A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.
SAIC faculty member Matthew Snoap, a person with light skin tone, a beard, and glasses.

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Matthew Snoap

Lecturer

Contact

Bio

Matthew Snoap (he/him) is a licensed architect in Illinois and Massachusetts, and the founder and principal architect at 88 WEST Architecture. Opened in 2020, 88 WEST is a thoughtful design practice with a focus on residential and small commercial projects in and around the city of Chicago.

Matthew’s academic and community work is foundational to the practice. In 2011, he helped to develop a design-build mentorship program for high school students with A.C.E. Chicago, and continues to support the program as an instructor and committed booster. Matthew is currently on faculty at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, teaching in the graduate department of Architecture, and volunteers his expertise on the 47th Ward Zoning Advisory Committee.

Prior to opening his practice, Matthew accumulated over 15 years of experience working with some of Chicago’s best design offices on a range of project types. These included single-family homes, multi-family affordable housing and post-card worthy high-rise towers, both in the US and abroad.

Awards

NCARB Scholar (2025), Architecture Education Award (2011).

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

Course is for students to develop 'comprehension of' and 'ability in' the selection and location of building systems and their integration into design considerations.

Course Goals and Objectives
1) Design practice: Course develops knowledge in basic building mechanical systems. An understanding of the role that the building systems play in design decisions developed through an analysis of historic and contemporary buildings.
2) Design practice: Building science skills: develop the ability to communicate system performance information and component specification in analytical drawings, diagrams and conventional plans and sections.
3) Building science skills: Developing investigative skills allowing students to effectively choose and incorporate mechanical systems during pre-design. Basic environmental systems concepts including component specification and sizing.

Class Number

2257

Credits

3

Description

Studies the Architectural profession, addressing legal and ethical issues, public health and safety, leadership, architect's and client's role, office costs and organization, and building cost estimation.

Course Goals and Objectives
1) Discover and examine contemporary models of architecture practice. Prepare students to anticipate and navigate the complexity of establishing a nimble and purposeful design practice.
2) Understand the logistics of practice, strategies and processes of operating a business, pursuing commissions, negotiating contracts and managing a project during design & construction.
3) Learn to use basic building cost estimation methods.

Class Number

2219

Credits

3