Despite reports showing a shrinking architecture industry in South Australia, Matthews Architects has broken the trend with a major expansion program.
Much of the data from a recent research study conducted by the Association of Consulting Architects – SA reveals low salaries, a small number of graduates becoming registered and an overall shrinking architecture industry in South Australia. These negative findings do not seem to worry Matthews Architects’ managing director, Gerald Matthews.
“Adelaide is one of the best places in the world to be an architect because it is not finished yet,” he tells The Advertiser.
The company’s planned growth will see its staff numbers double from 12 to 24 people in the next two years. Matthews intends to maintain the company’s position in the market based on staff development and its significant place in the sector, in South Australia, as well as interstate.
Gerald tells The Advertiser that it is essential to understand the city, the politics and the economy prior to designing in Adelaide.
“The trend I can see developing in Adelaide is the economic transformation of existing buildings, leading to changes in use. Integration of businesses, living and leisure is important for the growth of the city.”
Matthews Architects’ focus is on private commercial, retail, residential and education projects with clients like Emmett Property, Lexus Adelaide and St Peters College.
Gerald is positive about the future of Adelaide and South Australia and his investment in their architecture and design.
IN THE PIPELINE
Matthews Architects are behind the design of recent projects such as the CMI Toyota building on West Terrace, St Peters College Middle School and the Norwood Mall. They are currently working on a new office complex for Grant Thornton’s new Adelaide headquarters on the corner of Frome and Flinders street.
