Matt McNicholas

AIA : LEED AP

Matt has created designs and ornamental details for buildings in 16 countries and on four continents. Over his career he has traveled extensively, lecturing on the subject of architectural ornament and detail, neuroscience and architecture, and empathic architecture while presenting at forums such as Greenbuild, the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, the Classical Traditions Conference, ICAA chapters, various University lectures, and the Congress for New Urbanism.

He enjoys contributing regularly as a guest critic on juries of student work at multiple schools of architecture. He has been published in both design magazines and trade publications and has donated his artwork to numerous auctions raising money for academic scholarships. With two close friends, he also co-founded Scenographia, a non-profit organization that stages the exhibition of live hand drawing events to raise money for scholarships to study traditional art.

Matt earned a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Architectural Design and Urbanism from the University of Notre Dame and holds a Certificate in Neuroscience for Architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design. He is a member of the AIA, Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, the Society of Architectural Historians, the Society for Neuroscience, and the Congress for New Urbanism.

Matt serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Adler & Sullivan’s 1889 Auditorium Theatre and as the Facilities Committee chair for the same. He also chairs the Board of Directors and Facilities Committee for Fenwick High School, a 1929 collegiate gothic masterpiece. He sits on the ICAA Board of Fellows and is a highly sought-after expert witness in architectural copyright litigation. In his free time, he builds LEGO with his son and plays on a master’s water polo team.

Elizabeth McNicholas

AIA : ALA : LEED AP

Elizabeth channels lessons gained from decades of living with chronic health challenges – including a 2017 diagnosis of “terminal” Stage IV cancer – into profound insights about the importance of stress management and, specifically, the effects of the built environment on human well-being. She and Matt have presented widely on the theme, including to the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture and for the International Well Building Institute at Greenbuild in recent years. 

As a designer, Elizabeth brings a broad range of experiences in civic, ecclesiastical, and residential design and master planning—from wide regional to focused neighborhood contexts—to bear on MA’s endeavors. Prior to co-founding McNicholas Architects, she designed new interiors in Cass Gilbert’s Supreme Court Building, designed the Chapel of St. Cecilia at the Dominican Motherhouse in Nashville, and was instrumental in the early phases of the King’s Cross Master Plan in London - one of Europe’s most significant urban regeneration projects. She was privileged to work and study directly with her favorite architect-heroes, Demetri Porphyrios, and Leon Krier, in the apprentice days of her career.

Elizabeth earned her Bachelor’s of Architecture and Master’s of Architectural Design and Urbanism degrees at the University of Notre Dame, holds a Certificate in Neuroscience for Architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design, and is a member of the Society for Neuroscience. As a founding Director, Elizabeth was instrumental in building the Chicago Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and served as its Education Programming Chair for its first decade. She is now a Director Emerita. She currently contributes to the interview program Architectural Delight.

Elizabeth also proudly supports and serves on the Executive Committee of the Great Lakes Business Network, an advocacy branch of the National Wildlife Federation and the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities. Lastly, Elizabeth is an unabashed Traditional (“New”) Urbanist. She has enjoyed multiple stints studying and working in the finest cities of Europe along with Matt, though these days especially savors her current responsibilities as a “soccer mom.”