MRM-AD: Why MRM|AD and what the firm is all about?
- Matthew Manion
- Feb 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 30
Welcome to my blog!
Only one year after receiving my degree, I had designed and permitted my first project in Venice Beach. I have now been a professional designer for over ten years, with nearly a hundred built works. I've always been interested in writing but never had the time. As a sole proprietor, I still don’t have the time. However, as trends change, codes are updated, and information exists in a million different places, I feel it’s my duty to create this blog so I can share the experiences I’ve learned and the resources I’ve gained with my fellow designers and the general public. In addition, I want to share my passion for architecture and explain the value that having a professional can bring to any type of project.
Drawing architecture and drafting conceptual floorplans has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Having lived in 12 different places before 12th grade and visiting dozens more homes, I fell in love with architecture and the endless variety of spaces and arrangements that can be revealed. I specifically remember the first moment I knew I wanted to become a creator of space. While living in Virginia between 5th and 6th grade, I attended a large boat show. While touring a massive yacht inside a stadium, I was fascinated by how much could fit within such a limited and precisely defined space. Later that day—or more likely during the car ride home—I began sketching my own versions of yachts, complete with multiple floorplans, elevations, and perspective drawings. That fascination eventually evolved into sketches of RVs, and finally, houses and buildings.
In high school they offered engineering and architecture courses. I was passionate about those classes that the teacher recommended me for my first job at a structural surveying and architectural forensics firm. There I was tasked to measure entire houses and take elevations points of the site and foundation of the homes. That job further solidified my desire to design and build homes and following senior year, I worked the second half of every day through a co-op work program at Michael G Imber Architects. There I was introduced to the ins and outs of a true architecture and interior design studio. During this internship I realized that this work is more than a job, it’s a passion for me and what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
College stripped away any assumptions I previously held about architecture and gave me the opportunity to start fresh with an open mind. I was trained not only to draft architectural drawings by hand but also to use the latest cutting-edge 3D and 4D software. While there, I also expanded my education by working in the College of Architecture’s wood, model, and metal shop for three years, helping scores of students with model and furniture making.
Immediately after graduation, and halfway on my way to Los Angeles, I received the notification that I was hired to work with Domaen based in downtown LA. Thankfully the office was close enough to ride my fixed gear from the cheap, dark, and dank street facing apartment I had already rented on sunset boulevard between Silverlake and Echo Park. Right next to the happy/sad foot sign is (Y’all know what I’m talking about if you are familiar with the area). Following that position, I had the pleasure of working with Michael Maltzan and Francois Perrin. While there, I was fortunate to get my first referrals which, through word of mouth, quickly became a full-time workload and I took the leap which lead to me founding my architecture design firm MRM|AD in 2016.
Photographing physical model in for STR_ project in 2016
Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of successfully completing over 100 projects—both for my own clients and in collaboration with other architects, interior designers, and developers. Along the way, I’ve curated invaluable relationships and resources that continue to shape and enrich my practice. As I’ve matured in the field, my goals have become more refined—not just focused on creating unique, one-of-a-kind spaces, but doing so with thoughtful consideration for the environment. This means analyzing each site’s specific context and implementing tailored design strategies that enhance passive performance and reduce costly utility loads.
A perfect example of this—and what sets MRM|AD apart—is the ARO_ project. Designed after a thorough analysis of climate and site conditions, the project incorporates local materials, off-grid water and energy generation/storage, and passive design strategies. Through the integration of these elements—and thanks to the trust of the client—the design eliminates the need for conventional doors and windows, creating a truly one-of-a-kind living experience.
Another thing that sets MRM|AD apart from other firms is my love for navigating the ever-changing maze of rules and regulations to achieve a project’s overall goals. Much like the moving staircases in the Harry Potter films, international and state building codes—as well as local zoning regulations—are constantly shifting.
A great example of this is the LOM_ project, an accessory dwelling unit I’m currently working on in Lomita, California. During the schematic design phase, the code stated that buildings must be separated by a minimum of 10'-0". That code was recently updated, reducing the required distance to 3'-0"—or even less in certain situations. Although we had already received permits, I informed the client of the code change. As a result, they chose to revise the plans and update the design, increasing the ADU’s square footage and, in turn, their potential rental income.
As a sole proprietor, everything that comes in and goes out is reviewed or created directly by me. This means I work closely with clients as well as my trusted network of contractors, fabricators, and city officials—ensuring clarity and efficiency throughout the entire design, permitting, and construction process.
When I’m not working, sketching, or reading about architecture, you’ll most likely find me in the ocean surfing, sailing, or getting my hands dirty in the garage with crafts, projects, or repairs.
So that’s a brief overview of me and what MRM|AD is all about! To learn more about the firm’s specializations and the various types of projects completed, I invite you to review the “about” section of my website. To review my selected work please “click here”. To reach out and review your projects’ possibilities or just get in touch please "click here".
Cheehoo amazing story man!