Meet the JAJAs: Matthew is our new Constructing Architect

Meet Matthew – our new Constructing Architect. To get to know him better, we have asked him a series of questions.

How are you and how has your first weeks at JAJA been?

I’m good, thanks! My first weeks have been great – it feels a bit like stepping into a cast of well-known characters from a past life. Everyone here is so talented, driven, professional, and humble. There’s the perfect combination of enthusiasm toward a shared goal and genuine care for the craft. You really feel that everyone here cares deeply about architecture – and about each other.

You’re from Canada – how did you end up in Copenhagen?

I’ve been fortunate to travel a lot in my life and was bitten by the wanderlust bug early on. Sometimes I traveled for work, sometimes for pleasure, and always for the adventure. I’ve lived on a few different continents – Africa, North America, and now Europe.

When I decided to move to Copenhagen, it was to dive into Scandinavian design – to try to understand why it so often becomes timeless, whether in architecture, furniture, or industrial design. I wanted to explore what it is that makes it feel classic and enduring. Copenhagen has become my home, and I couldn’t be happier here.

What interests you the most about your job?

For me, it’s drawing and problem-solving. I’ve always loved both – taking complex, multi-layered problems apart and finding elegant, sometimes unexpected solutions. I enjoy diving deep into the details and then zooming out to see the bigger picture – investigating at the micro level while keeping the macro in mind.

As long as I can remember, I’ve been building – forts as a kid, tree houses, and later towers. I see architecture as a symbiotic relationship between humans and the built environment – where human life animates and sustains architecture, and architecture in turn shapes how we live and experience the world.

Which projects are you working on now?

My main focus is the Enghave Brygge Syd project in Sydhavn. Once complete, it will be a great example of a new housing typology that is both elegant and focusing on climate responsibility – a thoughtful mix of biogenic and engineered materials without compromise (and at scale!).

Working in the Danish market right now is especially exciting because Denmark is one of the first movers in regulating the carbon footprint of buildings. There’s so much innovation and investment underway, and with the political push from legislation, it’s a particularly inspiring moment to be here.

When you’re not at JAJA – what do you like to do?

Ahh – if only there were more hours in the day! Ever wonder what it’d be like if the Earth rotated a bit slower and our day had 25 hours? Or 26?

I love music in all its forms, and it takes up a lot of my free time – whether I’m listening, seeing shows, crate-digging, or making music myself. There’s something really special about how sound waves can transform space and mood.

I also enjoy cooking, swimming, reading, board sports, traveling, films, camping, and anything involving being outdoors.

Do you have a go-to meal and movie on a rainy Sunday?

Good question. My first instinct is eggplant Parmesan and a Wes Anderson film.