Not only is he passionate about the hands-on making and crafting of furniture, joinery, and panelling from timber veneers, he is also passionate about sharing his knowledge and is often invited to the studios of practices with which he works to share his knowledge on veneers, matching and detailing.
In a generous commitment to the industry, he shares his knowledge, teaching students and young designers. He agrees this knowledge is becoming rare.
A true master, but too humble to admit it, many designers will not have heard of him as his work is never tendered, coming via word of mouth and, most often, repeat business. Designers and Architects who work with him form long term relationships and value his craftsmanship and professionalism.
Matt worked with Felicity King of Studio Barbara on the Potts Point apartment; a project which heroed Elton Group’s Eveneer Fango on almost every wall surface as well as in panelling and joinery. The veneer detailing is immaculate, with Matt resolving the continuous curves at the thresholds of spaces, superbly matching the timber grain on cabinetry, and mastering the subtle scallops of the bathroom joinery.
We met with Matt, in his Western Sydney workshop, amongst sawdust and woodworking reference books and discussed the significant changes in documentation and detailing.
Last century architects and designers pored over drawing boards, articulating every junction, detail, and edge, often building models and prototypes to perfect the materiality. Now, in the days of tighter budgets, breakneck programs and 3D visualisation, a joiner or cabinet maker is more likely to receive a performance specification, or a brief set of design direction plans and elevations rather than a full set of drawings. It is then up to the craftsman to bring their experience and expertise into resolving, translating, and ultimately making. The success of project outcomes relies on the experience, passion, and expertise of the joiner, as well as the working partnership.
Matt has been using Eveneer ‘for as long as I can remember’ and has seen many ‘trends, come and go in the meantime’. He knows which products are fit for use and designers come to MSA Prestige Woodcraft for his opinions and advice because ‘he knows his stuff’.
Interior Design: Studio Barbara
Photography: Clinton Weaver