Master's in Ephemeral Architecture for Nautical Events
This master's focuses on designing and building striking, sustainable temporary spaces in the maritime environment. You will learn to create memorable experiences, from innovative stands at boat shows to floating installations, regatta villages and waterfront pavilions, working with 3D and BIM design, marine-resistant and reusable materials, lighting, sound and interactive technologies, and integrating nautical logistics, permits and safety, budgeting and experiential marketing into the production of each project.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Master's in Ephemeral Architecture for Nautical Events?
This master's treats the nautical event as an architecture project. You will study the concept and evolution of ephemeral architecture, temporary and reversible design principles, floating architecture and parametric design; site analysis in ports, beaches and at sea, visitor flows, universal accessibility, VIP and press zoning, regatta viewing points and temporary docks and gangways; modular and demountable structures, pontoons, floating platforms, tents, tensile membranes, anchoring, wind loads and ballast; outdoor stage lighting, sound, projection mapping and drone shows; production scheduling, assembly on water and weather contingency plans; permits, self-protection plans and water safety; production budgets and sponsorship; carbon footprint, ISO 20121 and plastic-free events; and the infrastructure of major events such as the America's Cup, SailGP, ocean races and international boat shows.
What sets this master's apart: while other event programs focus on hospitality and entertainment, this one is centered on the design, engineering and construction of the temporary spaces themselves, from concept and structural calculations to assembly over water and the restoration of the site; it gives digital design a full module, with BIM modeling, rendering, virtual reality, prototyping and competition entries; and it closes with a Final Project in which you design a complete ephemeral space for a nautical event, with technical documentation and a feasibility analysis.
Program highlights
- Ephemeral and floating architecture: temporary and reversible design, parametric design and brand identity in space.
- Nautical site design: visitor flows, accessibility, VIP and press zoning, regatta viewing points and temporary docks.
- Construction systems: modular structures, pontoons, floating platforms, tensile membranes, anchoring and wind loads.
- Staging and production: outdoor lighting, sound, mapping, drone shows, assembly over water and weather contingencies.
- Permits, self-protection plans, water safety, budgets, sponsorship and ISO 20121 sustainable events.
- Final Project: the complete design of an ephemeral space for a nautical event.
Syllabus of the Master's in Ephemeral Architecture for Nautical Events
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Foundations of ephemeral architecture
- 1.1. The concept and evolution of ephemeral architecture
- 1.2. The nautical environment as a setting
- 1.3. Types of nautical events
- 1.4. Principles of temporary and reversible design
- 1.5. References and case studies
- 1.6. Historical pavilions and temporary architecture
- 1.7. Ephemeral floating architecture
- 1.8. Parametric design in ephemeral architecture
- 1.9. Brand identity in space
- 1.10. The visitor experience
Designing spaces for nautical events
- 2.1. Site analysis: port, beach and sea
- 2.2. Functional program and visitor flows
- 2.3. Conceptual design and spatial narrative
- 2.4. Graphic representation and 3D modeling
- 2.5. Universal accessibility
- 2.6. Zoning of VIP, public and press areas
- 2.7. Regatta viewing points
- 2.8. Design of temporary docks and gangways
- 2.9. Signage and wayfinding
- 2.10. Technical site layout drawings
Materials and construction systems
- 3.1. Modular and demountable structures
- 3.2. Pontoons, floating platforms and tents
- 3.3. Materials resistant to the marine environment
- 3.4. Anchoring and wind loads
- 3.5. Sustainability and reuse
- 3.6. Scaffolding and tubular structures
- 3.7. Canvas and tensile membranes
- 3.8. Calculation of loads and ballast
- 3.9. Assembly over water
- 3.10. Certification of temporary structures
Lighting, sound and scenography
- 4.1. Outdoor stage lighting design
- 4.2. Sound systems in open spaces
- 4.3. Screens, projections and mapping
- 4.4. Maritime-themed scenography
- 4.5. Technical integration
- 4.6. Night lighting on the water
- 4.7. Fireworks and drone shows
- 4.8. Noise control and neighbors
- 4.9. Weatherproof technical equipment
- 4.10. Coordination of technical stage management
Event production and assembly
- 5.1. Planning and assembly schedule
- 5.2. Management of suppliers and technical teams
- 5.3. Maritime and land logistics
- 5.4. Quality control during assembly
- 5.5. Dismantling and restoration of the site
- 5.6. Management of assembly crews
- 5.7. Transport of structures to the port
- 5.8. Weather contingency plans
- 5.9. Coordination with port authorities
- 5.10. Handover and return of spaces
Safety, permits and regulations
- 6.1. Municipal and port permits
- 6.2. Self-protection and evacuation plans
- 6.3. Structural safety and certifications
- 6.4. Water safety and coordination with rescue services
- 6.5. Insurance and liability
- 6.6. Coordination with maritime search and rescue
- 6.7. Access control and capacity limits
- 6.8. Private security and civil protection
- 6.9. First aid and medical services
- 6.10. Emergency management on the water
Financial and commercial management
- 7.1. Production budgets
- 7.2. Sponsorship and branding
- 7.3. Ticketing and hospitality
- 7.4. Relations with clients and promoters
- 7.5. Measuring event return
- 7.6. Cost control and variances
- 7.7. Supplier contracts
- 7.8. Merchandising and food service
- 7.9. Event taxation
- 7.10. Results reports
Sustainability and environmental impact
- 8.1. Carbon footprint of events
- 8.2. Waste management and the circular economy
- 8.3. Protection of the marine environment during the event
- 8.4. ISO 20121 certification
- 8.5. Communicating sustainability
- 8.6. Measuring environmental impact
- 8.7. Sustainable mobility to the event
- 8.8. Local and responsible suppliers
- 8.9. Plastic-free events
- 8.10. The event's legacy for the community
Major international nautical events: cases and management
- 9.1. The America's Cup and its infrastructure
- 9.2. Ocean races and race villages
- 9.3. SailGP and spectator-driven formats
- 9.4. International boat shows
- 9.5. Maritime festivals and tall ships
- 9.6. Olympic sailing events
- 9.7. Relations with federations and organizers
- 9.8. Broadcasting and television production
- 9.9. Economic impact on the host city
- 9.10. Comparative case analysis
Digital design, visualization and presentation of ephemeral architecture projects
- 10.1. 3D modeling with BIM tools
- 10.2. Rendering and photorealistic visualization
- 10.3. Virtual reality for project presentation
- 10.4. Prototyping and scale models
- 10.5. Design of stands and pavilions
- 10.6. Technical documentation for assembly
- 10.7. Presentation to clients and promoters
- 10.8. Event design competitions and tenders
- 10.9. Professional portfolio
- 10.10. A complete project for an ephemeral nautical space
Final Project
- 11.1. Definition of the problem, objectives and scope of the project: an ephemeral space for a nautical event
- 11.2. Review of the state of the art and the applicable regulatory framework
- 11.3. Methodology, resources and work plan
- 11.4. Technical development and analysis of results
- 11.5. Conclusions, feasibility and future lines of work
- 11.6. Preparation of the project report and presentation and defense before an academic panel
- 11.7. Choice of topic and definition of the design problem
- 11.8. Formulation of objectives, hypotheses and scope of the work
- 11.9. Analysis of the applicable regulatory and technical framework
- 11.10. Design of the methodology and the work plan
Duration and format of the Master's in Ephemeral Architecture for Nautical Events
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Ephemeral Architecture for Nautical Events
Career opportunities after the Master's in Ephemeral Architecture for Nautical Events
Questions about the Master's in Ephemeral Architecture for Nautical Events
Nautical events and ephemeral architecture: the design, planning, construction and management of temporary structures for events in ports, marinas, beaches and on the water.
It is centered on the architecture of the event: designing and building the temporary spaces, from concept, materials and structural loads to assembly over water, staging, permits and dismantling, rather than on hospitality or entertainment programming.
Stands and pavilions at boat shows, regatta and race villages, floating platforms and installations, temporary docks and viewing areas, waterfront festivals and exhibitions with a nautical theme.
It is helpful but not essential. One full module covers BIM modeling, rendering, virtual reality and technical documentation, and the admission interview will confirm that your profile fits.
Online, with round-the-clock access to the learning materials and individual tutoring, designed to fit around your professional work.
Through design exercises, technical documentation and case studies throughout the modules and a Final Project in which you design a complete ephemeral space for a nautical event.
A Navalis Institute master's certificate and a complete project, with drawings, visualizations and technical documentation, that you can add to your professional portfolio.
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Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: a degree in architecture, interior design, fine arts or a related field, or professional experience in event design and production, ephemeral architecture or the nautical sector. Familiarity with design software such as AutoCAD, Rhinoceros or SketchUp is an advantage.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer able to run 3D design and rendering software, a stable internet connection and a camera and microphone for online sessions.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.