From Rubble to Rebuild

At GoodWork Investments, we are always on the lookout for organizations that combine innovation, impact, and a deep commitment to improving lives. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Mobile Crisis Construction (MCC), an Australian registered charity that’s redefining disaster relief with a unique, scalable solution. In a world where over 120 million people are forcibly displaced due to conflict and disaster (UNHCR, 2024), MCC’s work offers a beacon of hope—and a model for sustainable recovery that’s worth celebrating.



A Mission Rooted in Resilience

MCC’s mission is as straightforward as it is inspiring: to rebuild lives in disaster zones by turning chaos into opportunity. How do they do it? By deploying mobile block factories—ingenious units housed in 20-foot shipping containers—that transform rubble, glass, and other waste into interlocking, mortar-free building blocks. These “Crisis blocks”, as they’re aptly named, empower communities to reconstruct homes, schools, and critical infrastructure quickly, affordably, and with remarkable durability.

What sets MCC apart is its unique proposition: it doesn’t just provide aid—it equips communities with the tools to rebuild themselves. One mobile factory, costing $120,000 AUD, can produce 8,000 blocks per day. That’s enough to construct a community school or medical centre in just five days, or three suburban-style houses (100 m² each) in under a week. The built structures are earthquake, fire, and cyclone-resistant, certified by structural engineers, and require no skilled labour or mortar to assemble. This means that even in the wake of devastation, people can take charge of their recovery with minimal resources and maximum efficiency.

From Vision to Victory

The story of MCC began with a spark of ingenuity when two engineers—Nic Matich and Blake Stacey—teamed up with a shared vision. Joined by Nic’s sister, Alexandra Matich, and a growing crew of dedicated professionals, they turned a barroom brainstorm into a registered charity with global potential. Blake, a brick technology expert with over 30 years of experience, designed the block and the mobile factory system. Nic, with his background in engineering and property insurance, brought a keen eye for risk and resilience. The MCC team is growing as there are a number of people keen to assist. MCC is now a powerhouse of expertise and heart.

Their journey hasn’t been without challenges. After building a demonstration factory, MCC set its sights on Ukraine, where war has left 25,000 homes near Kyiv in ruins and over 10,000 tonnes of rubble scattered across the landscape. With funds raised and the first factory shipped in September 2024, MCC is now poised to make a tangible difference. Test blocks were produced in January 2025, and as spring thaws the ground, production is set to ramp up—starting with a row of townhouses that will provide shelter and stability to displaced families.

Impact That Keeps Growing

The numbers tell a compelling story. A single MCC factory can churn out 40 tonnes of blocks per shift, operated by just 5-6 people. After a 7-day curing period, these blocks are ready to become walls that stand strong for decades, reaching full strength in 30 days. Imagine the impact: a school rebuilt in days, giving children a place to learn again; a medical centre restored, offering care to the wounded; or a family home rising from the ashes, restoring dignity and hope.

But the real magic lies in the human element. By engaging local communities in the rebuilding process, MCC fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment. As their website, crisisconstruction.com, highlights, the process is collaborative: deploy the factory, discuss needs with locals, repurpose rubble, and rebuild together. This isn’t charity as a handout—it’s a helping hand up, amplified by smart technology.

Where Innovation Meets Compassion

A peek at laygoblocks.com.au reveals the brilliance of the technology employed by MCC. The interlocking design eliminates the need for mortar, using tile adhesive instead, and features holes for vertical bars to enhance stability in disaster-prone areas. It’s a solution that’s as practical as it is innovative—fewer tools, less skill, and faster results. Meanwhile, MCC’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/channel/UCPkcCbRz6eczz0oGHaAtNUg) brings this vision to life with videos showcasing the factories in action and the real-world difference they’re making.

A Warm Glow of Hope

At GoodWork Investments, we’re inspired by MCC’s ability to turn rubbish into an opportunity to rebuild. In a world often weighed down by headlines of destruction, their work reminds us that innovation and compassion can show us the way forward. Each block laid is a step toward normalcy for someone who’s lost everything—a child returning to school, a family sleeping under their own roof, a community reclaiming its future.

We’re proud to highlight MCC as a movement that aligns with our values of meaningful growth. This team is giving their talents purpose.

We encourage you to learn more about Mobile Crisis Construction and see how they’re reshaping disaster recovery, one block at a time. Visit www.crisisconstruction.com to explore their mission, check out www.laygoblocks.com.au for the tech behind the transformation, and watch their impact unfold on their YouTube channel (youtube.com/channel/UCPkcCbRz6eczz0oGHaAtNUg). Better yet, consider how you or your network could support their efforts—because rebuilding lives is an opportunity we all care about.