out, extend, and provide views.

PLANTAE

Franka Ducic

Plantae is a residential neighbourhood that embodies a bio-based approach to architecture, integrating lessons from the Dutch relationship with nature and its productive landscapes. Dutch paintings reveal a historical synergy between people and their environments, illustrating a life sustained by the land through food, income, and building materials. This understanding prompts a contemporary urgency to view plants as renewable resources essential for future architectural practices and the future of Brainport Smart District.

The project emphasises the use of low embodied carbon materials and modern prefabrication methods, enabling structures that are easy to install and adaptable over time. By focusing on biogenic construction, Plantae promotes the cultivation of hemp, reed, wheat, and cattail directly on the rooftops of the residential units and their surrounding landscape, creating buildings and their structural materials that harmonise with the environment. These natural fibres, sourced from crops on rooftops and the surrounding land, not only fulfil construction needs, but also foster

a sense of community through collaborative growing efforts.

Plantae residential units represent a pioneering step towards a postcarbon future, advocating for a new building paradigm that addresses environmental and social crises. Utilising regenerative materials such as hemp, straw, and timber, the project ensures that the carbon captured during growth surpasses the embodied carbon produced in their lifecycle. This shift from conventional building methods, often extractive and damaging to natural landscapes, towards sustainable practices, promises a harmonious coexistence between humans and plants.

Through prototyping sustainable hemp and timber-based construction, the project aims to scale these solutions from the Brainport Smart District to broader European contexts. This residential initiative invites to reimagine the land and the use of building rooftops, fostering agriculture-based economic renewal while respecting local ecosystems and heritage. In doing so, Plantae is a vision for the future of living with nature.

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THE CAPSULE

June Aoun

In Eindhoven, a city called the Home of the Pioneers, the project takes part in the soon to be built Brainport Smart district (BSD), as planned by UNStudio. The BSD is planned as a living lab, merging the latest technologies resulting in a research and community-based environment. However, as of 2023, the BSD project is suspended due to lack of funds. The primary solution for financing through governmental organisations is the need to create an economic opportunity. With the opportunity of complete agency in creating the program for the building, the project was led by two principles: the ambition to create a profitable venture, and the BSD’s slogan of “living the future”. Quickly, the idea of living the future merged with the scepticism of uncertain futures. The urgency to change the way that, we— all earth-dwellers— , create, consume, and dispose has to change. And it has to change quickly.

The project goes to take on the role of a factory of resources, centred on food and energy production and distribution. Named “The Capsule”, the project proposes a way to navigate uncertain futures, through compromising economic feasibility, current technologies, and a

whole lot of faith— a capsule presented as a remedy for urgency of change. Morphologically synonymous, a building of a matryoshka anatomy, built up out of two volumetric entities— an industrial shell that encloses an artificial environment as host for interventions. The choice of program lies in the combination of industries to optimize synergies: food production, storage and distribution fall at maximal spatial efficiency; water treatment generates electricity rather than spending it, and volumetric fragmentation of the plant allows for the water barrels to double as exceptional thermal mass retainers. Collectively, The Capsule aims to demonstrate that the initial investment in capital and material will not only offset, but regenerate sustainable and circular practices at regional scales.

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LIQUID LIVING

Farah Darwish Zafer AL-Dajani

Liquid Living bridges water as leisure with water as production, envisioning a seamless flow between living and productivity. The design features a gradient of densities, transitioning from fully public to fully private spaces, connected by canals serving as transportation and productivity corridors. Public waterfronts host community programs, while areas located further inland become more private, culminating in forest-lined residential zones. Housing buildings are elevated, ensuring open access to canals and public spaces. These homes are accessible by both water and land, blending convenience with thoughtful urban planning.

The BSD Masterplan urban strategy promotes balanced, sustainable living by integrating water transportation and leisure, productive agricultural lands, and urban residential areas. Canals enable eco-friendly transport, reducing road congestion and enhancing environmental health. Designated production lands support local agriculture, while residential housing ensure visual connectivity with the natural landscape to create a unified living environment.

This adaptable approach preserves natural wetlands, and can be replicated in similar settings. Near the masterplan are two river canals adjacent to the site, demonstrating how water can be redirected to a primary canal on the masterplan using channels that link the external canal to the BSD area. Ultimately, this method allows for a continuous supply of water all year long.

Thesis Project of the Master

BSD EARTH + LAB

Elvan Z. Gürbüztürk

The Netherlands’ legacy of innovation and the global demand for advancing a circular lifestyle present a unique opportunity within the masterplan of Brainport Smart District (BSD) proposed by UNStudio: to seamlessly implement a network of innovation into the residential scheme that aims at contributing to contemporary sustainability crises.

As part of this envisioned network, BSD Living Lab(s) introduces Earth+ Lab, a research hub extending from a lower-density residential area in the southern portion of the site towards the proposed agricultural land. The project aims to extract new forms of value from the productive landscape, establishing a dynamic “living laboratory.” This facility is dedicated to exploring all aspects of research that can be extracted from the soil, such as advancing innovative agricultural practices, soil health monitoring, and biodiversity enhancement strategies. The design features a modular system with building units measuring 10 by 15 meters, forming the central artery of the structure. Smaller modules branch off to create flexible wings, allowing the facility to expand or contract as

needed. Earth+ Lab comprises six main modules and two extensions, offering versatility in programming.

The proposal includes “Incubators”— residential units attached to the facility, providing housing for students, researchers, and academics actively engaged in its work. These living spaces support an immersive environment where residents can test and refine the research conducted on-site. To minimize ecological impact, all structures are elevated, ensuring reversible construction and preserving the ground beneath. This space doubles as a public realm, inviting BSD residents to engage with ongoing research and contributing to the very sampling grounds utilized by the lab.

Earth+ Lab does not only contribute to the local and global knowledge based on sustainable living but also fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility towards the environment. It further proposes a new model of land use and stewardship by integrating researchers, academics, and students at the intersection of residential and productive zones.

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Thesis Project of the Master in Architecture, 2023-2024

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URBAN FOOD HUB

Fabiana Perrogón

In the Netherlands, over 50% of produce is exported globally, resulting in the average vegetable traveling approximately 200 km from farm to consumer and generating an additional 12% in emissions before consumption. To address this issue, Urban Food Hub proposes the creation of a space where visitors can experience the entire food production process, fostering a closer connection between community and producers. Situated centrally within the park of the Brainport Smart District, this space will serve as a landmark to raise awareness about the significance of sustainable food production and consumption inside the community, as well as a place where food brings the community together.

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EPHEMERAL REFLECTIONS

Rita Mantel Gabay

In the context of the Braindevoort Smart District, characterized by a burgeoning landscape of diverse initiatives and experimental endeavors aimed at redefining contemporary modes of habitation, Ephemeral Reflections is situated within a neglected enclave beset by formidable infrastructural constraints, notably the close presence of a train station and a major highway. Notwithstanding these challenges, the site harbors notable features including a local school and a naturally safeguarded watercourse. The hydrological framework in this precinct presents a compelling juxtaposition, delineated by a symbiotic interplay between a preserved aquatic sanctuary and an artificial waterbody interlinked with fragments of a broader canal network. Central to the proposition is the integration of cutting-edge techniques for the cultivation of an artificial thermal spring/natural swimming pond within the man-made reservoir. This intervention seeks to engender a microcosmic ecosystem, facilitating the purification and curation of water resources while concurrently fostering a communal sanctuary in the form of a public bathhouse. By affording

opportunities for immersive bodily engagement and social interaction, the envisioned amenity serves to catalyze meaningful engagements with both the self and the collective milieu, thereby addressing the imperative of resource scarcity whilst foregrounding the manifold dimensions of social and cultural life within the Brainport Smart District.

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INVERTED CITY

The objective of this project is to explore the notion of suburban living in small towns through a fresh lens. The concept revolves around transforming houses or building units into interconnected roads, creating a seamless integration while preserving the surrounding natural environment for growth and preservation. Communication primarily occurs through the rooftops of houses, fostering a unique method of interaction. The system’s modularity enables infinite replication, while offering diverse activities for residents to engage in and enjoy with communal experiences, ultimately fostering a sense of unity within the community.

Daria Ignatieva

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THE SOCIAL CHAIN

Maša Marin

The proposed neighbourhood places a strong emphasis on pedestrian and cycling transportation. This is achieved through the creation of meandering, leisurely streets that prioritize pedestrians’ comfort and safety, while also incorporating visually captivating elements and offering various social activities and programs.

At the heart of the project lies a “social bridge” spanning between two neighborhoods, above the existing train station. This bridging architecture extends the design principles of the surrounding area while introducing innovative social initiatives and programs to engage with the community.

Serving as a magnet point, the Social Chain attracts residents and visitors alike, fostering connectivity and community engagement, while also serving as the main train station of the area. It is a magnet, a super-linker, a community builder, and a train station, all in one.

“Umbrellas bring people together”. This guiding phrase shapes the entire design of the project, emphasizing its role as a unifying space. The idea of “umbrellas”

is materialised at multiple scales, from the overarching form of the building’s modules to the design of both exterior and interior elements. These umbrellas resemble the natural canopy of the surrounding trees, blending with the environment while fulfilling functional and aesthetic purposes.

Varying in size and shape, the umbrellas create diverse spaces tailored to different activities and experiences, fostering a sense of shelter, connection, and community. Whether providing shaded gathering areas outdoors or defining intimate interiors, the umbrella-like structure serves as a metaphor for inclusion and togetherness, inviting people to engage with the space and with one another.

Thesis

Thesis Project of the Master

Thesis Project of the Master

HARVEST HAVEN

María Fé Montenegro

This thesis explores a new typology of urban living, one that integrates food production, energy efficiency, and sustainable water management within residential architecture. The project envisions a self-sustaining community where families grow their own food, recycle waste, and harvest water, reducing dependence on external resources.

Located within the Brainsport Smart District, the design aligns with the urban plan’s commitment to circularity and sustainable development. The architectural concept reinterprets a greenhouse, an enclosure that provides shelter while regulating temperature, light, and wind circulation. The project merges residential units, shared spaces, and urban farming techniques such as indoor vertical farming, aquaponics, and water harvesting.

At an urban scale, the building seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, introducing green and communal spaces to enhance social interaction. The ground level remains open and accessible, functioning as a public space with markets and gardens supplying fresh produce to both residents and the broader community.

The architectural strategy focuses on flexibility and environmental performance. Modules are arranged inside the greenhouse envelope, with a dynamic section that creates terraces, double-height spaces, and natural ventilation zones. A photovoltaic glass roof generates clean energy, while rainwater collection systems store and distribute water for irrigation.

The multifunctional façade plays a crucial role, supporting food production, generating solar energy, and integrating water storage tanks. By prioritizing sustainability, resilience, and selfsufficiency, this project responds to global challenges such as urban overpopulation, food production and overall climate change.

Ultimately, this design presents a new model for urban living, where architecture is not just a shelter but an active agent in creating healthier, more sustainable, and self-reliant communities.

Thesis Project of the Master in

Thesis Project

Thesis Project of the Master

Thesis Project of the Master in Architecture,

Thesis Project of the Master in

INTRICATE MOSAIC

Martina De Prosperi Blanco

The Intricate Mosaic project reimagines traditional urban patterns, aligning them with the human-centered needs of the 21st century. Situated within the Brainport Smart District, this new neighborhood challenges car-centric layouts by prioritizing pedestrian-friendly environments. The design creates a tapestry of variability and heterogeneity to foster meaningful human interaction and a sense of belonging.

A key strategy of the project is the interplay of public and private spaces, ensuring a seamless connection between ground floors, residential units, and rooftops. Public programs such as kindergardens, co-working spaces, gyms, and restaurants activate the ground floor, creating vibrant hubs of daily activity. These spaces are designed to be accessible to both residents and the public, fostering interactions that strengthen the sense of community. Open areas between and beneath buildings amplify accessibility and create opportunities for engagement, while shared terraces on upper levels encourage social encounters among neighbors.

The modular design approach reflects the project’s emphasis on adaptability and

inclusivity. Units are strategically shifted and rotated to create a dynamic urban fabric, offering diverse living experiences. Rooftop public areas expand on this concept, introducing new communal spaces and re-establishing the connection between ground-level activity and elevated terraces. Intricate Mosaic offers a thoughtful approach to urban living that balances individuality with community and adaptability with sustainability. The project aims to meet the practical needs of contemporary society while fostering meaningful connections among residents, creating a neighborhood that feels both dynamic and welcoming.

Thesis Project of the Master

HIDDEN HARMONY

Victoria Porubaeva

The Hidden Harmony architecture project envisions a residential development where housing seamlessly integrates into the natural landscape, making it nearly invisible while fostering a biodiverse ecosystem. By embedding modular residential units into the terrain, the design reduces land disruption while maintaining continuous green corridors for wildlife.

A central water source acts as a natural biome, supporting local flora and fauna while ensuring habitat connectivity and water management. This innovative approach within the Brainport Smart District inverts the conventional concept of a zoo: humans are subtly restricted in movement while animals roam freely, promoting harmonious coexistence between nature and people.

Sustainability is central to the project, with the use of renewable materials such as glulam columns and LVL beams. The modular construction system minimizes waste, allowing for future expansion or adaptation. Green roofs planted with native vegetation provide thermal insulation, manage stormwater, and create elevated habitats for birds

and pollinators, extending the natural ecosystem above human spaces.

The facade features bird modules, offering nesting and resting areas for local avian species. These modules align with migratory bird routes, mitigating habitat loss caused by urban development. To reduce environmental impact further, car use is restricted during sensitive breeding seasons, lowering noise and pollution levels. Bicycle-friendly infrastructure encourages sustainable mobility, reducing transportationrelated emissions. Inspired by the Netherlands’ ecoduct system, Hidden Harmony reconnects fragmented green spaces, enabling uninterrupted wildlife migration and seasonal access to food and shelter. By prioritizing biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and sustainable building practices, the project demonstrates how architecture can balance human habitation with environmental conservation. It proposes a carbon-conscious built environment where human and natural systems coexist, setting a model for future low-emission, natureintegrated urban developments.

Thesis Project of the Master

THE RIGHT TO THE BSD CITY

Miroslav Kalinaj

The project addresses the pressing housing crisis in the Netherlands, characterized by a shortage of affordable housing, escalating construction costs, and reduced sectoral investment. Against the backdrop of a global urbanization trend—with 7 out of 10 people projected to live in cities by 2050—the project explores sustainable solutions to meet these demands while considering the Netherlands’ ecological deficit of -4.92.

The proposal centers on a mediumdensity housing framework that prioritizes sustainability, adaptability, and community involvement. It advocates for compact, walkable urban layouts with low emissions and prefabricated, easily assembled units. The key strategies include incrementality, blending existing structures with adaptable grids, and rethinking modular units as flexible, customizable spaces. Community participation in design and production is implemented in the overall project process, promoting co-ownership and a sense of belonging.

Design considerations include mixeduse programs, proportional green spaces, and sustainable mobility

systems incorporating bicycle lanes and tramways. Environmental strategies involve permeable asphalt, rainwater buffering, solar gain, thicker insulation, and cross-ventilation. The structural system employs glulam columns and beams, CLT lift cores, and concrete piles, with modules standardized to 7.5m x 7.5m for flexibility and scalability.

The program consists of active commercial ground floors, 4-5 stories of residential units, and rooftop production areas. This layered approach creates independent yet flexible functional spaces. The project aims to redefine housing affordability by rethinking space ownership and introducing material hierarchies from a more fixed/rigid layout to a more flexible/adaptable one.

Ultimately, the project envisions a framework for affordable housing that is sustainable and community-driven, and that integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations, setting a replicable system for affordable urban development.

Thesis Project of the Master in

NORTH SOUTH

MODULARITY

Define a modular grid that will allow flexibility and establish a set of rules for the program configuration

MATERIALITY

The project will be determined by the levels of materiality: from a more solid fixed to a more flexible

OWNERSHIP

Rethink the way that “Space is Produced” and how housing can be “affordable”

Thesis Project of the Master in

MOBILITY EPICENTER

Juan Cruz Granda Mackinson

This project consists of a mixed-use building that combines a smart mobility hub with various programs such as retail, offices, restaurants, a gym, a daycare center, a drone delivery system, and a park, among others.

The building is conceived as a concentrated action in the center of the master plan, which has a cascading effect on the rest of the district. By concentrating these different programs within the building, other parts of the district can be freed up, generating three distinct density areas. The project is organized around two spiral ramps that house all the different circulations and car parking, supporting the other programs as external and internal complements.

Regarding circularity, the building not only helps reducing car emissions by adopting an electric car-sharing system, moving away from private car ownership, but it also functions as a battery for renewable energies. To achieve this, the cars parked in the building serve to store energy when not in use, as does the concrete, which is built in an experimental new way with energy storage capacities and functions as a superconductor.

Thesis Project of the Master in

AQUA NEST

Alexander Aggersbjerg

The Netherlands has long been a global leader in flood management, with highly engineered infrastructure ensuring protection from rising water levels. However, this efficiency has led to unintended consequences, particularly groundwater depletion and reduced landscape adaptability. This thesis explores a retroactive approach to water management in architecture, proposing dynamic and resilient solutions that respond to fluctuating environmental conditions.

Set in Helmond, a city adjacent to a floodplain, the project examines how architecture can shift from rigid, static structures to adaptive systems that change their activities based on wet and dry seasons. The design investigates strategies for integrating seasonal flexibility, allowing buildings and urban spaces to evolve with natural hydrological cycles rather than resisting them. By embracing uncertainty, the proposal reimagines architecture as an active participant in water management rather than merely being a passive structure protected by infrastructure.

Using a combination of computational simulations and material studies, the

project explores design methodologies that enable real-time adaptability. This includes elevated structures, amphibious foundations, and landscape-responsive interventions that transform with changing water levels. The aim is to create spaces that foster new relationships between the built environment and water, moving away from further fortification and instead rethinking how buildings can exist in balance with shifting water landscapes.

Thesis Project of the Master

BAUBOTANIK

Francisco García Cruz

Situated within UNStudio’s visionary masterplan for Brainport Smart District, this project redefines the boundary between urban infrastructure and natural landscape. Residential buildings are designed as a transitional buffer, harmonizing the dynamic built environment of the district’s circular road with the serene linear park at its core.

The transition from road to park shapes the typology of the buildings. Closest to the road, dense commercial structures anchor the proposal, built with recycled brick at ground level to reflect the character of the urban street. Buildings elevate from the ground as they get closer to the park, transforming into residential clusters and arranged into community-oriented layouts that are connected by elevated walkways. This gradient reflects a shift from urban density to natural openness. A defining feature of the project is the integration of “baubotanik” construction systems, an innovative approach to living architecture. Baubotanik combines traditional construction with living plants, creating structures where architectural elements and vegetation grow together into a unified system

over time. In this project, modular brick units form the core of the residential clusters, while a living baubotanik skin envelops them. This skin consists of specially cultivated trees and plants that are trained and grafted into the timber structure of the building. The baubotanik system evolves with time and seasons, enhancing the architecture’s functionality and ecological contribution. It provides natural insulation, shade, and air purification while fostering biodiversity. This approach merges construction with nature, symbolizing a dynamic partnership between built and living systems.

By seamlessly blending urban infrastructure and natural landscape, the project exemplifies the ethos of Brainport Smart District, advancing sustainable and innovative design principles for future living environments.

Thesis Project of the Master in

Thesis Project of the Master in

Thesis Project of the Master

Thesis Project of the Master in Architecture, 2023-2024

Thesis Project of the Master

PUBLIC INTERIOR

Public Interiors reimagines the role of architecture in fostering human connection within the urban landscape. The project blurs the boundary between public and private spaces by integrating a “street through the building” concept, where circulation paths mirror the urban network and act as catalysts for spontaneous social interaction. This internal street creates a fluid connection between the city and the building, encouraging encounters and minimizing the isolation felt by many in modern cities.

At the ground level, vibrant public amenities such as a skate park, sports hall, and swimming pool invite the community to engage in active, shared experiences. These spaces are designed not only for physical activity but to bring people together in a dynamic and inclusive environment. As the building rises, the spaces evolve from public to more intimate ones. A yoga studio offers quiet solitude, while a community kitchen promotes collaboration and shared meals. A translucent library provides a peaceful environment for reading and study. The design integrates green roofs and natural surroundings, maintaining the site’s ecological balance

and creating a seamless transition between interior and exterior.

Public Interiors is a new type of public space, where architecture nurtures connection, movement, and meaning, enhancing the experience of both individuals and the community.

Blanca Van Elderen

Thesis Project of the Master in

Thesis Project of the Master

Thesis Project of the Master in

MArch Students

CATARINA GILL DE BARROS

Catarina is currently working at DAVIDEDAVID, a small architectural studio in the heart of Madrid. Specializing in smaller-scale projects, the firm allows Catarina to engage deeply in multiple project phases, offering invaluable hands-on experience and fostering a strong sense of responsibility and professional growth.

ELVAN ZEYNEP GÜRBÜZTÜRK

Elvan is currently based in Barcelona, interning at Atelier Entropic, a young architecture studio with a strong international presence. She actively contributes to design competitions and collaborates with the team and clients across all stages of design and production, gaining valuable experience in projects of varying scales.

FRANCISCO GARCÍA

Francisco is based in Madrid, working at SistemaStudio, an architecture firm specializing in private clients and residential projects while also engaging in artistic initiatives like hosting galleries and art events. Alongside his work in Madrid, he is active as an architect-developer in Almería, where he is currently designing a small residential project in the city center.

JAVIER MADERO

Javier is currently working as a Curatorial Assistant for Carlo Ratti, the Curator of the 2025 Venice Biennale di Architettura. Based in Turin, he is contributing to the preparation of the Biennale, themed “Intelligens: Natural, Artificial, Collective”, which explores the interplay of diverse intelligences shaping the built environment. His role involves supporting curatorial efforts and the realization of this complex architectural exhibition.

MARÍA FÉ MONTENEGRO

María Fé Montenegro, originally from Peru, is a member of the Architecture and Interior Design department at AECOM, a leading American infrastructure consulting firm. She contributes to innovative projects that seamlessly integrate sustainability and functionality, fostering impactful and forwardthinking design solutions.

FRANKA DUČIĆ

Franka is currently pursuing two postgraduate software certification courses while preparing for the LEED Green Associate Exam. She plans to begin applying for job opportunities focusing on expanding her expertise and professional qualifications.

BLANCA VAN ELDEREN

Blanca is a junior architect at Dietmar Feichtinger Architects in Paris, where she focuses on the execution phases of projects and leads the development of architectural competitions. She contributes to innovative design solutions, ensuring precision and creativity throughout each stage of the process.

MIROSLAV KALINAJ

Miroslav works as an Investment Analyst at T10 Capital Real Estate, a leading firm in investment advisory and management. He is responsible for analyzing and managing diverse real estate portfolios, providing strategic insights to maximize investment value. His role requires a deep understanding of market trends and financial strategies in the dynamic real estate sector.

MAŠA MARIN

Maša has been taking a break since completing her master’s degree. She is currently exploring professional opportunities in Madrid and London, aiming to join an architectural or interior design studio.

JUNE AOUN

June is a freelance architect specializing in small-scale real estate projects, recently focusing on the conversion of a commercial space. She is also exploring AI’s potential in architecture, with a primary focus on innovation in graphic communication and synchronous data integration to enhance agile project management in the architectural industry.

FABIANA PERROGÓN

Fabiana is currently interning at SelgasCano Studio in Madrid. She is working on a variety of international projects, with a primary focus on residential and hospitality design, gaining valuable experience in a dynamic and creative environment.

FARAH DARWISH ZAFER AL-DAJANI

Farah is currently pursuing a BIM Revit course to enhance her software skills and architectural expertise. Simultaneously, she is working as a freelance architect on a project in Madrid, gaining practical experience. This combined approach enables her to deepen her technical knowledge while contributing to real-world design, preparing her for dynamic opportunities in the industry.

MARTINA DE PROSPERI BLANCO

Martina is a trainee in the architecture department at Arup’s Madrid office. She has supported her team on a competition submission in collaboration with a renowned international studio. This experience has provided valuable insight into Arup’s collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, and she is excited to continue learning and growing with such an inspiring team.

VICTORIA PORUBAEVA

Victoria is currently exploring opportunities in the architectural field to apply her skills and grow professionally. She is also completing Revit courses to enhance her technical expertise and expand her capabilities in design and project management. Victoria is eager to contribute to innovative and impactful projects as she advances in her career.

JUAN CRUZ GRANDA MACKINSON

Juan Cruz is currently enrolled in an online Revit and Artificial Intelligence course offered by COAM and The Factory School, aiming to earn official certifications from Autodesk and buildingSMART. He is looking forward to starting an exciting new job in Madrid in 2025.

ALEXANDER AGGERSBJERG

DARIA IGNATIEVA

Daria is currently in Moscow, Russia, working at an architecture bureau on two significant projects. As head architect, she leads the urban development of a village park and contributes to designing a 48 km multipurpose trail in Murmansk for tourists and locals. These projects allow her to make meaningful contributions to community development.

RITA MANTEL

Rita is a junior architect at Rosan Bosch Studio, currently based in the Madrid office after a period in Copenhagen. She is working on a masterplan project in Guatemala focused on restoring an existing building, constructing a community auditorium, and adding two new buildings to support a school.

MArch Faculty and Staff

DAVID GOODMAN Dean and Professor of Architecture

David Goodman is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design and of Cornell University, and he also holds a PhD in Business Studies from the IE University, specializing in Strategy and Organization Theory. His current research deals with innovations in architecture practice and production during times of socioeconomic turbulence. Goodman is co-author of the book An Introduction to Architecture Theory: 1968 to the Present, and his work has also appeared in the Journal of Architectural Education, Technology|Architecture + Design, A+T, Log, in the anthology Chicago Architecture: Histories, Revisions, Alternatives, and in the book Walter Netsch: A Critical Appreciation and Sourcebook.

BEN VAN BERKEL

Founder and Principal Architect, UNStudio, and Thesis Chair of the Master in Architecture

Ben van Berkel studied architecture at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam and the Architectural Association in London, earning the AA Diploma with Honors in 1987. In 1988, he co-founded UNStudio with Caroline Bos in Amsterdam. His notable projects include the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Arnhem Central Station, Raffles City in Hangzhou, and the Wasl Tower in Dubai. Current projects include STH BNK in Melbourne, Chamartín Station in Madrid, and ‘Four’ in Frankfurt. He has lectured at top architectural schools worldwide, held the Kenzo Tange Visiting Professorship at Harvard GSD (2011–2018), and currently chairs the MArch Thesis program at IE School of Architecture. He also served on the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs’ advisory board (2017–2021) and gave a TEDx talk on health and architecture in 2017.

MARCELA ARAGÜEZ

Director of the Master in Architecture and Assistant Professor

Marcela is a licensed architect with an MSc and PhD from the Bartlett School of Architecture,

UCL (recipient of the UCL Turner Prize for best MSc dissertation) and an MArch from the University of Granada. Her research explores adaptable architecture design processes, focusing on post-war cross-cultural exchanges between Japan, Great Britain, and Switzerland. She has lectured in the UK, Switzerland, Japan, France, and Spain and has professional experience in Spain and Switzerland. Her work has been supported by grants and awards from institutions such as the Japan Foundation, Sasakawa Foundation, Canon Foundation, and the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain. Marcela is an Editorial Board member of Architectural Histories, the journal of the European Architectural History Network, and has published in international journals including Roadsides and Architecture Research Quarterly.

FERNANDO GARCÍA PINO

Final Thesis Director of the Master in Architecture and Adjunct Professor

Fernando is an architect and educator at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and IE University. A graduate of ETSAM (2000) with an International Doctorate cum laude and extraordinary prize of research from UPM, he co-founded Paredes Pino Arquitectos in 2001 alongside Manuel G. Paredes after notable success in international competitions. Fernando began his career collaborating with Mansilla and Tuñón Arquitectos and later joined the office of Juan Navarro Baldeweg, leading major projects like the Balcón del Guadalquivir, The Knowledge Institute in Netherlands or the Hertziana Library in Rome. His practice, Paredes Pino Arquitectos, has won over 20 national and international competitions and has been widely published in prominent journals such as El Croquis, A+U, AV, Lotus or Domus. His recent work includes the patent-pending transformable furniture system Redo-me®.

DANA BEHRMAN Director and Senior Urban Designer, UNStudio

Dana teaches at IE University and Harvard GSD alongside Ben van Berkel and is a design

studio tutor at the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam. She holds an MA with distinction from Goldsmiths, University of London (2010), a BA from the Architectural Association in London, and a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York. With 14 years of experience in award-winning international firms, she joined UNStudio’s Amsterdam office in 2014 to lead the Urban Studio, specializing in urban spatial analysis. She consults on urban visioning, site context analysis, and master planning. Her projects include an innovative district in South Netherlands, a Rotterdam social housing initiative, and master plans in Riyadh, Dubai, and Germany. She also leads the Expo City Dubai masterplan, overseeing a team of 50 designers and consultants.

MONICA PALFY

Urban Designer and Computational Specialist, UNStudio.

Mónica teaches at IE Madrid and TU Delft’s BK Faculty as part of the Digital Innovation in Urban Science department. She is also a guest lecturer in the master’s program in Metropolitan Analysis, Design, and Engineering at the AMS Institute. Mónica holds a master’s in architecture with honors from ETSAM, specializing in urban circularity, heritage, and spatial thermodynamics. She further advanced her expertise with a Master’s in GIS, Big Data, and Urban Territorial Network Modeling (Part II) at ETSAM. Since joining UNStudio’ s Urban Unit in 2021, she has focused on integrating digital tools into urban strategies, emphasizing walkability, density, and sustainable urban grids. Her work spans local developments and international masterplans, combining research-driven methodologies with collaborative planning to create safer and more vibrant cities.

ENRIQUE JEREZ ABAJO Assistant Professor in Practice

Enrique is an award-winning architect and professor of Architectural Design at IE

University, Madrid-Segovia. He holds a degree in Architecture with honors from the University of Navarra and a PhD from the University of Valladolid. His work bridges practice, research, and teaching, encompassing domestic and public architecture, interior design, and landscape interventions. Before founding Jerez Arquitectos, Enrique collaborated with renowned firms, including Otxotorena, Cano Lasso, or Mangado. In 2020, he received the Europe 40under40 Award from The Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture. His projects have earned recognition in the Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism, COAVN Awards, Castilla y León Awards, or Arquia/Próxima, and have been published in leading architecture journals and media outlets.

ALEJANDRA ALBUERNE

Assistant Professor

Alejandra is an architectural engineer with over a decade of international experience in building structures, construction history, participatory design, and heritage management. She specializes in traditional construction methods and the reuse of vernacular technologies. She has worked in Asia and Europe, including roles as a Structural Engineer in London and Madrid (Arup, Mecanismo) and as a Technical Advisor for ASF Nepal’s post-earthquake recovery in 2015. Before joining IE University, she was a Lecturer at UCL’s Institute for Sustainable Heritage and a Stipendiary Lecturer in Engineering at Oxford (2014–2016). Albuerne earned an MEng in Structural Engineering from Cambridge (2003), a postgraduate degree in Historic Structures from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (2007), and a PhD on the seismic behavior of historic masonry structures from Oxford (2014).

RAFAEL IÑIGUEZ DE ONZOÑO

Adjunct Professor

Rafael is an architect and educator who lectures at several schools of architecture. In addition to teaching construction systems, he specializes in subjects related to Typologies and

Life cycle costing in construction. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with various architectural offices and worked for several construction companies and developers. He established his own firm and has developed projects and buildings for both public and private sector clients. Key works include the Spanish Embassies, in Germany and Equatorial Guinea, and the rehabilitation of the Bank of Spain offices, in Lerida and Cuenca. He holds a professional architecture degree from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, School of Architecture (ETSAM), and he has written for leading architecture publications.

MÓNICA GARCÍA

Adjunct Professor

Mónica is an architect and graduate of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain. She holds a MArch II from Harvard University and a PhD in Architecture from ETSAM, Polytechnic University of Madrid. Mónica has collaborated with various architecture firms in France and founded Garcia-Floquet Arquitectos in Valencia, whose work was featured in the X and XI Spanish Biennials of Architecture and Urbanism. She is a professor at the Valencia School of Architecture and a guest critic at IE University, ENSAPVS and ENSAPLV in Paris. Her research focuses on experimental architectural practices in Spain from the 1960s to the present, earning her recognition as a curator and contributor to the Spanish experimental scene.

FRANCISCO JAVIER AVILÉS MONTES

Adjunct Professor

Francisco is an architect, entrepreneur, investor, university professor, judicial expert, and mediator. He is a member of the Madrid Association of Architects and the Technical Certification Committees of AENOR (AEN/CTC 003 and AEN/CTC 014). As the head of Fundamenta Arquitectura S.L.U., he specializes in legal architecture, energy efficiency, and building technology at a national level. His work has been featured in exhibitions and publications,

and he has participated in conferences and international cooperation projects. Alongside his professional practice, he is a bilingual professor at Universidad Europea and IE University, teaching Architecture, Civil Engineering, Building Engineering, and Design. At the Master’s level, he focuses on construction, regulatory compliance, installations, and energy efficiency.

MATAN MAYER

Associate Professor

Matan is an Associate Professor at IE University, where he teaches architectural design and construction courses. His research focuses on reducing the environmental impact of material use in the built environment through life cycle design strategies. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and has earned awards such as the Peter Rice Prize, the AIA Excellence in Design Award, and the ARCC Research Incentive Award. He has held research fellowships at Harvard’s Center for Green Buildings and Cities, the University of Stuttgart’s Institute for Lightweight Structures, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Mayer is an Editorial Board member at Technology | Architecture + Design (TAD) Journal and Issue Editor for “Circularity” (2023). He holds a doctorate and post-professional master’s from Harvard GSD and a B.Arch from Tel Aviv University.

BRIGITA KLUSOVSKYTE

Program Manager for Undergraduate Studies in Architecture and Master in Architecture

Brigita is a Program Manager working for the Undergraduate and Master Studies in Architecture, holding 10+ years of experience at IE University. During these years she has been recognized for her excellence in business operations and project management, having collaborated in multiple programs and initiatives for IE. Brigita holds a Law Degree from Mykolas Romeris University at Vilnius, Lithuania, and more recently completed a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at IE Business School.

CAROLINA BERGES

Program Assistant for Undergraduate Studies in Architecture and Master in Architecture

Carolina holds a degree in Fashion Design from EUCD School of Design in Montevideo, Uruguay, and a Master’s in Fashion and Sustainability. With over 8 years of international experience across three countries, Carolina has worked as a fashion designer and retail merchandiser, managing product development, visual merchandising, and client relations. Her career has offered global exposure, particularly in Asia, where she attended renowned international textile fairs like CANTON and IHGF Indian Handcrafts & Gifts. These experiences allowed her to gain expertise in material sourcing, supplier negotiations, and developing innovative products.

LORENA DELGADO

Fab Lab Technician

Lorena is Coordinator/Lab Technician of the Fab Lab at the School of Architecture and Design in the IE Tower Madrid since 2021. She is an architect from the School of Architecture of Universidad de Alcalá and a Fashion Tech Designer, specialized in biomaterials fabrication, by IED Madrid. Lorena has taught several workshops and courses related to biomaterials and digital fabrication at international schools of Design and Architecture. As a multidisciplinary designer, she has worked in some studios of Architecture, Fashion Design and Wearable research. In addition, she is a graduate with the Fab Academy Diploma, taught by the Fab Foundation with the support of MIT which recognizes her as an official professional of the Fab Lab global network.

SILVIA GARCÍA

Junior Fab Lab Technician

Silvia is an architect from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (ETSAM). She got an Erasmus scholarship that allowed her to study at the Glasgow School of Art in the United

Kingdom. Her final thesis reflected on how to regenerate abandoned parts of the city occupied by cars by giving it back to nature, creating small packs of landscape within the urban fabric. She has worked as an intern in several architecture studios and made architectural models for expositions at the city council venue Madrid CentroCentro Cibeles.