MORQ is an architecture firm founded in Rome, Italy in 2001, with offices in Italy & Australia. MORQ’s work ranges from ultra-luxury-contemporary residential, hospitality and commercial projects to masterplan & landscape interventions. MORQ is the recipient of numerous awards and is widely published internationally. Currently MORQ is designing projects in Italy, Australia, Indonesia, France, Spain, Latvia and Middle East.
MORQ’s international experience in the field and its enduring effort on the ideation and delivery of individual highly curated residential and hospitality projects is also paired with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams locally and remotely.
From 2022, MORQ is present in the prestigious AD100 selection of the most influential and talented architects and interior designers. The founding partners, Matteo Monteduro (1970), Emiliano Roia (1971) and Andrea Quagliola (1972) were all born in Rome and studied Architecture at La Sapienza University. They are also committed academics at The University of Western Australia, teaching architecture, interior and technology. Furthermore, Emiliano was a guest teacher (2013-2017) and creative director (2018) at the international design and landscape workshop Lab-A in Spain curated by world acclaimed pritzker prize architects RCR. MORQ is also regularly invited as speaker in both national and international conferences.
We believe in a process of shared creative and holistic vision where architecture, interior, and landscape are thought out as fundamental parts of a whole vision. MORQ is dedicated to the making of architecture: meaningful spaces within essential and thoughtful buildings. In dialogue with existing conditions, whether natural or built, we see constraints as a starting point for our design, rather than impediments to our creativity. We envision spaces that are intimate yet open, engage with shades of natural light, change throughout the day and are activated by the emotive and sensorial qualities of materials. MORQ unique signature in the use of materials and light comes from almost 20 years of experience of researching, and sharing knowledge with local and international artisans. We aim to create an experience of space with intentionality, designing environments in which it is possible that a story can unfold…a background for life.
Our work is based on shared creativity introducing a design methodology, from the wish to the idea. It aims to define a common ground of critical and design thinking among Architects and Clients. The value of this approach is based on sharing, starting the initial client wish, “values and intentions” in order to “clarify” design decisions and define an original and mutually shared overarching design vision.
RECOGNITION
(2024) (2023) (2022)
AD 100 (Italy, Spain, France, Germany)
(2021)
AMAG 24 (Monographic publication) features MORQ’s 15 works, from built to unbuilt works.
AWARDS
2023
Elle Décor ‘Best of Interiors. Category: Best Resort. Project: Further Diffuse hotel
Archilovers ‘Best project 2023’. Project: Villa O
Award In/Architettura (Istituto Nazionale di Architettura). Category: new residential design. Project: Villa O
2022
Design Competition by Invitation Architects in residence, 100 Architects for 100 Houses (Saudi Arabia), Selected Winner project.
Western Australia Architecture Awards: Marshall Clifton Award, Residential Architecture – Houses (New). Project: Enclosed House II
2021
First Prize Design Competition by Invitation: Apartment Building in South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia
2019
Cloister House (Enclosed House I)
Australia: National Architecture Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Western Australia Architecture Awards: Marshall Clifton Award, Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Finalist Project, The Plan Award 2019, category: Houses
Commended Project, The Architectural Review Houses Award 2019, category: Houses
Villa RA
Finalist Project, The Plan Award 2019, category: Villa
Office in Rome
Finalist Project, The Plan Award 2019, category: Interior Retail
2017
Boranup House
Western Australia Architecture Awards: Marshall Clifton Award, Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Love Story Shop II
Western Australia Architecture Awards: Small Project Architecture
2016
Design Our Ryde
Shortlisted Project – International Design Competition, Sydney, Australia
2+2
Western Australia Architecture Awards: Award for Residential Architecture, Alterations and Additions
Domus RU
Finalist Project, The Plan Award 2016, category: Interior
Raddoppi
Finalist Project, The Plan Award 2016, category: Renovation
2015
Love Story Shop
National Architecture Awards: Commendation for Small Projects
Western Australia Architecture Awards: Award for Small Project Architecture
Western Australia Architecture Awards: Commendation for Interior Architecture
House in Noosa
Queensland Architecture Awards: Award for Residential – Houses (New) Architecture
Queensland Regional Architecture Awards: Sunshine Coast, Gabriel Poole Award for Building of the Year
Shortlisted Finalist for the Timber Design Award (National)
2014
Karri Loop House
Western Australia Architecture Awards: Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
Houses Awards: Commendation (National)
Shortlisted, Wallpaper International Awards 2014 for Best Private House
2013
Australian Timber Design Award: Best project overall in Western Region
Australian Timber Design Award: Best use of Timber Panels
Geoffrey Sanderson Trophy for Best use of Engineered Woods Products (Australia)
2012
Boral design Awards 2011/12, Professional Category, Australia (Commendation)
2011
3rd Prize Weddell Tropical Housing Design Competition, Darwin (NT) with M. Musiatowicz
2010
2nd Prize Rome 2010 Vertical Spa, Arquitectum
2010
1st Prize University of Canberra Campus Design: Siting of new key buildings, Canberra, Australia
2010
1st Prize University of Canberra Campus Design: The Main Campus, Canberra, Australia
2009
Shortlisted Scheme Landcorp “Real Challenge” Design Competition, Western Australia
2008
Special Mention Shinkenchiku Residential design Competition, Japan
2007
1st Prize Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club Competition, Perth (WA) with Spaceagency
2006
Timber Industry Award, WA; Awarded project: Courtyard House
EXHIBITIONS + TALKS
2018
Invited Speaker at Ingegneria Edile Architectura – Universita degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome (Italy)
2016
Included projects (Office in Rome) at Open House, Rome (Italy)
2014
Guest Lecture with Tezuka Architects – Tokyo City University (Japan)
2013
Exhibition Erasmus Effect MAXXI Museum, Rome (Italy)
2012
Included projects (Spazio Woolcan and Nia Shop) at Open House, Rome (Italy)
Invited Speaker at Open House, Perth (Western Australia)
2011
Invited Speaker at 3 Over 4 Under, Perth (Western Australia)
2011
Invited Speaker at YAP MAXXI Architecture Talks, MAXXI museum, Rome (Italy)
2009
Invited Speaker at at the Faculty of Architecture of Rome Valle Giulia (Italy)
2009
Invited Speaker at at the Faculty of Architecture of Venice IUAV (Italy)
2008
Abundant, Australian Pavilion at the 11th Venice Architecture Biennale (Australia and Italy)
DESIGN COMPETITIONS
2017
Hilton Housing Competition, Perth, Australia
2016
Design Our Ryde – Shortlisted Finalist – International Design Competition, Sydney, Australia
2015
The New Bauhaus Museum and School (Germany)
2012
Green Square Library, international design competition (Sydney – NSW)
Flinders St Station, international design competition (Melbourne – VIC)
Helsinki Public Library, international design competition (Finland)
Boral design Awards 2011/12, Professional Category, Australia (Commendation)
2011
Weddell Tropical Housing Design Competition, Darwin (NT) with M. Musiatowicz (3rd Prize)
2011
Arts Facilities and Gallery for Martumili Artists in Newman (WA)
2010
Cut Hill a Private Residence in York, WA
2010
Rome 2010 Vertical Spa, Arquitectum.com (2nd Prize)
2010
University of Canberra Campus Design Competition: Siting of key buildings, Australia (1st Prize)
2010
University of Canberra Campus Design Competition: The Main Campus, Australia (1st Prize)
2009
Landcorp “Real Challenge” Design Competition, Western Australia (Finalist)
2008
National Wildflower Centre, England
2008
Shinkenchiku Residential design Competition, Japan (Special Mention)
2007
Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club Competition, Perth (WA) with Spaceagency (1st Prize)