A CONVERSATION WITH PHILLIP MATHIESON

Photography by Timothy Kaye, Romello Pereira and Lenni Zeelenberg

Phillip Mathieson, principal of Mathieson Architects, shares an insightful exploration into the studio’s thoughtful design philosophy, one that balances functionality with refined aesthetics. Grounded in a commitment to clarity, restraint, and an intimate understanding of how clients live, their work is deeply influenced by modernist principles and the timeless elegance of Japanese architecture. Phillip reveals how planning is at the heart of their process, where spatial relationships are carefully orchestrated to create environments that feel effortless, natural, and enduring. Throughout, the interplay of light, materiality, and carefully curated art and furniture emerge as essential elements, fostering spaces that are not just seen but deeply felt in everyday experience. This interview offers a rare glimpse into a practice where architecture becomes a quiet, lived-in luxury, rooted in clarity of thought and the poetry of space.

Can you tell us about your roots in design and how you would define the core fundamentals that underpin your studio's approach?

Our work is grounded in a belief that good design is as much about functionality and practicality as it is about aesthetics. We work closely with our clients to understand how they live, and this informs the way we plan and resolve each project. The plan is absolutely central to our process—it’s where we spend the most time, and ultimately, it’s what determines whether a space feels intuitive, effortless, and enduring.

You’ve mentioned Japan as a place that continues to inspire you and your team. How does this philosophy influence your projects?

There’s an elegance in Japanese design that comes from how it balances architecture, nature, and daily rituals. That thinking is present in our work—in the way spaces are sequenced, in how light is introduced, and in how architecture can frame moments of quiet.

Could you share some Japanese architects or projects that have had a lasting influence?

Our interest in Japanese architecture stems from both its ancient traditions and its contemporary expressions. The Katsura Imperial Villa has been a profound influence—the way it orchestrates movement through space, frames landscape, and integrates architecture with nature is masterful. It teaches restraint, rhythm, and reverence for the in-between. That same sensitivity is evident in the work of Tadao Ando, whose use of light and concrete evokes an almost spiritual stillness. Sejima’s ethereal compositions and Kengo Kuma’s material softness also resonate—each shows a different way of distilling complexity into something elemental. What unites these influences is not a particular aesthetic, but a shared clarity of thought. They remind us that architecture is not just about objects, but about experiences—how one space leads to another, how shadow reveals form, and how stillness can be its own kind of richness.

What inspires your design philosophy?

Our philosophy is underpinned by a belief in the enduring value of restraint, clarity and proportion. But just as importantly, we place equal weight on how a space works—how it supports daily life, adapts to change, and promotes a sense of ease. Aesthetics, for us, are inseparable from function. We work closely with our clients to understand how they live and move through space—those conversations often shape the most fundamental decisions. The planning process is where much of the architecture is resolved; it is here that we test ideas, refine spatial relationships, and build a framework for how the home will feel to occupy. A successful project isn’t measured by photographs—it’s felt in the lived experience. This approach is consistent across all our projects. The end goal is always the same: to create environments that feel natural, generous, and quietly resolved.

You speak on the importance of timelessness. Could you discuss techniques the studio uses to ensure this?

We reduce rather than add. By focusing on proportion, material integrity, and clarity of detail, we aim to create spaces that feel permanent. Timelessness is not a style—it’s an outcome of considered planning and restraint.

Light appears central to your work. How do textures and finishes factor into this?

They’re integral. Every material is selected for how it behaves in light—how it absorbs, reflects, or softens it. This attention to tone and texture helps build spaces that feel layered and atmospheric without relying on overt detail.

Your work allows a voice for the objects within it. How do you approach designing with art and furniture in mind?

We see architecture, art, and furniture as parts of a single conversation. The architectural framework is deliberately reduced to allow space for these elements to breathe and take on meaning. Objects aren’t treated as additions—they’re intrinsic to how a space is experienced. At Kurraba Penthouse, for example, we worked from the outset to curate pieces that would reinforce the tone of the architecture—layered, calm, and textural. Each room was considered holistically, so that the artworks, silk rugs, and custom joinery became part of a shared language. It’s not about styling a space—it’s about creating the conditions for an interior to feel authentic and atmospheric. The result, when successful, is a lived-in sense of luxury that emerges from the way space, light, and material interact with objects over time.

Your Kurraba Penthouse recently hosted a discussion on the intersection of art, furniture design, and interior architecture. Could you share how you see this intersection evolving, and how it informs your projects?

We don’t see these as separate disciplines—they’re all part of the same architectural narrative. At Kurraba, we worked closely with Liaigre and Artbank from the outset to ensure the furniture, objects and artwork weren’t added at the end, but were embedded in the spatial logic and material language of the project. That level of integration creates spaces that feel resolved and emotionally cohesive. We’re increasingly designing with this kind of holistic thinking in mind.

Costa Brava House is a masterclass in restraint, where minimal materiality amplifies the surrounding landscape. What was the initial concept for this project, and how did you balance simplicity with impact?

The concept was to create a singular, sculptural form that frames the Mediterranean landscape without distraction. Positioned on a plateau above a steep slope, the house is designed as a horizontal volume with a deep canopy that unites living and sleeping areas. We employed a restrained palette—rendered walls, monolithic white floors, and raw oak joinery—to amplify the intensity of the coastal setting. The simplicity lies in the clarity of form and material, allowing the natural surroundings to take precedence.

The brise-soleil screens at Costa Brava House create a striking threshold between the house and its surroundings. Could you talk about how this element shapes the arrival experience and how it informs the dialogue between privacy, landscape, and framed views?

The brise-soleil screens serve as a permeable veil, offering both privacy and a nuanced play of light and shadow. As one approaches the house, these screens create a sense of anticipation, partially obscuring the view and inviting exploration. A singular aperture with a sandblasted timber door provides entry, leading to an interior that celebrates the panoramic vista through a continuous horizontal opening. This design element orchestrates a gradual transition from the exterior environment to the interior space, enhancing the experience of arrival and framing the landscape beyond.

The Kurraba Penthouse offers a layered, immersive journey through space, material, and light. What were the early conversations or client aspirations that informed the design narrative of this project?

The ambition was to create a residence in the sky—one that offered the atmosphere and planning of a single home, rather than a conventional apartment. This informed every decision, from the proportions of rooms to the rich layering of materials. The palette—limestone, brushed oak, lacquer, and patinated metal—was chosen to evoke warmth, subtlety, and permanence. Early design discussions also focused on light—not only as illumination, but as a way to define mood, sculpt surfaces, and heighten material presence throughout the day.

Both Costa Brava House and Kurraba Penthouse show an intense consideration of how spaces are experienced emotionally, not just functionally. How do you approach this balance between poetry and pragmatism in your residential projects?

We spend a great deal of time resolving the plan—understanding how a home needs to function, and ensuring every movement through the space feels intuitive. But we’re equally concerned with how a space makes you feel: the quality of light, the weight of materials, the transitions between rooms. At Kurraba, that balance is achieved through the interplay of refined detailing and atmospheric restraint. Function enables freedom, but it’s the emotional qualities—tone, proportion, stillness—that make a place memorable.