Accelerate to Zero Hero Award: Matthew Clubb, mwclubb
Matthew Clubb is an Aberdeen-based director of mwclubb, a practice specialising in low-energy architecture and the retrofit of existing buildings. A former oil and gas engineer, Clubb transitioned into architecture after a personal journey into climate science that left him shocked by the severity of the climate crisis.
His work is characterised by a commitment to community-led action and a science-based approach to the built environment.
He was honoured with the Accelerate to Zero Hero Award and also recognised as a BEST Beacon in November 2025, recently joining us for an episode of the Accelerate to Zero Podcast to discuss more about his work, what it will really take to accelerate retrofit, and why community, skills and action now matter more than ever.
Extensive Expertise in Retrofit
At his firm, mwclubb, Matthew manages a team specialising in Passive House and whole-house retrofit design. Over the last three years, the practice has developed plans for 120 domestic dwellings and over 40 community buildings across Northeast Scotland.
Clubb has founded Zero Carbon Daviot, a community climate action group in his own village in Aberdeenshire, and serves as the chair of the North East Scotland Retrofit Hub (NESFIT), where he works to build local supply chains and raise the profile of retrofit.
His work focuses on eliminating fuel poverty and addressing poor health outcomes caused by inadequate housing.
Matthew believes retrofit delivery is a natural consequence of understanding the climate challenge that we face. "I am passionate about retrofit,” he says. “But the way I see it: when you look at the science, you can't deny that we have to do something with existing buildings, so let's get on with it."
Retrofit, Trust, and Local Communities
Matthew believes that the transition is going to happen locally and individually, one conversation at a time. Through his work in his local community, he has seen first-hand that retrofit is based on trust, and people want local trades who "they know are going to come back if there's an issue."
He has also seen that retrofitting local community buildings can act as a seed point for the surrounding community. When neighbours see tradespeople and vans consistently working on a street or local hall, it can trigger a snowball effect of local action.
Personal Journey into the Built Environment
Despite his current architectural and sustainability focus, Clubb actually began his professional journey working as an engineer in the oil and gas industry, before retraining in architecture at Robert Gordon University. This shift was driven by a desire for a creative career and a profound realisation of the severity of the climate crisis.
This transition began during the COVID-19 lockdown when he performed deep dives into climate science: "I became very climate conscious at that time. I did a lot of investigation into climate change and the science behind it. And it shocked me how bad things were."
And he believes others should feel the same: "If you're not worried, if you're not alarmed, then you don't know enough is fundamentally how I feel."
Recognition with Two Awards
Matthew’s years of hard work, advocacy and leadership was recognised at the Accelerate to Zero Awards 2025, the first person to receive both a hero and a beacon award. In addition to becoming an Accelerate to Zero Hero, the flagship award of the night, the title of ‘Beacon’ recognises him as a long-standing champion of community action.
He was commended by the judges for his impactful work and for bridging the gap in the Northeast, an area he admits often feels isolated compared to the central belt of Scotland where most climate activity occurs.
On receiving the awards, Matthew says, "There were a few pennies that dropped that night. What we're doing is being seen and is being felt. I'm really grateful for the recognition and... I'll be taking it forward and going even further with it."
Listen to the full version of the Accelerate to Zero Podcast with Matthew here.