Meet Matt Ligas, Associate Principal and Project Manager for the new Financial Services Corporate Headquarters MGA&D is designing in Washington, DC. Learn what three famous people (living or dead) he would like to have dinner with and why.
If you were not an architect, what would your alternate career be?
ML: I would be the host of This Old House.
You just won a free trip, where would you go?
ML: Rome, the Eternal City. The layers of history, amazing engineering and great architecture are second to none!
If you could make one significant change in the world, what would it be?
ML: I would bring a sports championship to Cleveland.
What languages do you speak?
English and a little Spanish.
Who is your design idol?
ML: Along with Michael Graves, Aldo Rossi and Leon Krier. All three were able to design at any scale and their drawings and sketches are works of art.
When you need inspiration where do you look?
ML: My two daughters.
When you are away from work, what can you be found doing?
ML: Teaching my daughter how to fix up our 1835 colonial house.
What book(s) are you currently reading?
ML: Any books related to renovating old homes and Dr Suess with my daughters.
What songs are most listened to on your playlists?
ML: Anything from Nick Drake and Taj Mahal.
When you need design inspiration where do you look?
ML: My library of architectural books.
What do you believe is the most valuable trait as an architect?
ML: To be an optimist; there is always a solution to a given problem.
If you could invite three people to dinner living or deceased, who would they be and why?
ML: Thomas Jefferson so I could ask him how he was able to fit all his interests into a 24 hour day! Lebron James to thank him for coming back to Cleveland. Warren Buffett to discuss investing and his thoughts on the economy.
What new skill would you like to learn and why?
ML: Playing the guitar to decompress.
How would your friends describe you?
ML: Hardworking and easy going.
If you could witness any event of the past, present, or future, what would it be?
ML: The building of the Pantheon in Rome.
What was one of your most defining moments in life?
ML: Becoming a father.
If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?
ML: Music, books, pictures of family.
If you had a chance for a “do-over” in life, what would you do differently?
ML: None, I have no regrets in life.
What is your best childhood memory?
ML: Playing football and basketball.
If you could live in a book, TV show or movie, what would it be?
ML: Pirates of the Caribbean to sail the sea with Jack Sparrow.
Why did you choose your profession?
ML: Since I wasn’t going to be a professional athlete, I thought getting paid to draw wasn’t such a distant second.
If you could bring one fictional character to life, who would it be and why?
ML: Sherlock Holmes to find the Loch Ness Monster, solve the UFO crash in Roswell, NM and figure out what really is in a Peep.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
ML: Bob Dylan in Vienna Austria 1998.
What single message would you send to an advanced alien species?
ML: Sorry for all the trash we have put in space.
What’s your favorite holiday and why?
ML: Christmas – Seeing the excitement of my daughters.
What words of wisdom would you pass onto your childhood self?
ML: Don’t become a Cleveland sports fan and buy stock in a little startup called Apple.