Matteo moved to London and is now working on the design of a residential complex to improve the standard of living in the area

Hi Matteo, what are you working with at the moment?

I am currently a Part 2 Architect at White Arkitekter, the biggest Scandinavian architectural practice. After spending a year in Stockholm, I moved to the London office, where I have been working on the design of a large residential complex in East London. The project aims to improve the quality of living in the area by implementing a range of design principles commonly adopted in Scandinavia. Our focus is to develop the newly built areas enhancing the quality of public spaces, proposing open plan flat layouts, and maximising the presence of green areas available to residents and to the neighbourhood despite the very urban nature of the surroundings. In addition, whilst operating in a very different context from that in Scandinavia, we aim to foster efficiency in construction via off-site manufacturing, which also allows for greater ease on the construction site, given the tight space available in the city.

What can a regular day look like at your job?

I always cycle to work despite the typical British weather and the “wild” traffic in the capital. It is a life habit that I have taken with me from my prior experiences in Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Life in the London office is vibrant and stimulating. We are a close-knit group of mostly architects, with a wide variety of backgrounds. Working as a small team enables us to coordinate well as a group while establishing good interpersonal bonds with the other members of the team. During a typical day at work, I spend my time developing several aspects related to the design of the project. A high level of proficiency with professional design software is required, which is of the utmost importance on the job. I have frequent meetings with consultants, or I take part in conference calls with our teams in Stockholm and Malmö who are supporting our work on the project.

Why did you choose this programme at KTH?

I have always been fascinated by the Scandinavian approach to architecture and design, as well as to the Scandinavian lifestyle as a whole. After completing my bachelor’s studies in Milan, I felt it was time for a change, time to finally feed my curiosity. I decided to apply for graduate studies at KTH as I was attracted by the school’s reputation in the field of architecture and engineering. In particular, at that time a newly built centre for the School of Architecture had just been completed, providing students with excellent facilities and study spaces. In addition to this, KTH was particularly attractive to me due to the diversity present within the student body, making it an ideal place to thrive and learn. Last but not least, the beauty of Stockholm and its surrounding countryside made this place an ideal candidate.

What were the best aspects of your studies at KTH?

I found the structure of the course and the teaching method incredibly effective. I particularly liked the fact that as a student one is given full independence from an academic point of view. As an architecture student, I had the opportunity to individually choose from 10 different studios with very different approaches to the design process, with no prescribed restrictions.

Moreover, the informal nature of teaching enables students to build personal relations with the tutors. I perceived this approach to education as a way to make you responsible for your own growth and give you the opportunity to solely focus on your interests. In this manner, students have to take a fully active approach towards their education and are given the chance to truly understand where their personal interests lie.

What are your plans for the future?

I am planning to grow personally and professionally by gaining more exposure to a variety of projects and more complex tasks, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the design process.

My long-term plan is to transition from a pure designer to a project leader. London is an ideal place for a young professional like myself, as it allows you to witness first-hand a wide variety of projects with different features in short time spans. Thus, in the near future I will try to get the most out of this environment, while also trying to preserve my professional and personal attachment to Scandinavia.

What would you say to a student thinking of applying for this programme?

Studying architecture at KTH is more than just attending a regular architecture course in a regular university. It represents a life experience that you as a student will have the chance to tailor according to your philosophy and ambition. Make the most of it!