Design Development 155: Mastering the Approval Process and Operations in Architecture with Matt Marotta, Managing Principal/COO at Icon Architecture
Nov 26, 2025
Matt Marotta, Managing Principal and COO at Icon Architecture, shares his journey from intern to leadership in the firm. He discusses the critical role of stakeholder engagement and community input in the approval process. Matt dives into the technological evolution of architecture, from hand drawings to BIM, and predicts AI's potential to enhance efficiency while noting its challenges. He also emphasizes the importance of mentoring junior staff, team dynamics, and creating a strong office culture in the fast-evolving architectural landscape.
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Bring Stakeholders Into The Design
- Iterate freely and walk stakeholders through your design reasoning to get approvals.
- Include stakeholders early and incorporate feedback to reduce resistance and revisions.
Design Must Return Value To The Community
- Successful approvals require giving something back to the community beyond housing.
- Public benefits can be small design moves that improve urban fabric and pedestrian experience.
Icon's Size And Market Focus
- Icon is a 45–50 person firm focused ~80% on multifamily work across New England.
- They also maintain a strong institutional group doing higher education and municipal projects.
