Meet the Team

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Mat founded Ballast Point in 2015 with a view to creating a business built around empathy for clients, and has worked hard to ensure that their needs are the company’s key focus. He has more than 20 years’ experience in architectural construction, development and project management. Mat will always provide an opinion and analyse problems using the fundamentals of science, economics or human psychology. He has established long lasting relationships with tradespeople, consultants and real estate agents and uses these connections to add value to every design and solve every problem. Mat is a UTS construction graduate and spent 14 years as construction manager at Yuncken Builders, one of the top architectural home builders in Sydney, working with some of Australia’s leading architects and executing award-winning projects.

Mat considers the ability to live, work and walk his dog on the Balmain peninsula as one of life’s great privileges. When not working, he reads widely about building, design and technology and spends his spare time embarking on outdoor adventures, such as bushwalking, mountain biking and canyoning, with his four kids and wife, Rita.

HEAD OF ARCHITECTURE
NOMINATED ARCHITECT NSW ARB 9317

Creative and caring, Peter works closely with clients to help them design their dream home — from guiding them through council approvals to creating functional, energy-efficient buildings. With a Master of Architecture from the University of Sydney, he has worked as a senior architect for some exceptional practices, including Andrew Burges Architects and a five year stint at PopovBass Architects.

His previous projects include the award-winning Griffiths Teas warehouse conversion in Surry Hills. Another, which entailed repurposing two heritage buildings into a new home, featured on the TV series Restoration Australia (Season 3, Episode 8). Outside work, he enjoys singing in choirs, driving Italian cars, jogging with his dog Sunny Boy, hiking through mountains and attempts at sailing.

HEAD OF CONSTRUCTION

Geoff has extensive experience in residential and commercial construction and has excellent knowledge of building systems, design methodology and site logistics. He genuinely cares with about his clients, staff and everyone involved in each project and sets out to achieve the very best for everyone involved.

Geoff has more than thirty years' experience as a Carpenter, Site Manager and Project Manager. He understands project economics, risk management and how best to achieve clients objectives. He has completed a significant number of multimillion-dollar residential projects and has world for Sydney's leading home builders including Bellevarde, Pimas Gale and Yuncken Builders.

HEAD OF OPERATIONS

Malik has been working at Ballast Point since 2015. He is a natural leader, incredibly conscientious and hardworking. Malik was sponsored by Ballast Point to get his Australian residency and bring his family from Pakistan in 2018 – something the company is truly proud of. Malik has never let a client down and never left a client unhappy, he goes the extra mile and then the extra ten miles as well. Malik has a Diploma in Administrative Management, Diploma of Business and Advance Diploma of Business. Major projects he’s worked on include the redevelopment of the Red Truck Removals and Storage depot at Blacktown and the renovation of NWN Property in Epping. When he’s not working, he loves playing sports such as cricket, boxing and tennis.

ARCHITECT NSW ARB 11048

Anthony is a registered architect whose passion lies in finding creative solutions. Having focused on developing his experience in high end residential architecture over the past 8 years, Anthony's attention to detail and pragmatic thinking have led to work of a consistently high standard. During his time at university, Anthony's academic prowess was recognised through the Henry J Cowan Prize in Architectural Science (Graduate Architecture), the Ruskin Rowe Prize For Architecture, the Dean’s List, an Academic Merit Prize as well as the Dean's Merit Scholarship. Anthony’s honours thesis was published in Loading: The Journal of the Canadian Game Studies Association in 2019. Outside of work, Anthony actively serves as a Bible study leader and sound desk technician at his church. He also can't help but carry his design sensibilities (and critique) into the video games he plays.

FINANCE MANAGER

Shelah is an experienced Finance Manager with a focus on technology and innovation holding both an MBA and a Masters of Accounting. Originally from Los Angeles, Shelah migrated to Australia in 2012 and began working in the finance sector where she has built a successful career working with fast growing start-ups and tech companies. Her interest in architecture, building and design led her to Ballast Point where she has taken on the challenge of expanding the company. She maintains a learning mindset, always open to new ideas in this era of significant technological advances.

In her free time Shelah enjoys paddle boarding with her cattle dog Bilby, working on creative building projects, and searching for the best Mexican restaurants in Sydney.

ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT

Irene is a master student of Architecture at the University of Sydney. During her study, Irene has found her passion and enjoys working in residential and housing projects.

Growing up, Irene has always been exposed to multicultural environment and developed sensitivity to it, she piqued interests in exploring how human relationship develop in the time and space they are in. Therefore, she finds residential projects particularly rewarding. When she is not petting dogs in the office while moving pixels, you can find Irene bush walking in the nature or making dumplings at home.

ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT

Saruta is an architectural graduate, particularly enthusiastic about residential design. With a multi-cultural background, she believes in the power of fostering a sense of belonging and is dedicated to crafting sustainable spaces that uniquely embrace each occupant, blending functionality with emotion to evoke a genuine feeling of place. Having a great attention to detail, she embodies a conscientious approach to her work, which is reflected in her academic achievements. Saruta was recognised as a member of the College of Excellence, consistently making the Dean's list throughout her university career and graduating with Distinction. As a homebody herself, she values the little design details that contribute to the comfort of home. Outside of work, Saruta is a real foodie. She enjoys searching for the best restaurants and trying out new recipes in her kitchen - finding inspiration and channelling creativity through her love for food!