Matthew Crabbe
Originally from the UK, Matt has been based in Berlin since 2011 and joined the Natural Building Lab as a teaching and research associate in April 2018. Matt is an idealist and thinks that group skills are underpriced in architecture school, often in favour of a competitive attitude to design, that has its endgame in a highly capitalistic, intractable and environmentally unfriendly building sector. At NBL he values the chance to collaborate with a huge variety of likeminded and inspirational people, on projects which present a more hopeful vision for the built environment. His big wish is to inspire and empower NBLers to realise these visions in their own practice.
Matt has been a teaching and research associate at Natural Building Lab since April 2018. Matt studied Architecture at the TU Berlin and the University of Newcastle upon-Tyne in the UK. Between 2011-19 he worked with Berlin based ZRS Architekten Ingenieure in various capacities, where he was engaged in a wide variety of projects and competitions with a focus on the use and potential of natural building materials. Through a series of projects involving the sensitive conservation of historic buildings in the middle east, he was able to gather extensive hands-on experience collaborating with large intercultural teams on complex projects.
During his time with ZRS Architekten Matt developed an interest in the “agile organisation” as a mechanism to allow organisations to better cope with change. Since joining Natural Building Lab, he has had the chance to apply these ideas in both teaching and practice contexts through projects such as the Infozentrale auf dem Vollgut and Taller Tropical Moravia. His doctoral thesis “Agile Collaborations in Spatial Practice: Applications for an Agile Approach in the Changing Practice of Architecture” aims to formulate an agile approach relevant for a new generation of architects, who’s practice will be defined by their ability to succeed in an uncertain and turbulent environment.
Matt has a strong interest in communication, interpretation and graphic design also working as a freelance architectural photographer. Matt can also regularly be found engaged in cargo bike logistics and advanced tension-belt handling.
Employment:
- Since 2019 / ongoing Doctoral Thesis “Agile Collaborations in Spatial Practice: Applications for an Agile Approach in the Changing Practice of Architecture”
- Since April 2018 / Natural Building Lab, constructive design & climate adaptive architecture, Prof. Eike Roswag-Klinge, TU Berlin: Teaching & Research Associate
- 2016 – 2019 / Project Architect, ZRS Architekten, Berlin
- 2011 – 2016 / Student Assistant, ZRS Architekten, Berlin
Practice:
- 2018-2019 / Infozentrale auf dem Vollgut, Berlin-Neukölln – DesignBuild Project, Natural Building Lab, TU Berlin, winner of special prize in Holzbau+ Bundeswettbewerb and runner up in Deutsche Holzbaupreis 2019
- 2018 / Taller Tropical Moravia, Medellin, Columbia – DesignBuild Project as part of Urban Lab Medellin Berlin partnership with Natural Building Lab, TU Berlin & Urban Oasis
- 2018 / Eden Agora, Oranienburg – 10 Day DesignBuild workshop as part of Re:eden design studio and Eden communities 125th jubilee celebrations with Natural Building Lab, TU Berlin & Habitat Unit, TU Berlin
- 2017-18 / Qasr al-Hosn, Abu Dhabi – ZRS Architekten, conservation consultancy, design services and site supervision for the conservation of an historic palace using traditional natural materials and techniques combined with contemporary engineering expertise
- 2016-17 / Bambuswelten, IGA Marzahn – ZRS Architekten, conception, design and construction of an experimental 8m bamboo tower with accompanying exhibition on the use of bamboo in construction as part of the IGA 2017 in Berlin, Marzahn.
