Welcome to Future Talks by RTF, where we engage in enlightening conversations with the visionary minds shaping the world of design. In this episode, we have the privilege of conversing with an exceptional architect and the driving force behind MGAO, an illustrious architecture office based in Melbourne, Australia.
Meet Matt Goodman, the Director of MGAO, a name synonymous with the creation of enduring and captivating architectural marvels across all scales. Matt’s unwavering commitment to the fusion of aesthetics and functionality in architecture has earned him a well-deserved reputation as a maestro of his craft.
At MGAO, Matt Goodman’s ethos revolves around the belief that design should do more than just exist; it should uplift the lives of those who interact with it. His work is a testament to his tireless pursuit of creating spaces that resonate with their environment and cater to the unique needs and aspirations of the people who inhabit them.
Join us in this exclusive conversation with Matt Goodman, a creative genius committed to the art of architecture, as we delve into his thoughts on design, sustainability, and the ever-evolving world of architecture. This promises to be an illuminating discourse with one of the finest minds in the field, offering insights into the past, present, and future of architectural design.
RTF: Hi Matt, we are so glad to have you as a guest on Future Talks 2.0. Thanks for joining us. So, what led you to pursue a career in architecture and design?
Matt: I started my pursuit toward becoming an Architect quite late.
I wasnt a great student, and studying wasn’t high on my to do list. Once I finished school, I really only wanted to enjoy life. I tried a few things, screen printing, pattern making etc, then eventually my mother in law suggested I look at becoming an Architect. My poor grades meant that it took me a few attempts to be accepted into a university. Once in, I set my eyes on becoming an Architect, and have never looked back!
RTF: How would you describe your overall design philosophy or approach to architecture and design?
Matt: My approach to architecture and design is to keep things as simple as possible from the outset. Restraint and removing any unnecessary distractions plays a big role, yet this usually comes from economic means, and not any aesthetic desire for an overly minimal outcome
RTF: Do you have a singular design process that you follow or does the approach vary and change based on every project?
Matt: Context, Concept and Construction!
CONTEXT – This is the most important, as it focuses on the existing conditions of the subject site. This involves developing an understanding of the orientation, opportunities for passive heating and cooling, viewline, historical context, surrounding building typologies with potential formal, material or detail languages etc.
All these elements form the an existing context, and the basis of how one can begin to respond to it
CONCEPT – This is the stage where we explore ideas that aim to resolve or overcome any of the challenges posed by the site constraints. A simple idea or concept, that remains evident in a built work, ensures that the final project feels special. A simple idea that stitches a building into its context ensures that the project is extraordinary.
CONSTRUCTION – The end goal for all Architecture is a built work, that is put together with many parts, by many people. When the budgets are tight, a strong attention to the proposed construction (methods, techniques, materials) and an attention to detail, will ensure that a building feels resolved – regardless of cost
These three categories are the driving forces behind our approach to design.
RTF: How do you approach getting your projects featured in publications? Do you manage the communications and PR in-house or have this task outsourced to a PR & communications agency? Which approach do you think is better and why?
Matt: I personally manage all of the marketing side of the office. I have developed connections with many editors of online and print publications, who I reach out to whenever we have a new project to share with the world.
I love this approach, as its cost effective and helps grow our connections within the industry, both locally and globally
RTF: Can you share any challenges you’ve encountered in the process of getting your work published and how you overcame them? Are there any lessons you’ve learned over the years that have significantly improved your success in this area?
Matt: Early in my career, we didn’t have much / any built work, and we established a presence by sharing our unbuilt work with various online platforms. This was great as we managed to have our work featured on some of the larger global online platforms. However closer to home, the Australian Architectural community doesnt place as much focus on unbuilt work – as such, it took some time to gain any momentum locally.
When we finally did have some built work, we didnt have a budget to go overboard with the photo shoots, and as such, the project images we had were not suitable for many local publications. Luck for us all of our early projects were shared via the larger global online platforms.
RTF: How do you measure the impact of having your work featured in publications, both professionally and personally?
Matt: I personally love seeing our work featured on the websites that I have spent 1000’s of hours looking at – while studying and still now.
However as an office, our focus is always on the current and future work.
Having a built project photographed is a great way to draw a line under a project, and a nice opportunity to share the work that we have been doing with our peers and the greater Architectural community. However we don’t see a huge impact from having our work featured in publications.
RTF: What advice would you give emerging architects looking to increase their chances of publishing their work? Are there any specific resources or platforms that you would recommend for architects seeking publication opportunities?
Matt: Do your best work, for the sake of the work. Having your work featured or winning awards is a by product of the passion you put into developing your approach.
Never let being published become a primary (or even secondary) focus.
Great projects will get the recognition they deserve.
RTF: Which project of yours has been the most rewarding for you in terms of learning and/or exposure?
Matt: I started my office with three probono projects, for three different families who lost their homes in the same Bushfire. The first of the three was the first project that we had photographed, and this lead to a handful of future commissions. The third of these projects was the first project where our Client gave us totally freedom in the design process, which lead to our best project.
RTF: In your opinion, what are the most critical skills and knowledge areas that architectural education should emphasize?
Matt: In Australia, the biggest gap in Architectural education is providing the students with an understanding of construction. Many schools focus heavily on the ideas only, some with a total disregard to the built outcome. I felt me own education created a huge hole in this area, which I have spent the better part of my career aiming to fill.
RTF: Share a piece of advice for young architects wanting to start their own practice.
Matt: Find something you are passionate about and follow it with all of your heart.
You can’t fake passion, and when others (Clients) see this in you, doors will open and opportunities will come.
Also say yes to every opportunity no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
My office has only grown due to me accepting many insignificant opportunities – all of which have led to some of the largest opportunities, that have shaped my approach and that I am most grateful for
RTF: How will architecture and design transform in the coming years?
Matt: The climate crisis is upon us, the Architecture industry needs to take this into account and evolve to suit the future world needs.
RTF: What’s your take on the integration of AI and architecture/design?
Matt: I am not too focused on the benefits of AI for the architecture industry. I currently see it as a tool for helping people fast track reports, cheat on essays, or mask laziness.
I am a rapidly aging man. The Architects I look up to all drew by hand, and most likely look down on my generation for using the computer to design and document.
I am certain that AI is going to help many areas, however I am still skeptical about the design potential for AI to design.
