who.
matt carlson
ARCHITECT / CO-OWNER
Matt Carlson is the founder and owner of MAC Design. He has been in and around the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry for most of his life. His passion for design comes from his dad, a HVAC contractor. Working around construction sites and seeing new homes being built and old homes receiving beautiful new additions gave him the inspiration he needed to go to architecture school. The technical skills he learned working for a tradesman have always provided him with a pragmatic approach to everything he does. As his experience grew from holding a flashlight and handing his dad tools into fabricating pieces of ductwork and to installations, he learned the rewards of hard work and a careful, thoughtful craft.
Matt earned his Master’s degree in Architecture in 2015 from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA. Since 2012 he has worked on a wide variety of projects at multiple, different architecture firms; retail stores, K-12 schools, hospitals, multi-family residential projects, and even a summit house atop a 14,000 ft. peak. His experience in these many unique areas of design has given him plenty of insight to inform his design decisions.
Matt is a licensed architect in the state of Massachusetts and member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
ashley carlson
ESTIMATOR / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER / CO-OWNER
Ashley Carlson is the co-owner of MAC Design. She has over 15 years of experience in the construction industry working as a project manager, engineer, and estimator for a variety of projects ranging from small renovations and fit-outs to 100,000 + square foot new builds.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2013.
Ashley brings a critical understanding of construction processes and costs that bring an invaluable resource to the design process. Her expertise adds a level of thought to every project that extends far beyond painting a pretty picture. Ashley’s role ensures that every project not only provides the client the space and aesthetic they desire but that the budget is at the forefront of the conversation with every design decision.
With Ashley’s help, we at MAC Design intend to continue pursuing new and innovative design and construction strategies from the onset of the project in order to help blur the lines between the two disciplines in an effort to deliver a product that exceeds all expectations.
ruth
SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT
Ruth Carlson has been with MAC Design for over a year now and has been a vital asset to our sustainability initiatives.
Her expertise in which types of grass help satisfy certain types of hard-to-reach itches often help inform design decisions early on in the process.
WHAT.
MAC Design is a design / design consultation service based in Northeast Massachusetts with a focus on single-family homes and home additions with simple, livable design strategies in mind. Design solutions are achieved through an iterative, collaborative process with open and honest communication.
Flexibility is key. We want to make ourselves available to clients, but understand everybody has busy lives. Remote consultations / meetings are always an option should scheduling time to meet in person prove to be difficult. All you need is a computer or tablet and an email address. Video conference calls are an easy and effective way ensure that you (the client) can be sure your voice is being heard throughout the process. If technology is something that you believe will get in the way - meeting in person is no problem at all. We can take our designs on the go to sit down and review them face to face.
why.
i believe in good design - for everybody.
Very seldom does the solution jump right out at you. A home is a very intimate and personal part of our existence and it commands an exhaustive, iterative, and thorough thought process to achieve a space that is truly right for you. That being said, everybody has different wants and needs, and I aim to meet those needs no matter what.
There are wants and needs, and then there are the resources and opportunities available to attain them. MAC Design is committed to finding opportunities to provide the resources and opportunities to those who may not otherwise have access to them.
I believe in equitable and sustainable design practices.
Not every project will provide the means for implementing and achieving these goals, but MAC Design believes in promoting the use of passive and sustainable design strategies as a benefit to us all. This manifests itself in countless way; achieving net zero energy consumption, reducing the carbon footprint of your project by using locally sourced and recycled materials, or just approaching every problem with a “less is more” point of view, to name a few…
Sustainability, resiliency, and creating equity in what we build should be at the forefront of everything we do as owners, designers and builders. Long term impacts drastically outweigh any short term inconvenience, particularly in parts of our country and communities that are hurt the most by the effects of climate change, and the numerous other systems in place that have helped build and sustain an intentional lack of financial, social, and educational opportunities.
i believe in people helping people.
If you or someone you know is in need of design services and does not have the means or the resources to get or ask for help, please do not hesitate to reach out. Consultation is free and I will work with you to help you achieve your goals.
MAC Design will always remain available for educational opportunities for people of any age who are interested in learning more about the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry whether that be learning how to get started on a career path, learning about the day-to-day processes, or trying to learn a new skill or software.
