IAAC

What IAAC does

IAAC (Institut d'Arquitectura Avançada de Catalunya), founded in 2001 and headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, is a non-profit foundation operating as a center of education, research, and innovation in advanced architecture and design. Its operating model rests on postgraduate Master's programmes (e.g., Master in Advanced Architecture, Master in Ecological Architecture & Advanced Construction, Master in AI for Architecture and Business Innovation with EADA, Master in Design for Emergent Futures with Elisava, and Master in Advanced Computational Design for Architecture), supplemented by an annual Global Summer School, a CIEE-partnered Global Architecture & Design semester abroad programme, and Fab Academy Barcelona (linked to MIT's MAS 863 via Fab Lab Barcelona). Degrees are accredited through Universitat de Lleida under EHEA standards, which is significant since IAAC cannot grant degrees directly as a private foundation.

The technology stack centers on digital fabrication (laser cutters, CNC milling, 3D printing) via Fab Lab Barcelona, robotics via the IAAC Robotics Lab, and ecological-building prototyping at the Valldaura Campus in Collserola Natural Park. Specialized labs (Green Fab Lab, Food Lab, Energy Lab) extend the platform into sustainability and food systems. Applied computational design uses third-party AEC tools (Grasshopper, Rhinoceros 3D, Python) rather than proprietary in-house software. Pedagogically, IAAC combines hands-on "learn-by-doing" studios, public lectures, exhibitions, and scholarship competitions.

IAAC's revenue model is tuition-led. Programme pricing is differentiated by nationality (Non-EU / EU / Spanish) and modality (1-year, 2-year with thesis, on-campus, online). Indicative fees span €9,540–€31,800 for in-person Master's programmes, €12,000–€15,000 for online Master's programmes, and €340–€1,200 for Global Summer School workshops. Application fees (€50), non-refundable enrolment deposits (€2,800–€3,800), and pre-course fees (€1,200–€1,500) contribute supplementary revenue. Customer segments are practicing architects/designers/engineers and recent graduates (B2C individuals), with a secondary "Industry Partner" segment for knowledge transfer. Direct staff costs of €707,918 (Dec 31, 2024) imply a small-to-mid operating scale and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

IAAC

Legal name

Institut d'Arquitectura Avançada de Catalunya

Website

https://iaac.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Short description

IAAC is a Barcelona-based non-profit foundation (founded 2001) delivering postgraduate Master's programmes, summer schools, and study-abroad courses in advanced architecture, computational design, digital fabrication, and AI applied to the built environment, serving practicing architects, designers, and recent graduates from 128+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition fees for master programmes. Fees vary by student nationality (Non-EU, EU, Spanish) and programme format (1-year, 2-year, on-campus, online). Includes enrolment deposits that are non-refundable.
2. Application Fees: Non-refundable €50 application fee charged to all applicants submitting through the IAAC Application Portal
3. Pre-course Fees: Additional fees for preparatory intensive courses required or recommended for accepted applicants to refine proficiency in software and tools. Fees range from €1,200 to €1,500 depending on modules assigned.
4. Global Summer School: Summer programme with workshop fees ranging from €340-€1,200 depending on format (onsite vs online, early bird vs regular)
5. CIEE Partnership Programme: Semester-long study abroad programme Global Architecture & Design offered in partnership with CIEE (U.S.A.)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IAAC is a non-profit educational institution that delivers postgraduate master's programmes, summer schools, and study abroad programmes focused on advanced architecture, computational design, AI for architecture, ecological construction, and emergent futures design. Its programmes are delivered across on-campus and online formats, leveraging Fab Lab Barcelona's digital fabrication facilities and the Valldaura Campus for hands-on, project-based learning accredited by Universitat de Lleida.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fab Lab Barcelona: Digital fabrication laboratory and maker space operated by IAAC, providing access to advanced fabrication technologies
• Valldaura Labs
• Global Summer School

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of IAAC Alumni find employment within 6 months of completing their Master's programme
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Fundación Bosch Aymerich (FBA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026IAAC and Fundación Bosch Aymerich launched a new research scholarship at MIT for Spanish graduates. The Bosch Aymerich Scholarship Programme enables Spanish graduates to pursue research at MIT, strengthening academic mobility and international research collaboration.
• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Through the FBA & MIT Scholarship Programme, IAAC facilitates research opportunities at MIT for Spanish graduates in fields related to advanced architecture and innovation.
• UIA (Union of International Architects)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026IAAC has been appointed Digital Fabrication Partner of the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 Barcelona, producing pieces for the International Emerging Workshop that will form part of the Congress's Central Exhibition. This partnership positions IAAC as a key player in global architectural discourse.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIAAC partners with CIEE to offer the semester-long study abroad programme Global Architecture & Design. CIEE is a U.S.-based organization facilitating international educational exchanges, providing IAAC access to American students seeking global learning experiences in architecture and design.
• EADA Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Master in AI for Architecture and Business Innovation is developed by IAAC in collaboration with EADA Business School. This partnership combines IAAC's expertise in architecture and technology with EADA's business education capabilities, enabling students to develop entrepreneurial skills alongside technical knowledge.
• Elisava Barcelona School of Design and EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Master in Design for Emergent Futures is organized by IAAC in collaboration with Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering. The programme integrates Elisava's design education expertise with IAAC's advanced architecture and fabrication capabilities.
• Fab AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAAC hosts Fab Academy Barcelona, a programme led by Neil Gershenfeld of MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms. Fab Academy provides students with hands-on learning experience and access to cutting-edge tools through a distributed educational model based on MIT's rapid prototyping course.
• Fab Lab BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough Fab Lab Barcelona, IAAC fosters maker culture and provides access to advanced fabrication technologies. Fab Lab Barcelona operates as IAAC's primary digital fabrication laboratory supporting student projects and research initiatives.
• Universitat de Lleida (UdL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll IAAC programmes award Lifelong Learning Postgraduate Master degrees accredited by Universitat de Lleida, adhering to the standards of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). UdL is IAAC's accrediting university partner.
• Barcelona Tech CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAAC participates in the Barcelona Tech City ecosystem, a technology and innovation hub connecting companies, universities, and research centers in Barcelona's technology district.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL): UCL Bartlett is a globally recognised postgraduate architecture school with strong emphasis on computational design, fabrication, and urbanism — directly comparable curriculum overlap with IAAC's master programmes.
• TU Delft, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment: TU Delft Faculty of Architecture is a leading European architecture school with strong technology, sustainability, and computational research — comparable curricular and student profile to IAAC.
• ETH Zurich, Department of Architecture: ETH Zurich D-ARCH is a top European architecture school combining technology, computation, and sustainability research, attracting an international cohort similar to IAAC's.
• SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture): SCI-Arc is a US postgraduate architecture school with a similar experimental, technology-forward orientation and a comparable reliance on fabrication labs and applied studios.
• MIT School of Architecture and Planning: MIT SAP is a leading architecture school and IAAC's partner via the Fab Academy Barcelona programme led by Neil Gershenfeld; both share a digital fabrication and computation focus.
• Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering: Elisava is IAAC's co-developer on the Master in Design for Emergent Futures; both are Barcelona-based design/engineering schools with overlapping postgraduate design and fabrication offerings.
• Architectural Association (AA) School of Architecture: London-based AA is a leading independent postgraduate architecture school offering advanced design, computation, and technology programmes with a comparable experimental ethos and international student mix to IAAC.

Emerging players

• École des Ponts ParisTech: French grande école with architecture and urban engineering postgraduate tracks; competes for European applicants interested in advanced computational and ecological architecture.

Broad incumbents

• Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD): Harvard GSD is a much larger and more broadly established design/architecture school with overlapping advanced studios in architecture, urbanism, and technology; competes for top-tier international applicants that IAAC also targets.

Others

• Fab Foundation: Fab Foundation coordinates the global Fab Lab network in which IAAC's Fab Lab Barcelona and Fab Academy Barcelona operate; adjacent ecosystem operator rather than a direct academic competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iaac
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/iaacat
• Facebookfacebook.com/IaaC.BCN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-advanced-architecture-of-catalonia
• Instagraminstagram.com/iaacbcn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IAAC