Profile

Paul Matthew

Current positions held

Lecturer – School of Architecture, Design and Planning – The University of Queensland
Master of Architecture Program Convenor – School of Architecture, Design and Planning – The University of Queensland

About

Dr Paul Matthew is a Lecturer in Design (Built Environment) at The University of Queensland, whose research and teaching focus on circular design, prefabrication, and low carbon architecture. His work investigates how design strategies, construction practices, maintenance and repair work and adaptive reuse can extend building life, reduce material waste, and support more adaptive and resilient built environments. This includes a strong emphasis on modular and off-site construction systems, with particular relevance to mass timber as a renewable and reconfigurable building material.

Within the ARC Advance Timber Hub, Paul contributes to Design for Extended Building Life Research Node under Project: Circular [Re]Design to Enable Disassembly and Reuse of Mid-Rise Timber Buildings, examining design approaches for extending the life of Australian mass timber buildings. His research explores how durability, adaptability, and disassembly can be embedded at the design stage to maximise long-term performance and resource efficiency.

In teaching, Paul integrates these research themes into architectural technology courses that encourage students to engage with structural systems, servicing strategies, circular economy principles, and climate resilience. His pedagogy fosters critical thinking about material systems and lifecycle design, preparing graduates to contribute to a more sustainable and innovative timber construction industry.

More information

https://adp.uq.edu.au/profile/683/paul-matthew
https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/32729

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