Matthew Chua is a licensed architect and real estate developer based in New York. He is the Principal of PLACEHOLDER, a design-led real estate practice that integrates architecture, development, and construction management. PLACEHOLDER builds on the experience Matthew developed through his earlier independent practice, launched in 2015, and now serves as the unified platform for his design and development work.

Matthew’s experience spans residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects, including multifamily conversions, capital improvements, and large-scale renovations. He oversees the full lifecycle of project delivery, from feasibility and entitlement through architectural design, regulatory coordination, construction oversight, and closeout. His work emphasizes clarity, technical rigor, and long-term stewardship of the built environment, grounded in the belief that strong projects should be both practical and creative.

Before founding his own practice, Matthew spent six years at Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), where, as Associate Principal, he led complex assignments across the United States and Asia. His project portfolio includes high-rise towers, institutional buildings, and mixed-use developments requiring extensive coordination across teams and disciplines. Earlier roles at Renzo Piano Building Workshop and Höweler + Yoon further shaped his design background across scales and typologies.

Matthew holds an M.S. in Real Estate Development from Columbia University, an M.Arch from MIT, and a B.Sc. in Architecture from McGill University. He is a Registered Architect in New York and NCARB certified.