He passed away on January 09, 2025 at the age of 96.
Born in Magdeburg, Dr Zabel studied architecture at the TH Stuttgart. He graduated in 1951 and then spent five years as a research assistant in the department of Prof Hans Volkart. In 1959, he completed his doctorate here on library construction; the joint design for the new Stuttgart University Library building also dates from this time.
In the course of his freelance work from 1962 onwards, a number of well-known buildings were constructed, including the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Tübingen and the school centre in Hedelfingen. The best-known building to receive the "Hugo Häring Prize" is the district administration office in Ludwigsburg.
In 1972, Dr Zabel was appointed Professor of Building Construction and Design at the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences (now the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences).
In 1982, he took over as Head of the Department of Architecture, the position we now call Dean. On 1 March 1985, he was elected Rector of the university.
During his eight years in office, Prof. Dr Zabel expanded the content of the university, while at the same time providing important structural impetus with various renovations and the new construction of Building 3. He retired in 1993.
Prof Dr Zabel had also been active in various roles in the Association of German Architects (BDA) since 1973. He was state chairman of the BDA in Baden-Württemberg for four years, and in 1985 he was elected to the federal executive committee for a further four years. He was involved in numerous working groups, campaigned for the promotion of high-quality architecture and for better framework conditions for freelance architects.
Dr Zabel was one of the founding members of the "architekturgalerie am weißenhof e.V." and was chairman of the Stuttgart-based association.
Due to his advanced age, there were only a few members of the HFT who were able to meet him in person during his active time. This is especially true for the current members of the Faculty of Architecture and Design.
We will honour Prof. Dr. Zabel's memory as a university and as a faculty.
Prof Dr. Katja Rade, Rector and Prof Dr.-Ing. Jan Cremers, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design