MAEBB 02Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities + Thesis Project (2 year programme)
| Study location | Spain, Barcelona |
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| Type | Master, full-time |
| Nominal duration | 17 months (120 ECTS) |
| Study language | English |
| Awards | MAEBB 02 |
| Tuition fee | €28,000 per year IAAC determines tuition fees based on passport fee status. Please make sure to select your citizenship/nationality to display the corresponding tuition fee. Tuitoin fees do not include an enrolment deposit of 3,800€ required to secure your place in the programme after being offered an acceptance. The enrolment deposit is non-refundable. |
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| Application fee | €50 one-time |
| Deposit | €3,800 one-time Non refundable |
| Entry qualification | Bachelor diploma (or higher) The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. You must take verified copies of the entry qualification documents along with you when you finally go to the university. Accepted students whose Bachelor’s degree is not issued in Spanish must 1) legalise and 2) translate their documents before their arrival to Spain. More information will be provided upon acceptance |
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| Language requirements | English All IAAC activities and academic programmes (with the exception of Maestría en Urbanismo Próximo (MaUP) are conducted in English. Therefore, applicants are expected to be proficient in their use of this language. Applicants do not need to submit an English proficiency certificate for their application. Their language skills will be assessed during the admissions interview. Note: Applicants in possession of an English proficiency certificate are welcomed to submit it as a supporting document (not mandatory). |
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| Other requirements | At least 2 reference(s) must be provided. Applicants must submit two (2) letters of recommendation to apply. Recommendations can come from either academic or professional sources. Applicants may choose from the following options to submit their recommendation letters: 1. Provide referee information: Enter the name and contact information (email) of each referee in the application system. IAAC will send an automated email to the referee to request their recommendation. 2. Upload letters directly: Applicants who already have their recommendation letters may upload them in the designated upload field. A motivation letter must be added to your application. Your letter of intent, or motivation statement should be written in English detailing your motivation and adequacy for the programme you are applying to. Tips: A relevant portfolio is required. A Portfolio showcasing samples of your work in English. Note: Specific requirements for Non-EU applicants: Non-EU citizens who plan to study in Spain for a period of more than three months must apply for an “open”, multiple-entry student visa. This type of visa (Visado de Estudios) is valid for entering the European Union’s Schengen Area for three months from the date of issue. Visa applications are processed by the Spanish consulate(s) in the country of residence of the applicant. We strongly encourage applicants from outside the EU to apply well in advance to allow for sufficient time to process their Spanish student visa. Note: To apply for your student visa, you will need to submit some apostilled or legalised documents. To avoid delays with your visa application, please start researching the required list of documents as soon as possible. |
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Overview
The Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities (MAEBB) equips students to design and build the next generation of buildings and cities that address the planet’s urgent climate challenges.
Based at IAAC’s Valldaura Campus in Barcelona’s Collserola Park, MAEBB students live and work immersed in nature, while mastering advanced techniques in ecological building and thinking, material production, and sustainable construction.
The programme combines hands-on learning with interdisciplinary skills in design, fabrication, and material experimentation, encouraging collaboration among students to conceptualise and create full-scale, mass timber ecological structures. Through seminars, workshops, and masterclasses covering topics like digital fabrication, thermodynamics, and solar energy, MAEBB prepares students to lead in the design and development of radical, sustainable architecture solutions for the future.
Programme structure
The MAEBB programme offers an immersive learning experience at IAAC’s Valldaura Campus, where students live, work, and build together in a natural environment. Following IAAC’s “learn-by-doing” philosophy, students design and construct a full-scale ecological building while engaging in interdisciplinary courses and workshops on ecological design and construction. All project work is documented on an open online platform, encouraging collaboration across a diverse, international community.
MAEBB + Thesis Project (Two-Year)
The first year of the MAEBB + Thesis Project follows the same structure as the MAEBB programme, consisting of three terms over 11 months.
In the second year, structured into three terms over six months, students focus on developing an Individual Thesis Project. During this time, they advance their knowledge in key areas, transform their research into viable, real-world solutions, and create prototypes that demonstrate the practical application of ecological and sustainable design principles.
To learn more about MAEBB´s academic structure, courses, faculty and career prospectus please visit our website: