The MPDA Master’s program at the UPC School concludes each year with a built project that unites innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. This edition took place in the mountain town of Alp, where students designed and constructed a new sports pavilion. The project reflects the essence of the program: applying advanced knowledge in geometry, computational design, and digital fabrication to create lightweight, low-impact structures while collaborating with local institutions to provide meaningful public spaces.

In only four months, the team developed the architectural concept, structural analysis, and fabrication strategy using parametric tools that ensured precision and material efficiency. The components were produced at Tallfusta and LaserPenta using CNC machining, combining five-axis milling for the most complex joints with more accessible three-axis fabrication for the majority of beams and panels. A pre-assembly phase in the workshop ensured accuracy before transporting the elements to Alp.

The pavilion is a segmented wooden shell composed of planar hexagonal modules, designed as an antifunicular ribbed structure with multiple entrances that open it to its surroundings. Perimeter beams carry the main loads, while Garnica poplar plywood provides in-plane stiffness. A key innovation was the rationalization of the joints, balancing structural performance with sustainability and simplified manufacturing.

The construction phase became an intense collective effort. Over the course of a single week, students and faculty installed the foundation, assembled the prefabricated structure, and positioned the final membrane. Beyond its architectural value, the project served as a rare full-scale learning experience, revealing the entire process from parametric modeling to on-site assembly, and leaving Alp with a lightweight, sustainable pavilion that will serve the community for years to come.

Keywords: Form Finding, Segmented Timber Funnel Shells, Planar Quad Corrugated Shells, Dynamic Relaxation, Resilient Architecture, Pre-Fabrication, Funicular Structure Design.

Students: Khalid Abbood, Bilgenur Balkiz, Mihir Bhamare, Agustina Couzier, Arvind Das, Rahel Degu, Helly Desai, Youssef Essam, Davis Gan, Sara Guessous, Pravin Kandasamy, Maciej Król, Dana Mneimneh, Jaume Monclús, Nathaly Osorio, Tomás Pérez, Sayed Sanobar, Sena Sezer, Damla Şişman, Anna Solà, Maria Tzavida, Martin Uquillas, Mehad Yasser

Faculty: Gerard Bertomeu, Quim Escoda, Enrique Soriano, Pep Tornabell, Rafael Hellín, Bruno García

Guest Professors: Almudena Majano, Antonio Lara, Matthew Tam, Simon Vorhammer

Pictures: Andrés Flajszer, Arvind Das (drone)

Sponsor Companies: Rothoblaas (timber screw systems), Festool (hardware)

Industrial: Tallfusta, Sumeplast, Garnica, Laserpenta, Piloedre, Tecnodimension