BARA
Project Overview
About
BARA rethinks concrete construction with a hybrid system combining 3D printing and casting using cement alternatives with up to 70% biochar. Parametric design maximizes surface area and embeds carbon-storing infill, turning buildings into carbon sinks. Compatible with carbon credit standards and adaptable for façades or large-scale structures, BARA offers a creative, measurable path toward decarbonizing construction, merging digital design, environmental strategy, and material circularity into a single architecture system for climate action
Team
Danielle Louise Ferreira Santos
IAAC – Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
Danielle Louise is an architect whose international journey spans Brazil, Spain, Germany, Poland, and Serbia. She holds a Master in Advanced Architecture from IAAC (Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia) and a Bachelor in Architecture and Urban Planning. Her career blends technical expertise with imaginative design, exploring sustainable architecture, innovative materials, and emerging technologies. Through design development, digital fabrication, and project coordination, Danielle transforms complex challenges into meaningful spaces. Her adaptability, curiosity, and collaborative spirit have shaped a practice that is both precise and visionary, reflecting a commitment to expanding the boundaries of contemporary architecture.
Opal Markus Ilan
IAAC – Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
"I’m an architect with a Bachelor’s from Tel Aviv University (2019–2024), where I focused my projects on sustainability, material innovation, and climate-responsive design. Along the way, I initiated and led the development of an AI-based visualization team at DBLK Architects, exploring tools that strengthen architectural storytelling. I recently completed a Master’s in Advanced Architecture at IAAC Barcelona (2024–2025), where my main studio was Digital Matter, focused on carbon-negative systems, digital fabrication, and 3D-printed concrete. There, I co-initiated the BARA project, which explores the architectural potential of biochar. Rooted in a deep connection to nature, I aim to develop material systems that merge ecological thinking with design."
Matias Chadwick
IAAC – Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia
Matias Chadwick is a Chilean architect with over 15 years of experience in Australia, where he worked at Hassell, one of the country’s leading design practices. At the forefront of innovative and city-shaping projects, his work focused on delivering cutting-edge conceptual design for large-scale commercial and public developments that enrich and transform communities. Now based in Barcelona, he recently completed a Master in Advanced Architecture at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) and is pursuing a Postgraduate in 3D Printing Architecture, with research centered on advanced 3D printing and material innovation.
Pamela Alejandra Sanchez Estrella
Gallery
