Fast 15: Matt Hoffman

Like most children, Matt Hoffman did his share of coloring. Only his coloring books were different than most.

“My parents were always involved in the building industry, and there were constantly plans and designs all over the place,” he recalled. “My mom likes to tell stories about me drawing additions to skyscrapers in crayon.”

Indeed, Hoffman has been drawn to the architecture and design industry for some time.

“I honestly never even considered that I would do something other than this,” he said. “It has always been here.”

Hoffman, who grew up in the Wilson Park area of Fayetteville, graduated with a bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Arkansas in 2010.

After a six-month layoff to get a musical project off the ground (another of his passions), Hoffman worked with design-build firm 3DG Inc. in Rogers, and then later David McKee Architect in Fayetteville.

While at McKee, his work on the preservation and adaptive reuse of a home at 315 W. Mountain St. in Fayetteville was recognized with an AIA Arkansas Honor Award, the state’s highest award for achievement in architectural design.

Hoffman joined the UACDC last summer, and said working there is a way to cultivate his passion for planning and community design.

“That is something I believe in very deeply,” he said. “Cities need to be made for people. I think we spent a lot of the 20th century building cities for cars.”

Hoffman is also currently working with regional and community leaders to develop disaster recovery plans for Mayflower and Vilonia, towns in central Arkansas that were devastated by an F4 tornado one year ago.

Hoffman, engaged to be married in September, recently completed a three-year term on the city of Fayetteville’s Board of Adjustments. He’s also just been appointed to a three-year term on the Fayetteville Planning Commission.

Hoffman was a member of the marching band at both Fayetteville High and the UA, and in 2010 he founded RVI Percussion Ensemble, providing professional performance opportunities to aspiring high school and college percussionists. In 2013, RVI was the first percussion ensemble from Arkansas to reach the finals of the WGI World Championships.

Hoffman has worked as a contract percussion instructor for numerous school districts in the last 10 years. He is presently working with students in the Bentonville School District.