MADE: Master in Architectural Design Ecology

MADE (Master’s in Architectural Design Ecology) offers advanced training in architectural design, integrating urban ecologies, computational technologies, and architectural discourse. This master’s program is designed to equip architects and architectural thinkers with innovative design methodologies, enabling them to develop a systemic and ecological perspective at the architectural scale. Students will explore cutting-edge digital design techniques and execute projects through digital and physical prototypes that systematically relate to the city.

Enrolled students will work with internationally experienced faculty in a landmark city like Barcelona, where architecture plays a central role in urban culture on a global scale. Committed to the value of architecture and public space, the city serves as a dynamic laboratory for testing the prototypical nature of developed projects. Living in Barcelona enriches the learning experience, immersing students in an architectural ecosystem that integrates advanced practices, historical landmarks, a vibrant architectural community, and dynamic public spaces. Students will conduct research that bridges theory and technology within an architectural experimentation setting.

Official master’s degree
MADE is an official master’s program (60 ECTS) offered by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). Outstanding students may have the opportunity to enter the UPC Architecture Design PhD program and pursue an academic career.

Led by the Department of Architectural Design at ETSAV, the faculty includes specialists in Theory and History, Technology, Mathematics, Representation, Computation, and Urban Design.

This program combines critical perspectives with architectural projects in the digital age. In today’s architectural field, professionals with strong digital skills and an ecosystemic understanding of the city are highly valued by companies and public administrations.

Graduates of MADE will gain international experience and build a professional network through their studies, significantly enhancing their career opportunities.  Students have the option to participate in a semester-long exchange program with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago. As technological advancements in AI, modeling, simulation, and fabrication continue to evolve, architects must be prepared for lifelong learning and possess a global perspective on architectural practice and culture.

Information about the courses here. Useful information here. Pre-enrolment here. Contact here. The online information session on March 4 can be accessed here.