Emma Kate Matthews

Emma Kate Matthews is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, where she also serves as the Director of Fabrication and Design Collaboration. Her work uniquely bridges architecture, music composition, and sound studies, exploring the creative intersections between sonic and spatial practices.

• PhD completion: July 2025 with thesis 'Spatiosonic constructs: Exploring resonance in-between architecture and experimental music'
• Education: Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Architecture from UCL (2011), Professional Practice diploma from London Metropolitan University (2013)
• Professional status: Chartered Architect registered with RIBA and Architects Registration Board

Matthews' research focuses on spatiosonic practices, investigating how architectural spaces influence musical composition and performance, and how sound can inform architectural design. She has developed a distinctive approach to site-specific audio-visual installations, with works performed at internationally renowned venues including the Sagrada Familia, Southbank Centre, and the Barbican. She designs and creates innovative musical instruments called Resonant Bodies using advanced digital modeling and manufacturing techniques.

Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the relationship between architecture and sound, with particular attention to spatial sound composition, architectural acoustics, and interdisciplinary creative practices. The Routledge Companion to the Sound of Space represents a significant contribution to the field, bringing together diverse perspectives on sound-space relationships. Her work has been featured by major outlets including the World Economic Forum and BBC Classical Music Magazine.

• Lumen Prize nomination (2022)
• Aesthetica Art Prize nomination (2022)
• Sound of the Year Awards Highly Commended (2022)
• Sound of the Year Awards Highly Commended (2023)

As an educator, Matthews teaches on the MSci Architecture program and has previously taught on the MArch Design for Performance and Interaction programs. She runs studios focused on experimental design practices, encouraging students to develop their own media and approaches. Her research is supported by access to well-equipped workshops at UCL and collaborations with organizations like Copper Sounds, with whom she's exploring hybrid bell-making techniques for an upcoming 2025 touring exhibition.