Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr Matthew Bird is a practising Architect, Artist and Associate Professor within the Department of Architecture at MADA, Monash University Melbourne.
Matthew Bird is an architect and artist with an interdisciplinary spatial practice of sculpture, installation, scenography, photography, interior design, architecture and site-specific interventions. Matthew has exhibited commissioned works at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Festival, MONA, 15th Venice Architecture Biennale, McClelland Gallery and MPavilion. His practice is recognised with numerous honours including a Green Room Award, Australian Interior Design Award and an Australian Institute of Architects VIC Award.
Matthew has established a spatial practice that does not conform to a specific discipline, rather he has established an experimental reputation with projects that transcend expectation, materialising in and outside of convention. Matthew embraces risk openly yet with considered rigour via an inventive process of reimagining ideas, symbols and materials to create interactive multifaceted worlds that offer meaning and complexity. Traversing visual art, design, architecture and performing arts plateaus, Matthew’s immersive creations are the result of a progressive, rigorous and highly experimental interdisciplinary process.
International artist residencies and field research have shaped Bird’s practice. Venues include: The Centre de Création Chorégraphique, Luxembourg; the Herberger Institute for Design+Arts, Arizona State University; and the Arkitektskolen in Aarhus Denmark.
Matthew’s practice Studiobird is an armature for his academic tenure at Monash University where he introduces students to speculative design practices, engages with industry led partnerships and realises a strong and distinct research portfolio.
Education/Academic qualification
Architecture, PhD, The House of Feathers A Design Practice Observed, Documented And Represented, RMIT University
Award Date: 1 Mar 2013
Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture (Honours) (5-year), The Exoticus, RMIT University
Award Date: 1 Dec 2005
Architecture, Diploma of Building Design (Architectural),
Award Date: 1 Dec 2000
Research area keywords
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Installation Art
- Scenography
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Designing Intergenerational Commons: Reimagining Community Facilities for Super-Diverse Casey
Barker, S. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Grodach, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Bird, M. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/03/26 → 1/05/27
Project: Research
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The Warracknabeal Court House Orrery Project: Prototyping Mass-Customized Structures for Regional Accommodation
Morgan, T. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Crow, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bird, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Edwards, C. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Yarriambiack Shire Council, Monash University – Internal Department Contribution
1/06/22 → 31/12/23
Project: Research
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Single Point Incremental Forming of Structural Insulated Panel System for Monocoque Structures
Crow, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Edwards, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bird, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Morgan, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ness, P. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Fischer, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cassell, W. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Baker, J. (Partner Investigator (PI))
25/01/22 → 30/05/23
Project: Research
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The Wonder Cabinette Project
Crow, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Edwards, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bird, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Morgan, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hamacher, D. W. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cassell, W. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Ness, P. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Fischer, S. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Ferguson, M. (Project Manager) & Turnbull, R. (Project Manager)
30/06/21 → 30/09/22
Project: Research
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WCC: Warracknabeal Creative Circuit
Edwards, C. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Richardson, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Crow, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Spasojevic, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Morgan, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Bird, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Turnbull, R. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Ferguson, M. (Partner Investigator (PI))
2/01/20 → 30/05/22
Project: Research
Research output
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Future fossil
Bird, M. & Edwards, C., 2025Research output: Non-textual form › Commissioned or Visual Artwork › Research
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'Future fossil' - SM - Linden New Art
Bird, M. & Edwards, C., 2025Research output: Non-textual form › Commissioned or Visual Artwork › Other
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Quiet Studio
Bird, M., Prowse, S. & Graham, A., 2025Research output: Non-textual form › Design / Architecture › Research
Prizes
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2015 Architecture Award for Small Project Architecture
Bird, M. (Recipient) & Richardson, M. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
2022 INDE Awards, The Design Studio - Shortlisted: 'Studiobird'
Bird, M. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
2024 INDE.Awards, The Learning Space - Honourable Mention: 'Where Wonders Dwell'
Bird, M. (Recipient), 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
2025 Victorian Premier's Design Awards, Architectural Design, Finalist: 'Quiet Studio'
Bird, M. (Recipient), Prowse, S. (Recipient) & Graham, A. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2026 Australian Interior Design Awards, Installation Design, Shortlisting: 'Quiet Studio'
Bird, M. (Recipient), Prowse, S. (Recipient) & Graham, A. (Recipient), 2026
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Artist Talk: 'Soft Infrastructures: St Kilda Reimagined'
Bird, M. (Contributor)
27 Nov 2025Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Conceptual PlayWorlds: Concepts, creativity and collective thinking of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers
Crow, J. (Contributor), Edwards, C. (Contributor), Morgan, T. (Contributor), Bird, M. (Contributor) & Spasojevic, D. (Contributor)
17 Mar 2022 → 31 Mar 2022Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Performance/exhibition
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MPAVILION: CONVERSATION
Bird, M. (Contributor), Wardle, J. (Contributor) & Green, E. (Host)
17 Mar 2020Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Double Edged
Bird, M. (Contributor) & Morgan, T. (Contributor)
3 Oct 2019 → 4 Oct 2019Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Performance/exhibition
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MTalks: 'The Afterlives of Cities'
Bird, M. (Contributor), Edwards, C. (Contributor), Morgan, T. (Contributor) & Price, D. (Contributor)
16 Dec 2017Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
Press/Media
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INDESIGNLIVE: 'Your highlights from Melbourne Design Week 2025'
Bird, M., Prowse, S. & Graham, A.
29/05/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Review
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THE LOCAL PROJECT: 'Quiet Studio event Melbourne Design Week 2025'
Bird, M., Prowse, S. & Graham, A.
22/05/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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INDESIGNLIVE: 'Connecting people and place'
Bird, M., Barker, S. & Robards, B.
16/12/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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ARCHITECTUREAU: 'Soft Infrastructures: St Kilda Reimagined'
Bird, M., Barker, S. & Robards, B.
30/10/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Other
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A DANCE MAG: 'A Match Made in Heaven: Conversation with Benjamin Hurley and Scott Elstermann'
24/08/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Review