Michael Matthews, B.Arch. ’05, AIA, founder and principal of Michael Matthews Studio, has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles chapter (AIA|LA) with a 2024 Design Award in the “Next LA” category. The award honors unbuilt or in-progress projects that explore the future of design through conceptual rigor, innovation, and impact.
Matthews received the award for Barrel Cactus, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and guest house designed for a site in San Diego. Inspired by the resilient desert plant for which it’s named, Barrel Cactus reimagines the ADU as a sculptural form that integrates seamlessly with its landscape while maximizing function in a compact footprint. The project is shaped by the studio’s commitment to climate sensitivity, material economy, and expressive architectural form.
Designed with a circular plan and curved roof structure that invites passive cooling, Barrel Cactus proposes a new typology for backyard living: equal parts retreat, experiment, and architectural statement. The AIA|LA jury praised the project for its clarity of vision and inventive response to contemporary housing needs.
Michael Matthews Studio is known for its careful attention to context, craft, and concept. Based in Los Angeles, the practice works across scales and types, with a growing portfolio of residential and speculative projects that foreground ecological performance and design innovation.
Learn more about Barrel Cactus on the Michael Matthews Studio website, or explore the full list of 2024 Next LA winners via AIA|LA. The project was also featured on Archinect, which spotlighted its design approach and conceptual foundations.