Undertaken for a local wealthy Byron Bay-based businessman, the Project identified a design direction for a Surfing Museum, showcasing the history of Surfing around the world in a visceral and realistic way, as well as showcasing one of the world’s most unique and interesting Surfboard collections, that can, as a demountable structure, move around the world, staying at various sites on a semi-permanent basis. The project integrated real time audio and tactile effects, including water-spray and moving footbridges, to give the experience of being in the water amidst heavy swell.

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Matthew participated in an Urban Design Study coincident with the Design of the Sydney Central Station upgrade works, that allowed for safe pedestrian ingress and egress below the new urban light rail connecting along the eastern side of Central Station. The project also proposed the creation of a new and interesting small office building, adjacent the existing and iconic Surry Hills Dental Hospital.

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North Shore Wellness is a goodwill project initiated by MWA to investigate opportunities to enhance community health and welfare through positive urban design and strategic thinking, working along the waters edge from Luna Park, through to Balls Head. The Strategy includes the identification of new building typology opportunities, to better service and support the idea of community health, as well as providing a unique and special visitor destination. By linking together a range of community wellness facilities both existing and proposed, it is hoped that the Inner North Shore will have available a significant set of assets forming a solid foundation for community health, and celebrating our close and intimate connection with the special qualities of Sydney’s beautiful inner harbour.

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Matthew led the architecture process for this important new infrastructure project in Sydney’s inner Western Suburbs as part of the Westconnex project. With a broad range of very large building infrastructure components, Matthew created design idea for the project that mitigated against the possibly adverse public amenity impacts of the project infrastructure requirement to provide a happy and enjoyable outdoor space.

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After several years working as a leading designer within some of Australia’s more noteworthy architectural practices, Matthew is now working hard at establishing an architecture practise, focussed on quality projects in Sydney’s beautiful Inner North Shore area. Matthew has been invited to complete designs and development application packages for a number of significant single house sites, within Sydney’s magical Inner North Shore Area.

A House design in such a context must be something special. It must speak about the culture of the place, its natural character, and the special character and function of the Family who will occupy the House. This unique combination of nature and nurture serves as the most interesting context for the development of architectural ideas and strategies.

For a House, Matthew likes to involve the Client directly in the design approach. Always, the Client has a particular set of ideas regarding the project that should be respected, tested and implemented. Clients are quite articulate regarding their project vision, and have already carefully considered the architectural potential of their site. As such, the first key step for Matthew, is listening.

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From there, Matthew takes a careful look at the site. Its natural characteristics, the way in which the site interacts with local breezes, outlooks and views, the character of the surrounding properties, the quality of the existing ecology on and around the site.  Certainly, technical constraints must also be considered, those being engineering issues as may relate to drainage or soil retention and excavation, as well as the interaction of local planning codes and the particular site condition.

Texture, feel, comfort, warmth; all are aspects of a building’s materiality that must be considered, to bring together a wonderful palette that inspires and excites the imagination, and creates a feeling of safety and warmth. This materiality is also underpinned by a clear understanding as to how the House will be constructed; having a brother who is a Builder means that Matthew very much understands the importance of buildability. Matthew’s designs always make sense in terms of creating a beautiful object that is easy and affordable to construct

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From there, Matthew’s natural sketching skill, starts to bring the idea to life. We start to situate the house concept and idea on the site, and look at the form, mass, articulation and materiality in context. Once those sketches start to identify a consistent approach, we then utilise advanced REVIT Modelling techniques, to create a digital version of the site and the House Design Concept. We then use Lumion, and its advanced visualisation rendering engine, to create realistic walk-through environments of the site and House Design Concept. At this point, the Design Concept is fully visible in 3D and very comprehendible as to the design intent.

Sketches Examples:

http://mw-arch.com.au/?page_id=1907

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Flythrough Example:

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Render Examples:

https://issuu.com/mattwilliams65/docs/sunshine_beach_08ae2ce2e7794a

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REVIT Examples:

https://issuu.com/mattwilliams65/docs/sunshine_beach_08ae2ce2e7794a

The REVIT Model can then be used to produce accurate and reliable architectural drawings suitable for coordination with consultants and submission to the local authority for Planning Consent. The Lumion Digital Model can be utilised to produce realistic and life like renderings, suitable for liaison with neighbours and possible objectors regarding the design proposition, and submission to the Local Authority to fully demonstrate the design intent.

Matthew has a good working relationship with North Sydney Council and Mosman Council. Matthew has worked with these Councils for an extended period of time and understands their particular attributes and expectations. Matthew also consultants regarding urban design issues and implementation, with the goal of improving community health and welfare. Matthew can produce intelligent, well draft design reports and environmental impact statements, in support of innovative or non-conforming design submissions. Matthew is quite skilled in submissions pathways and is a reliable partner in ensuring that your design vision for the Project gains approval.

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Matthew also has established and ongoing working relationships with key consultants from the inner North Shore area, including for Structure, Stormwater and Drainage, Landscape, Energy Efficiency as well as Surveyors and Geotechnical Engineers. Matthew understands the importance of effective integration and resolution of engineering issues as part of any design.

Matthew has good existing relationships with Local Builders. A House is a special object and requires a craft-based approach, a close relationship with the Builder, and patience on site. Effective, comfortable and kind collaboration between the Builder and the Architect is essential to a quality result.

Finally, Matthew has the patience, care and attention to detail to define your House as a masterpiece. It is not an easy process, quite an arduous one in fact, but Matthew brings an unparalleled commitment to achieving this goal for your project; creating a truly wonderful, remarkable, inspiring and beautifully liveable home for you.

Catering for 40 children with special needs, this project was designed in collaboration for the Department of Education.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3nE5syphYY&feature=youtu.be