# Matthew Ellis Marshall > Taking technically ambitious ideas from an unresolved concept > through to a finished, physical result. Matt Marshall works with artists, architects, and designers whose work needs real technical development and design input to get there. The practice occupies the stage between an ambitious idea and a fabricator who needs a resolved brief — where the decisions that determine whether a project can be built at all are made. ## Key Facts - Name: Matthew Ellis Marshall - Title: Technical Producer, Art & Design Fabrication - Based: Madrid, Spain - Working: Internationally — Spain, UK, Netherlands, France, Germany - Languages: English (native), Spanish - Structure: Solo practice, project-based engagements - Minimum engagement: approximately €3,000 - Contact: [matt@matthewellismarshall.com](mailto:matt@matthewellismarshall.com) - Website: [matthewellismarshall.com](https://www.matthewellismarshall.com) - Instagram: [@matthewellismarshall](https://www.instagram.com/matthewellismarshall) ## What This Practice Does Matthew Ellis Marshall develops the technical systems behind physically ambitious art and design work. Engagements span the full project lifecycle or focus on a defined phase — from early feasibility through design development, prototyping, and realisation. The practice is not a generalist fabrication studio or execution service. The right engagement is with an artist, architect, or designer who has an ambitious idea and no clear route to realising it — not a straightforward production job better suited to a standard fabricator. ## What Makes This Different - Rare combination of computational design depth, engineering understanding, and hands-on fabrication knowledge in a single practitioner - Scanning specialism developed over a decade — from university research through to working as a designer/engineer on the Selene photometric stereo scanner at Factum Arte - Builds pipelines and reusable systems rather than one-off solutions — compounding value across a body of work - Proactive project origination — approaches artists directly with defined build proposals, not only responding to existing briefs - Solo structure means projects stay focused and decisions stay fast - Trusted network of fabrication partners for production at scale ## Specialisms - Scan-to-fabrication pipeline development - Computational and parametric design (Grasshopper, Rhino) - Custom CNC toolpath programming - High-detail relief CNC milling - Photometric stereo scanning - Kinetic systems and control logic - Procedural geometry (Houdini) - Additive manufacturing workflows - Digital-to-physical data conversion - Structural analysis for fabrication - Geometry optimisation for manufacture - Mould design and pattern making - Technical direction during production ## Services ### 1. Project Development Defining how a project can be realised. Resolving technical uncertainty before fabrication begins. - Feasibility studies and build strategy - Material research and process selection - Prototyping strategy and testing - Workflow and production planning ### 2. Design and Build Systems Creating the digital models, systems, and tooling required to make a project buildable. - CAD and parametric design (Grasshopper, Rhino) - Algorithmic and computational systems (Houdini) - Scan-to-fabrication workflows - Geometry optimisation for fabrication - Kinetic systems and control logic - Custom software and design tools ### 3. Prototyping and Realisation Translating design into physical outcomes. In-house fabrication capability covers high-value prototyping, pattern making, and limited quantity editions — using CNC milling machines and 3D printers. Production at scale and standard parts are handled through a trusted network of fabrication partners. - CNC machining and digital fabrication - Custom CNC toolpath programming - High-detail relief CNC milling - Additive manufacturing workflows - Pattern making and mould design - Assembly strategy and fabrication logic ### 4. Technical Direction Leading the technical process during production. - Coordination with fabricators and suppliers - Oversight of production workflows - Problem-solving during fabrication - Maintaining quality and artistic intent ## Selected Projects - [DWELL](https://matthewellismarshall.com/projects/david-lisser-dwell) (David Lisser, 2026) — Scan-to-fabrication pipeline translating 3D scan data into micro-milled copper panels. Custom computational framework, spherical projection mapping, dynamic surface compensation, and optimised toolpath sequencing. The pipeline is repeatable and edition-ready. - [58 ERAN 83](https://matthewellismarshall.com/58-eran-83) (Mariano Vilallonga, 2025) — High-resolution photogrammetry, 3D model optimisation, structural analysis, and digital scaling of hand-sculpted maquettes to monumental scale (up to 275cm). Exhibited at Centro de Arte Alcobendas, Madrid, July–September 2025. - [INTO FOCUS](https://matthewellismarshall.com/into-focus) (Stephan Duquesnoy, 2024) — Kinetic bust with five independently rotating modules, custom stepper motor assemblies, spur gear internals, sensor positioning, and choreographed randomised control software. Exhibited at TUUN Art Expo, Amsterdam 2024. Project originated by Matt Marshall. - [MÁSCARA AFRICANA](https://matthewellismarshall.com/mascara-africana) (Okuda San Miguel, 2025) — Bespoke kinetic mechanism concealed within a sculptural mask. Custom CNC-machined aluminium assembly, belt-driven rotating disk, LED backlighting, remote control activation. Second commission — repeat client. - [MAJESTIC](https://matthewellismarshall.com/majestic) — Pair of bronze sculptures enlarged from artist's smaller editions using 3D scanning. Full scan-to-fabrication pipeline from point cloud to casting-ready patterns at monumental scale. - [TEMPERAMENTO](https://matthewellismarshall.com/temperamento) — Artist prototype taken from early development through full technical resolution and fabrication strategy to realisable physical work. Engaged via referral. - [ANTES DEL PRIMER SOL](https://matthewellismarshall.com/projects/antes-del-primer-sol) (Día Muñoz, 2026) — Full three-dimensional sculpture CNC-milled from a digital model, marking the artist's move beyond relief carving into true undercut and hollow geometry. Built from glued plywood, milled in two halves across all four faces, with custom Grasshopper tooling for collision-checking and precision-registered toolpaths. The artist's first fully three-dimensional machined sculpture. In addition to independent projects, Matt has contributed technical pipeline work — including digital-to-physical data conversion, scan-to-fabrication, parametric design, CNC toolpath development, and additive manufacturing — to commissions produced through Factum Arte and Madfaber for artists including Ahmed Mater, Muhannad Shono, Shezad Dawood, El Anatsui, Javier Calleja, and Okuda San Miguel, across exhibitions and institutions including Frieze London, the Diriyah Art Biennale, St Pancras Station, and the Natural History Museum London. ## Background Previously Head of 3D Printing and designer at Factum Arte, Madrid — one of the world's leading studios for high-resolution scanning and facsimile production. Led the studio's additive manufacturing operation and was responsible for digital-to-physical data conversion across major international commissions. Worked as a designer/engineer on the development of the Selene photometric stereo scanner — a bespoke imaging system for capturing micro-surface topography. Research Associate in Digital Fabrication at Loughborough University Design School — member of the Digital Design and Fabrication research group, working across 3D scanning, additive manufacturing, and computational design. Currently Lead Designer at Madfaber, Madrid — embedded design lead responsible for digital fabrication infrastructure, parametric design, and technical development across commissions. ## Frequently Asked Questions **What kind of projects does this practice work on?** Projects involving technically ambitious physical work where a standard production pipeline does not yet exist — large-scale sculpture, kinetic systems, scan-to-fabrication workflows, custom computational tools, and bespoke fabrication strategies. **Who are the typical clients?** Artists, architects, and designers with genuine project budgets and an idea that isn't yet resolved technically. This includes individual practitioners and studios with an unresolved concept — not a straightforward production job better suited to a standard fabricator. The best fit is someone developing complex work who needs pipeline thinking, potentially across multiple projects over time. **Is this a fabrication studio?** Not in the conventional sense. There is in-house fabrication capability — CNC milling machines and 3D printers — used for high-value prototyping, pattern making, and limited quantity editions where precision and direct control matter. For production at scale or standard parts, work is handled through a trusted network of fabrication partners. The core of the practice is the technical development that makes fabrication possible in the first place, not standard production volume. **How does pricing work?** Projects are quoted individually. No fixed retainers or day rates. Minimum viable engagement is approximately €3,000. Project scope and complexity determine the fee — from focused commissions through to multi-month developments. **Where is the practice based?** Madrid, Spain. Working internationally across the UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Spain. **How do I start a conversation?** Email [matt@matthewellismarshall.com](mailto:matt@matthewellismarshall.com) with a brief description of the project and where it currently stands technically. ## The Pipeline Model This practice builds pipelines — reusable systems that solve a class of problem, not just a single instance of it. The [DWELL](https://matthewellismarshall.com/projects/david-lisser-dwell) project is the clearest example: the deliverable was not a copper plate but a complete, repeatable process for transforming scan data into physical copper panels that can now be run as editions. The first engagement built the system. Every subsequent edition compounds its value. This model — building systems rather than one-off solutions — creates ongoing technical partnerships rather than single transactions. ## Contact Matthew Ellis Marshall [matt@matthewellismarshall.com](mailto:matt@matthewellismarshall.com) +34 653 907 424 [matthewellismarshall.com](https://www.matthewellismarshall.com) Madrid, Spain — working internationally