The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Matthew's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Matthew
Dr Matthew Fox is an architect, lecturer, and researcher in sustainable architecture at the University of Plymouth. Matthew’s research interests include earth construction, thermography, Building Performance Evaluation, living wall systems and transient thermal investigation.
Some of Matthew’s research projects have included participating in:
- CobBauge. In the field of earthen construction, Matthew is currently working as a researcher on the CobBauge project, which is a European Interreg funded project aimed at developing an optimised version of traditional cob that can meet current standards / regulations for thermal performance.
- Co-Designing CobBauge Futures. Investigating how CobBauge could move from the monolithic in-situ wet-formed walling methodology to a more modular / block form to improve commercialisation and application of this earthen material.
- DeViz. Funded by Creds, the DeViz project where thermal imaging was used to engage contractors’ mid-construction to understand how builders can be educated and motivated to minimise building defects formed during the construction phase.
- Living Walls. Working through the Low Carbon Devon project. Measuring the thermal benefits that can be gained from adding an external living wall façade to existing buildings. Working with plant and earth scientists to optimise the plant, substrate and living wall system to improve the thermal insulation and cooling properties of living walls.
- Care Home IAQ. Investigating different internal IAQ parameters in care homes to better understand the quality of air that care residents live under. Links are made between the quality of the air, the location of the care home and past research into links with human health such as mental health issues.
- Hospital Ward Temperatures. Monitoring the changes in patient bed space temperatures within an orthopaedic hospital ward. This data was then compared with patient core body temperatures to investigate the impact of changing environmental temperatures on patient health and recovery.
- eViz. Undertaking thermal imaging inspections of over 300 homes in the south west to understand how residents could be motivated to undertake home improvements. Work from this project led to the influence of a city wide thermal imaging initiative by the City of Vancouver in Canada.
Alongside his academic work, Matthew also works as a practicing architect for Fox Eco Architects. His work as an architect specialises in low energy design using natural building materials.
A recently completed architectural commission has been the UK's first CobBauge building, which was constructed on the campus of the University of Plymouth. This building has put into practice the research developed during the Interreg CobBauge project and paves the way for future CobBauge buildings.
Matthew teaches undergraduate students at degree and master's level. His teaching focus is on:
- Architectural design and management
- Building Thermography
- Building Performance Evaluation (BPE)
- Innovative natural building materials
Research Awards:
- European Regiostars Awards 2019 - Award category: “Connecting Green, Blue and Grey”.
- RISE Awards 2022 - Research, Innovation, Sustainability, Enterprise award for “Field and Laboratory Research”.
- University of Plymouth Vice Chancellor awards 2022 - Award for Sustainability
- CIOB Awards - Sustainability Award
Teaching
Dr Matthew Fox has a range of teaching interests, which include:
- Building Performance Evaluation (BPE). In particular thermal imaging and in-situ methods of thermal measurement.
- Natural Building materials. Especially timber and earth construction.
- Low energy sustainable architecture.
- Healthy buildings
Matthew teaches the following undergraduate modules:
- Module leader, BLDG408 - Architectural Design (Year 1)
- Lecturer on BLDG405 - Built Environment Project 1 (Year 1)
- Lecturer on BLDG403 - Environmental Building Science and Technology (Year 1)
- Module leader, BLDG609 - Built Environment Project 3 (Year 3)
- Dissertation supervisor on BLDG612 - Dissertation project (Year 3)
- Module leader, MLCAE7201 - The Monitoring and Performance of Buildings (Masters Degree)
- Lecturer on MLCAE7101 - Ultra Low Carbon/Natural Building Materials and Technologies (Masters Degree)
