Welcome to the Research Division of CoLab at TU Berlin
At CoLab, we focus on finding creative and sustainable solutions to today’s challenges. Our research connects ideas from different fields to create practical outcomes that benefit communities and the environment.
Working closely with students, researchers, and partners from industry and academia, we combine theory and practice to bring innovative concepts to life. Our projects often overlap with teaching and hands-on collaboration, making research a shared experience.
From urban transformation and digital tools to ecological design and community-focused projects, our work covers a wide range of topics. Each project is an opportunity to learn, innovate, and make a difference.
Take a closer look at some of our key research projects, showcasing how CoLab contributes to meaningful advancements in design and sustainability.
Significant Research Projects
– Plastic![!] –
- Plastic![1]: This project evolved from the Design Matter series, focusing specifically on recycling plastic waste. The aim was to transform waste into valuable resources for public spaces, such as playgrounds and community areas.
- Plastic!![2]: A continuation and expansion of the Plastic! project, this phase introduced more advanced recycling techniques and showcased practical applications of sustainable design in urban contexts.
– Crush Up –
- Crush Up VI: Investigating advanced techniques in material reuse, focusing on innovative recycling methods and their applications in urban architecture.
- Crush Up V: Exploring structural transformations and sustainable material applications to enhance urban spaces.
- Crush Up IV: Developing practical recycling solutions and integrating them into architectural designs to demonstrate sustainability.
- Crush Up III: In July 2022, CoLab presented the results of “Crush Up III” at the IfA Exhibition at TU Berlin. The pavilion, constructed from waste materials, showcased innovative sustainable architecture developed over three semesters by 80 students.
- Crush Up II: Focused on advancing sustainable design strategies by using recycled materials and exploring innovative construction techniques in collaboration with students.
- Crush Up I: The inaugural project introduced the concept of recycled waste materials in construction, laying the foundation for future projects that integrate environmental consciousness with architectural innovation.
– DikieHo –
- Micro to Macro: Examining the scaling of design solutions from small prototypes to large applications.
- Bamboo Belt Union: Exploring sustainable bamboo usage in construction and design.
– Design Matter –
- Design Matter I: The first in a series of projects focusing on sustainable design and material reuse. This phase explored fundamental concepts of recycling and repurposing materials to create innovative architectural solutions.
- Design Matter II: Building on the initial phase, this project emphasized collaborative approaches to urban challenges, using recycled materials in new, impactful ways.
- Design Matter III: The culmination of the series refined earlier concepts and introduced scalable solutions for integrating sustainability into architectural practice.
CA²RE+ (Collective Evaluation of Design Driven Doctoral Training)
- CA²RE Berlin Conference: Hosted at TU Berlin, this conference brought together researchers in architecture and the arts for peer-reviewed presentations, fostering collaboration and advancing innovative research.
– BER Flughafen –
- Behind the Closed Doors I: A study of the transformation and repurposing of closed spaces within the BER Airport.
- Behind the Closed Doors II: Advanced strategies for integrating abandoned infrastructure into modern urban designs.