A&D Labs

The A&D Labs at IE School of Architecture and Design are spaces where technology, creativity, and hands-on experimentation come together to support innovation in architecture and design. Equipped with tools ranging from 3D printers and laser cutters to woodworking and textile fabrication equipment, the labs enable students and faculty to develop multidisciplinary projects across different scales and mediums.

Operating across both the Madrid and Segovia campuses, the A&D Labs provide integrated access to specialized resources, technical expertise, and collaborative workspaces. By combining digital fabrication with material exploration and prototyping, the labs foster an environment of experimentation, making, and continuous learning that supports the entire design process from concept to realization.

As David Goodman, Dean of IE School of Architecture and Design, says:

“It is not enough to have a good idea or a formal idea. Architects and designers have to think about how those things will actually be made, and there is no better way to do that than by testing and actually building prototypes.”

This is the purpose of Fab—to give students access to the environment, materials, and advanced technology that can allow that spark of an idea to ignite. In this ingenious space, students are able to experience our learn-by-doing philosophy first hand, exploring different digital and analog design processes using a broad variety of tools.