Andrew Matson, President, AIC Architecture

In an interview with Invest:, Andrew Matson, president of AIC Architecture, discussed the firm’s major projects, industry trends, and the evolving landscape of office and architectural design in Tampa Bay. “Companies want employees to feel more connected — to Tampa, to their environment, and to their colleagues,” he said.

What have been key highlights for AIC Architecture from last year?

One of our major projects recently broke ground in January — a roughly 84,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility for Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company. That’s been an exciting milestone for us since we’ve been collaborating with the Joffrey’s team for over a year.

We also do a lot of nonprofit work. Right now, we’re working on a 12,000-square-foot activity center for A Kid’s Place, a nonprofit organization for children in foster care. Over the years its demographics have changed, so this new facility will help support the teenagers and young adults in their care. 

Additionally, we’re expanding into healthcare, designing three Women’s Care facilities, including one between 30,000 and 34,000 square feet. This year, we’re focused on growing even more in that sector.

What trends are you seeing in the industry?

Our main focus has always been corporate interiors — that’s what we’ve specialized in for the past 35 years. Corporate interiors involve designing office spaces for companies relocating to Tampa or expanding within the area. A major trend we’ve seen is the shift toward high-end headquarters.

Tampa used to be known more for call centers and secondary office markets, but now, we’re seeing larger corporations choosing to move their headquarters here, which is really exciting. New class-A office buildings, which hadn’t been built in a long time, are now finally being developed in Tampa. We’re also noticing that companies are willing to invest more in design, which is something we love to see.

Are there specific design elements companies are requesting, particularly with the return to office influencing workplace design?

One thing about Tampa, and Florida in general, is that there has been a strong push from leadership to encourage in-person work. As architects, we naturally want people to return to the office because we design spaces for them.

The trend we’re seeing is a focus on workplace amenities. It’s no longer just about coming to your desk, working, and leaving. Companies want employees to feel more connected — to Tampa, to their environment, and to their colleagues. That’s why many new developments are happening in areas like Channelside, Water Street, Midtown, and even Westshore. These locations offer more than just office space; they provide access to restaurants, shops, and entertainment before and after work, creating a more engaging work-life experience.

Are there particular industries fueling demand for your designs?

We’ve worked on projects for major companies like Kforce, which was an interesting case. They originally had a 120,000-square-foot office but downsized to 25,000 square feet to accommodate a hybrid work model. They still wanted a well-designed office, but the emphasis shifted from individual workstations to hospitality-inspired spaces.

That’s a trend we’re seeing more companies moving away from fully open office plans. While open offices were once the standard, many businesses now recognize that they can be noisy and disruptive. Instead, we’re seeing a mix of collaborative spaces, shared offices, and quiet rooms where employees can focus when needed. It’s no longer a one-size-fits-all approach.

The shift to hybrid work has played a big role. Employees got used to working from home, and companies realized they couldn’t just force people back into uninspiring office environments. That’s why we focus on designing spaces that foster collaboration while also providing privacy when needed.

There’s value in working in an office. In our industry, design is highly collaborative. You learn so much from working alongside others. Plus, for those with families — myself included — working from home can be full of distractions. It’s hard to separate work and personal life when your office is your dining table.

What makes Tampa Bay an ideal location for AIC Architecture?

Tampa is a beautiful city with so much to offer. You’re close to the water and the beaches, and you have a great quality of life. The entire region, including St. Pete and Clearwater, is interconnected, making it attractive to both businesses and residents.

A major advantage of Florida is the lack of state income tax, which draws both companies and individuals here. When comparing Tampa to places like Miami, the two cities share some similarities, but Miami is significantly more expensive. Tampa provides that same connection to water and lifestyle benefits without the high costs, making it a more appealing option for many businesses.

How do you balance modern design elements with preserving Tampa’s architectural heritage and creating community-centered designs?

One of the things we love about Tampa is its historic character, especially in areas like Ybor City, where our office is headquartered. Ybor has deep cultural roots, with Cuban, Italian, and German influences, and we love being part of that history.

Preserving history while moving forward with modern design is always a challenge. Some buildings weren’t necessarily designed with long-term preservation in mind, yet they’ve become landmarks over time. Our approach is to respect the past while making thoughtful updates that enhance functionality and longevity. It’s about striking the right balance: keeping the essence of a place while allowing it to evolve.

The perfect example is our adaptive re-use of the German American Club in Ybor which now serves as the headquarters for CAN Community Health. Part of this project involved a 15,000 SF modern addition that respects the original building’s form while differentiating itself from the historic structure. 

How is your firm integrating new technologies like AI into your work?

Funny enough, because our company name was originally “Ai Collaborative,” people often assumed we were an artificial intelligence company. That’s part of why we rebranded as AIC Architecture.

We do incorporate technology, but AI-driven design still has limitations. While AI can generate floor plans, it doesn’t consider local building codes, site constraints, or the nuances of user experience. Our role as architects is to be thoughtful and intentional, to create functional, inspiring spaces, not just algorithmically generated layouts.

We do use advanced design software, like BIM (Building Information Modeling), which helps us integrate different building systems and avoid conflicts in construction. We also use 3D rendering software that allows our clients to visualize their spaces before they are built. These are powerful tools, but ultimately, good design is about human insight and creativity.

What are AIC Architecture’s top priorities for the next few years?

Our No. 1 priority is maintaining the quality of our work. As demand grows, we don’t want to expand so quickly that we compromise our standards. 90% of our business comes from repeat clients and referrals, so keeping our existing client base happy is important to us.

We’re also focused on expanding our healthcare market while continuing to diversify our projects. Having a variety of work keeps our team engaged and allows us to give back, like when we donated our services to redesign a homeless shelter. That balance of meaningful work and technical excellence is what drives us.