Making Matters: Anupama Kundoo on material-conscious and sustainable architecture

Making matters. Rethinking materiality

Prof. Dr. Anupama Kundoo
Head of the department "Making Matters" Architecture and Design Methods at Technische Universität Berlin

The slogan ‘Making Matters’ summarises the architectural thinking of Indian architect Anupama Kundoo: it is not only the finished building that counts, but above all the process of construction itself. Her work shows that materials, craftsmanship and sustainable construction methods play a key role in the future of architecture. By combining traditional techniques with innovative approaches, she develops resource-saving and socially responsible solutions and asks how architecture can fulfil the universal human longing for refuge, meaning and social engagement.

The conscious use of materials, traditional craftsmanship and sustainable construction methods were also at the centre of her presentation at BAU 2025, in which she presented her research into the material science, economic and social aspects of construction.

She pointed out that fascinating buildings have always not necessarily been based on material innovations. Similar to the concept of ‘from farm to fork’ in modern cuisine, the focus is less on unusual materials and more on exotic recipes that allow for ever new realisations. Kundoo also highlighted the importance of human time as a resource and reflected on how the time value of money leads to code-based design and industrialised production of building components—and sometimes entire buildings. Careful consideration needs to be given to where standardisation and mass production make sense and where they actually only contribute to unsustainable practice. The issue of over-regulation was also raised—because not all regulations are relevant to safety, but are based on habits.

Projects such as the “Wall House” or her research on clay bricks and low-tech construction methods show that architecture can not only design, but also have a positive ecological and social impact. Her research shows practical ways in which sustainable architecture can be designed with added social value.

For Kundoo, ‘Making Matters’ means that conscious and well thought-out construction makes the difference. This also includes thinking and working with your hands...