Newest IDEA 2025 judge Matiya Marovich believes great architecture can exist anywhere

Matiya Marovich, founder and director of Adelaide-based architecture firm Sans-Arc, will be judging the 2025 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), alongside fellow judges Andrew Glover, Conrad Lowry, Jade Whittaker, Melissa Leung and jury chair Paul Hecker.

Australia’s longest-running independent architecture and interior design award, IDEA, selects its annual winners as judged by a selection of industry-expert judges. Sans-Arc Studio founder Matiya Marovich is the latest member to join the specialist judging panel.

Sans-Arc Studio founder Matiya Marovich

Bringing with him a passionate interest in sustainable materials, as well as experience travelling North America and Central Asia in 2017 on a Jack Hobbs McConnell Travelling Fellowship, Marovich believes good architecture can exist anywhere. And at any budget.

It was this mission statement that led to the founding of his architecture and interior design firm, Sans-Arc, in 2015 – a name carefully chosen to reflect his approach to the industry. Sans-Arc stands for sans architecture: ‘without architecture’.

“I was – and still am – fascinated by how we occupy space inside, in-between, around and on the edge of architecture,” Marovich says. “The occupation of space and the phenomenological experience of buildings, filtered through my studies, drove me to develop an anti-architecture approach to architecture.”

Marovich’s ‘without architecture’ mindset was adopted during his master’s studies in architecture at the University of Adelaide and later consolidated during his travels through developing countries.

This unique perspective informs much of Sans-Arc’s operations today.

“We believe good design is the membrane that frames the world, providing the opportunity for true connection and curiosity,” Marovich says. “With a design culture steeped in inclusivity and social connection, our projects are created with purpose, depth and detail – bringing a human touch to the built environment.”

A unique approach to design

Sans-Arc was established with a purpose to create eco-friendly structures that not only stand the test of time, but connect and energise their occupants. As such, the studio approaches each project with a clear understanding of its basic, human needs. Since the beginning, Sans-Arc has maintained a belief that every space should support people-oriented experiences.

“Like with any designer or architect, there are themes and threads that run through projects,” Marovich explains. “My view is that our style is always evolving: it adjusts and shifts to respond to the brief, client and context. We don’t want to be known for doing just one thing, so we always ensure each project has its own spatial identity, which stems from the narrative drive behind each project.”

Marovich’s bespoke perspective on architecture comes as the result of 12 years in the industry, and a keen interest in applying creativity to everything he does. Prior to founding Sans-Arc, Marovich was stationed in a large corporate firm where he recalls being assigned increasingly stale projects.

A desire to go his own way brought about the opportunity for learning and, most importantly, to develop as a creative. This foundation now allows Sans-Arc to incubate a combination of function and freedom in all of its designs.

As Marovich asserts, “Our team views each space as the threshold between people, place and the world.”

Current interior design trends – and what will catch Marovich’s critical eye

With extensive experience in the hospitality industry dating back to his university studies, Marovich will naturally be focusing his eye on this particular category in his role as IDEA judge. The Residential category will also occupy much of his attention, as these are the areas his team works in – but the Event category will also engage his interest.

“The temporality of the projects makes for some very interesting problem-solving,” he says.

In his role as judge, Marovich says he will be looking for entries with distinctive narratives, concepts and recognisable results.

“I love seeing new and different approaches to interior design,” he adds, specifying an interest in aluminium and stainless steel. “It is nice to see robust, practical and recyclable materials being used more widely.”

The entries that won’t engender positive feedback? “Copycat, trend-driven design,” he underlines. “The projects that I find most interesting are those that have a deeper meaning that results in a unique space and approach.”