Matthew Lacey

Associate, Mechanical Engineer
Year joined DMA: 2017

Matthew brings extensive experience within the building services industry where he excels in design work, on-site inspection, and design auditing. Matthew has worked across a range of sectors, including retail centres, logistics warehouses, education and health care. His attention to detail and clear stakeholder communication enables Matthew to deliver solutions across a range of sectors and applications. Matthew is committed to practical application of relevant standards and continual improvement throughout the life of a project.

Matthew has developed expertise in detailed heat load analysis, energy modelling and mechanical ventilation design. He has extensive experience in VRV/F and DX systems design and chilled water system design.  He is particularly skilled at services coordination across complex jobs and generating specification documentation appropriate for each project he’s involved in.

Years in the army teamed with his formal education and now practical engineering experience has instilled in Matthew a strong drive to problem solve. He works to understand client needs and endeavour to provide innovative solutions in a timely manner.  Matthew believes that a full understanding of a client’s intent is critical to a successful project for all involved. Matthew works with a motivated team of multi-discipline engineers to provide co-ordinated and workable solutions, in a flexible delivery format to meet any client’s needs.

Matt’s clear, concise direction is always reassuring to be able to lean on. – Tim Oakley, McDonald’s Australia. 

My career highlights:

  • Responsible for the mechanical design component of numerous projects for McDonald’s Restaurants, including the integration of air conditioning, ventilation and kitchen exhaust.
  • Delivering the mechanical design for McDonald’s Melton store in Victoria, the 1000th store for Australia and first Green store constructed sustainably and using multiple recycled products, solar panels, fibre cutlery and renewable energy, which went on to win the Best Sustainable Project at the 2021 Master Builders Association of Victoria Awards.
  • Responsible for the mechanical design on numerous projects for ALDI supermarkets, including air conditioning systems, ventilation and smoke exhaust.
  • Responsible for the mechanical design on the Riverland Brisbane project, including air conditioning, ventilation and kitchen exhaust.
  • Developed the mechanical design for the Logan Hospital Ward 2F refurbishmentwhich included the air-conditioning and ventilation components on the project.
  • Managing a team of Fire, Electrical, Hydraulic and Mechanical engineers to deliver the Brisbane Markets Warehouse C1 project successfully, which has led to a further four design projects for DMA Engineers.
  • Assisting in the Bundaberg Hospital Covid Preparedness project, where existing areas within the hospital were modified to align with Covid protocols including changing areas to be served with 100% outside air while in pandemic mode.

Other select project experience:

  • Logan Hospital Ward 2F Redevelopment – Mechanical Engineer
  • Bundaberg Hospital Covid Preparadness – Mechanical Engineer
  • Queensland X-Ray Taringa fitout – Mechanical Engineer
  • Caloundra Christian College – Mechanical Engineer
  • Lutwyche Shopping Centre – Mechanical Engineer
  • Multiple McDonald’s locations across Australia – Mechanical Engineer
  • Multiple ALDI retail stores across Australia – Mechanical Engineer
  • Taringa Commercial – Mechanical Engineer
  • Brisbane Markets Warehouse C1 Project Rocklea – Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager for building services design
  • Sushi Kiyo Coorparoo Square – Mechanical Engineer
  • Roti & Buns Westfield Chermside – Mechanical Engineer
  • Beyond the Pale Bar – Mechanical Engineer
  • Genesis Christian College – Mechanical Engineer

My specialisations:

  • Multi-disciplinary design management
  • Air conditioning and ventilation design
  • Section J assessments and reports
  • Retail solutions

My qualifications and accreditations:

  • Bachelor of Engineering (HONS)
  • Member of Engineers Australia (MIEAust)

Professional Memberships:

  • Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH)