President Matthew Cormia, AIA of the Orlando-based architecture firm, Cormia Design Group, sadly passed on September 1st, 2025, as announced by the firm via LinkedIn.
The team at Cormia Design Group is in mourning over the loss of Matthew Cormia, AIA. As the founder and president, Matt’s contributions to our firm have been immeasurable. Matt bravely fought pancreatic cancer for over 16 months before his passing.
With a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years, Matt began his journey in California after graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He practiced architecture in California and Texas before establishing his home in Florida in 2004. Throughout his career, Matt’s vision and expertise have significantly influenced multifamily developments, educational institutions, restaurants, commercial properties, medical offices, corporate buildings, and many more projects.
Matt commenced his career in Central Florida working alongside his future partner, Ray Scott, at The Scott Partnership. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he founded MDC Architects from his home a few years after relocating to Florida. As the workload grew, he and Ray united their talents to establish Scott + Cormia Architecture and Interiors in 2015, reuniting former employees from The Scott Partnership. Matt often referred to this period fondly as “getting the band back together.” Following Ray’s retirement, the firm rebranded in early 2024 to Cormia Design Group, elevating Matt’s role from Partner to President.
His architectural work extended throughout the Southeastern United States, with a particular emphasis on Central Florida. Some of Matt’s notable designs include the Channel Club high-rise in Tampa, FL, Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille in Gainesville, FL, and a diverse portfolio of multifamily projects throughout the region.
Cormia Design Group’s Director of Commercial and Interiors, Natalie Casey, who worked with Matt for 10 years, remembers him as “more than a boss — he was a true leader. He gave me the chance to step up, to lead, and to grow in ways I never thought possible. His belief in me opened doors that forever changed the course of my career, and I will always carry that gratitude with me.”
Matt’s vibrant personality was evident in the office with display cases filled with Lego creations ranging from Star Wars themes to architectural models. Anyone who met Matt knew of his enthusiasm for Legos, space exploration, and Star Wars, particularly the combination of the three.
Ben Hooley, VP of Operations at Cormia Design Group, has worked closely with Matt since the merger of the firms in 2015. “Matt was a great mentor who taught me many things over the years.” Hooley reflects on their time working together. “He was always available to listen and offer advice if you were in an unfamiliar situation. He deeply cared about all his employees, both professionally and personally. This made Cormia Design Group feel like an extension of his family.” Hooley to remain as Cormia Design Group’s main point of contact.
Matthew Cormia’s professional legacy will endure through the buildings he designed, the firm he developed, and the numerous individuals whose careers and lives he impacted. His presence will be profoundly missed.
“His passion for providing our clients with the best experience and service possible was inspiring. I will always remember the humor and humility he brought to every conversation.” Hooley reflected.
Matthew Cormia is survived by his parents, Karen and David, his wife, Dina, his three children, Sydney (Harrison Files), Kate, and Ava, and his grandson Cooper.
About Cormia Design Group:
Based in Orlando, Florida, Cormia Design Group has projects across the Southeast. The firm serves a variety of clients in the multifamily, office, retail, restaurant, hospitality, industrial and healthcare/senior living realms. With a mission of serving clients through creatively bringing their visions to life and working to continually elevate the places the firm works, the Cormia Design Group team is humbled to work with a multitude of developers, contractors and private clients.
