UIC Barcelona School of Architecture is actively participating in REBUILD 2024, which kicked off today at IFEMA Madrid and is set to transform the Spanish city into the world capital of technological innovation in building until 21 March. Over the course of the next three days, attendees will bear witness to all the solutions, models and ideas that are revolutionising building today. Among them will be several members of UIC Barcelona School of Architecture teaching staff, who will take an active role in the event: 

Borja Ferrater, founding partner of OAB, will take part in “BREINCO | Permeable pavements to create Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)”. Ferrater won the FAD prize for “ephemeral architecture”, alongside Carlos Ferrater, for the Madrid exhibition “M.C. Escher. The Art of the Impossible”, winner of the Wallpaper* Design Awards for the Roca Barcelona Gallery building. Permeable pavements in urban environments are a sustainable solution for rainwater management, helping to improve water quality and promote a harmonious relationship between city and nature. 

Yomna K. Abdallah, UIC Barcelona School of Architecture lecturer, will discuss generative architectural design, the process of using algorithms and computational methods to create and develop architectural forms. This approach represents a dynamic interaction between traditional design approaches and cutting-edge technologies. Generative design, influenced by BIM Data, is capable of creating responsive and adaptive architectural solutions. As BIM captures and manages data over the course of a building’s lifecycle, its generative design algorithms are able to adapt designs based on predictive or real-time information. This has led to a new form of human-machine collaboration. 

Felipe Pich-Aguilera, founder of Pich-Architects and UIC Barcelona School of Architecture lecturer, together with Mauro Manca, Sustainability lecturer and founder and director of Energreen Design, will take part in a round table on “the advanced conception and construction of museums and art centres”. It will address innovative architectural design that integrates interactive technologies for exhibitions and spacial adaptability. 

Maria Isabel Gabarró, director of the Master’s Degree in Architecture & Design Business Management at UIC Barcelona, will discuss “Architectural Business Development”, and the obstacles facing architects today. 

Alberto T. Estévez, from UIC Barcelona School of Architecture and director of the Master’s Degree in Biodigital Architecture, will give an interactive presentation on the future of sustainable architecture, addressing “biophilic design” and discussing innovative materials, energy-efficient designs and smart city integration. He will also participate in a round table on “new technologies and systems in Construction 4.0”, and the role of artificial intelligence in decision-making and project management. Augmented reality, drones, 3D printing and the Internet of Things (IoT) will be just some themes discussed as part of the debate on our journey towards a more advanced, efficient, sustainable, safe and connected sector.