Behind the Design: Matt Schmalhorst, Architect, LGBTQIA+ Group Co-Leader, and New Father
Pull back the curtain and get to know the people behind the design. The solutions we develop for clients and communities are brought to you by passionate individuals devoted to delivering better built environments — places that support healthy, productive, sustainable ways of living.
Our next #PeoplePassions blog post features Matt Schmalhorst, an architect and Employee Resource Group co-leader based in Denver, Colorado, who’s a new father continuing a family legacy of design and working to create healthy, inspiring spaces for future generations.
What is your personal design philosophy?
It’s a fantastic feeling to help shape the state I grew up in and help grow the communities I know. All my family lives here in Colorado, too. So, it’s special to share projects with them.
For example, I grew up in Greeley, Colorado, and Cushing Terrell designed an affordable housing project near the Greeley Mall, an iconic landmark in the area. Greeley is a small town, a cow town. But I had the opportunity to add value to my hometown by contributing to this multifamily, low income apartment design. My family goes to the mall all the time, so they get to see a project I worked on. That type of local improvement, the kind that directly serves my community, truly means something to me.
But, overall, my design process starts with collaboration. I enjoy collaborating with other design disciplines, clients, and contractors. I honestly believe the best designs come out of teams who enjoy the work. If they like it, they bring their full selves to the table and they feel proud of the story they’re building. Anything I can do to foster a fun and creative environment brings me a lot of joy.
I look to all the team members I work with who are so incredibly talented and see the work and dedication they put into their projects and that inspires me to give my best in what I do. It makes my work fulfilling and inspirational.
I also became a father last year. I love my daughter so much and understanding that she represents the next generation, I want to make the built environment she experiences not only functional and beautiful, but also something sustainable — something that can better her world and others of her generation.
What are the biggest influences behind your design philosophy?
There are a couple of ideas that come to mind. First, I love bringing the best possible team together to work on a project. Second, I get a lot of satisfaction working on something made for longevity and for people — I care about the end user’s experience.
Lastly, my great grandfather was an architect. I never met him. He passed away before I was born, but my grandma had all his watercolors and drawings framed and displayed in her house. It was impactful for me to see how beautiful architecture can be. I wanted to become an architect because I wanted something to outlive me, to be more permanent than I am in this world, something that my grandchildren (and maybe even my great grandchildren) could look at in their grandma’s house and visit.
My great grandfather built a gas station in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it’s become a historical landmark there. Even if it’s a humble project, he put so much craftsmanship and passion into what he made. He’s been gone for a long time, but his influence is still standing, and it still means something to people.
Architectural sketches by Matt’s great grandfather
Describe an example of when your personal and professional passions have intersected for the greater good or to achieve an aspirational goal.
I worked on an urgent care center in Denver, and it’s located within a historic landmark district. The process was centered on respecting the historic context of that landmark district, while also bringing something new to the neighborhood. We ended up with a stunning brick work that highlights history and context, which isn’t always seen in construction nowadays. It was impressive to see that level of masonry that solidified it as a timeless presence. It looks like it’s always been there.
You’re an architect, HUE Employee Resource Group (ERG) leader, and more. What do these projects mean to you, particularly the extracurriculars?
The ERGs have been awesome to be a part of. They highlight the amazing people we work with and the voices that perhaps aren’t heard as much. The HUE group that I lead supports LGBTQIA+ employees and allies. As such, you get to know the people you work with on a personal level, which is really rewarding.
Over the summer, we went to Denver Pride, and it was amazing to see many of our Denver Cushing Terrell team members come out and support our ERG. We showed up and brought something like 200 doughnuts to give out!
There was so much love and happiness everyone was experiencing. It’s cool to be part of a firm that supports cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. It was so successful that we’re very much looking forward to next year. We’re seeing how we can step up the bar even higher. Laura, our Office Manager and Denver Location Director is also a member of HUE, and during the Pride event, she said “hi” to the mayor, and he came up to her and hugged her. It was a beautiful moment.
All in all, it’s been a wonderful team effort between all the ERGs at Cushing Terrell, and I’m so excited to learn from the other groups and continue to collaborate going forward to make our ERGs the best they can be.
Matt and Denver Cushing Terrell team members at the Denver Pride parade
A little more about Matt…
Born and raised in Colorado, I’ve spent my whole life surrounded by mountains, fresh air, and plenty of adventure.
I’m a big fan of board games (even in the process of designing my very own game), traveling to new places, and getting creative with Lego architecture sets. But let’s be honest—none of that compares to the real star of the show: my pug, who fully believes the world revolves around him (and honestly, he might be right). The rest of us? We’re just here to support his epic saga and keep the snacks coming.
