Get to know Matt

Do you have a favourite building, space or city in the world?
Melbourne would have to be right up there for me. I spent nine years living there, so I have a huge soft spot for the place. It has everything I love in a city: sport, food, concerts, great coffee,  old buildings, new buildings, and a general sense that there’s always something happening. Any city where you can go from a great restaurant to a live gig to a packed sports stadium in the same weekend is hard not to love.

How do you define great design?
Great design is so subjective and can come in endless forms, but for me it is when something looks simple, feels effortless, and quietly does everything it needs to do. Usually, the better it is, the less obvious all the hard work behind it feels.

Can you tell us a little about your role within the studio?
My role is a real mix, which keeps things interesting. I try to keep projects, people and information moving in the right direction, whether that’s supporting the team with project admin, liaising with clients and consultants, helping prepare visual material, or jumping into ArchiCAD and Lumion when needed. I’m also happy getting out on site, working with the marketing team and photographers to help capture projects properly. It’s a nice balance of creative, technical and organisational work, with plenty of variety from one day to the next

What initially drew you to the world of architecture and design?
I’ve always liked figuring out how things go together. I started in product and industrial design, so I’ve always been interested in the detail, the materials and the practical side of making ideas real. Architecture feels like that same thinking, just on a much bigger scale.

How does your design background influence the way you approach studio coordination?
It helps me look at things from both sides, the design idea and the practical steps needed to get there. I’m usually thinking about how information is communicated, how something will be built, and what needs to happen next.

What do you enjoy most about working closely with both clients and the design team?
I like seeing an idea move from a conversation into something real. Working with both clients and the design team gives you a good sense of the bigger picture — what the home means to the client, and what needs to happen to make it work.

How do you help keep projects and the studio running smoothly?
I try to stay organised, keep communication clear, and make sure the right information is where it needs to be. I think it helps that I’m a mix of Type A, B, C and probably D personalities; organised enough to keep things on track, relaxed enough not to panic, detail focused enough to notice the small stuff, and persistent enough to follow things up when needed. A big part of it is catching the little things before they become bigger things with urgent subject lines.

How would you describe the culture of the studio?
Friendly, thoughtful and collaborative. Everyone cares about doing good work, but the studio still has a relaxed, light-hearted feel. There’s usually a bit of humour in the mix, which suits me — I don’t take myself too seriously, but I do like being part of a team that takes the work seriously.

Are there any architects, designers or movements that inspire you?
A designer I’ve admired since my Vic Uni days is Piero Lissoni. I like that his work doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard, whether it’s a chair, a kitchen, a hotel interior or a full architectural space, everything feels simple, refined and well thought through. There’s a lot of work behind it and nothing feels contrived. That’s the kind of design I’m drawn to: spaces and objects that are easy to live with, but still properly considered.

What drew you to joining O’Neil + Shirley Architecture?
The quality of the work and the reputation that O'Neil + Shirley has was a big part of it. The studio has a really considered approach to residential architecture, and it felt like a great opportunity to be part of a team that values design, detail and the client experience.