Loma Mataika has always been one to build and nurture growth in whatever field she is pursuing.
As an ex-Fiji national basketball player, member of the Uto ni Yalo crew, and current Founder of Women in Sports Hub Fiji, it is no surprise that, at her core, her curiosity has its foundations in buildings, innovation, and growth.
Hailing from Natauloa, Narai, Lomaiviti, with maternal links to Burerua, Sawakasa, Tailevu, Ms Mataika’s fascination with architecture blossomed under the nurturing guidance of her grandfather.
“As a three or four-year-old kid, I thought houses grew like trees out of the ground,” she said.
“It was my grandfather who explained they didn’t.
He explained it was architects who designed homes and builders who built them.”
This childhood curiosity laid the foundation for Ms Mataika’s lifelong passion for architecture, with her educational journey starting in Fiji and taking her around the world.
“In high school, I did all the Technical Drawing classes,” she said.
“That got me into the Fiji Institute of Technology to study a Diploma in Architectural Technology.”
Following some tough love and wisdom from her father, Ms Mataika applied for and won a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) scholarship to study a Bachelors of Design at the University of Newcastle at Callaghan, Australia.
Later she won a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) scholarship to study a Masters of Engineering in Architectural Design at the Nagoya Institute of Technology in Japan.
Loma Mataika’s website for her architectural design agency.
These international experiences not only enriched Ms Mataika’s design acumen, but also instilled a deep appreciation for sustainable practices and cultural exchange.
“It was a fantastic experience,” she said about on her time in Japan.
“Living and learning in a place steeped with traditional attitudes and culture yet pushing innovation and efficiency for a kinder and happier experience in the modern world.”
Ms Mataika had also gained experience and recognition in her field during this time.
“I returned to Fiji and worked three years with AAPiDesign on some really great projects in the region; one of which, the Sky Apartments, won a Fiji Association of Architects Commendation Award,” she said.
“The refurbishment of the Tanoa int’l Dateline hotel is another project I am proud to have completed at the firm.”
Despite her success in established firms, Ms Mataika harboured a long-standing ambition to establish her own practice.
“I have always wanted to run my own practice,” she said.
“As an iTaukei and a woman, I feel it is important that we are represented in this space.”
Thus, Atelier153 was born—a platform for creative expression, community engagement, and sustainable design.
“Atelier153 allows me an interface to connect with my community on a creative level,” Ms. Mataika said.
“It’s about putting out work and a design language that speaks to our community in both its present and future versions.”
With a portfolio boasting high-end residential refurbishments and new builds across Fiji, Ms Mataika’s firm embodies her vision of architecture as a catalyst for social and environmental change.
Reflecting on her journey, Ms Mataika said: “The work has its own sets of challenges, and now in my adult life I find I’m trying to make my building more like trees, where they are one with their surroundings and contain passive sustainable strategies so that they consume minimal resources to remain cool and comfortable.”
“Further, the process of registering as an architect in Fiji is yet to catch-up with the dynamic and diverse needs of today.
“There are many young and qualified people waiting to be registered whilst the architects list is largely consistent of architects registered decades ago”.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Ms Mataika remains deeply committed to empowering women and youth through GO Connections Fiji.
“We run basketball camps for girls every Saturday,” she said.
“This initiative has been a long-time dream for my old teammates and me, whose lives were greatly impacted by our involvement in elite-level sport.”
Advice
Outlining the practical steps required to be an architect or architectural designer, Ms Mataika said not all relevant courses were available.
“Currently the diploma of architecture offered at FNU will prepare you as a draughtsman in a practice.
“A draughtsman prepares the technical drawings of a building that communicates to the builder the specifications and structural requirements of the build.
“A designer or architect’s work is more holistic as it covers all aspects pertaining to the user experience in a built environment as well as design sensibilities that is responsible to the clients budget and finances as well as vision and aspirations for the project.
“To develop your design skill you will need to pursue studies overseas as the Bachelor of Design or Architecture is not offered locally.
“There are a couple of good scholarships on offer with JICA, DFAT and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“The Bachelor requires maybe 100 hours a week worth of work at best and you can imagine the masters course.”
By: Shenal Harakh
- Shenal Harakh is the founder of her eponymous software development agency Shenal (www.shenal.online), which builds tech products for startup clients around the world.She is currently based in Fiji and is running workshops to digitally upskill communities. Head to https://fiji.shenal.online/ to sign up and keep up to date with new workshops, or follow her work on LinkedIn: Shenal Harakh or Twitter: @shenalyo.
Notes from the author
- Loma attended my workshop in 2023, and it was clear that her website needed to reflect a high-level of design which is why we decided to use Framer to build her site to allow for a higher level of interactions, animations and a “clean” look.