Matthew J. Heislen
Owner • Architectural Designer • 3D Modeling • Digital Rendering • Artist
I started drawing from a young age 5 or 6 with cars and trucks. As I got more skills I attended every art class in school. Also out of school I would take summer classed at the Milwaukee Art Museum and then again in High School with the Art Satellite Program.
After Attending MATC’s Architectural Associate Degree program, I then worked for several Builders to get more education in the trade with honing my skills to the point that I was looking to achieve more in the industry with starting my own business.
Heislen Designs was founded on January 1, 1999, with one simple philosophy:
Every family deserves a home designed specifically for the way they live.
For more than three decades, I have dedicated my career to designing custom homes that are as individual as the families who live in them. Rather than beginning with a preconceived style or floor plan, every project starts by understanding the people, their lifestyle, their property, and the vision they have for their future.
My design philosophy is built upon listening first.
By asking thoughtful questions throughout the design process, I discover what truly matters to each family. As those conversations evolve, so does the design. The result is a home that not only meets today’s needs but continues to serve generations through intelligent planning, timeless architecture, and exceptional functionality.
A Lifetime of Learning
My passion for residential design began at an early age while working alongside my grandfather on remodeling projects. Those experiences taught me the value of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and doing things the right way rather than the easy way.
That foundation shaped the designer I have become.
Today, with more than 30 years of experience designing fine custom homes, luxury lake residences, vacation retreats, and complex remodeling projects, I continue to approach every commission with the same enthusiasm and commitment to excellence that inspired me as a young craftsman.
Designing Beyond the Floor Plan
Great architecture is much more than arranging rooms—it is creating an environment that enhances the lives of those who live within it.
Every home is carefully designed to complement its building site while maximizing natural light, views, privacy, circulation, and long-term flexibility. Whether designing on a lakefront property, wooded acreage, rolling hillsides, or a challenging urban lot, every decision is made with both the family and the land in mind.
The goal is always the same:
To create a home that feels as though it could never have been built anywhere else.
Intelligent Design Through Technology
Heislen Designs combines decades of architectural experience with today’s most advanced design technology.
Every project is developed using professional 3D Modeling, high-resolution digital renderings, and immersive virtual fly-through presentations. This allows homeowners to experience their home long before construction begins, providing confidence that every space, proportion, and architectural detail has been thoughtfully considered.
Technology does not replace experience—it enhances it.
By combining cutting-edge visualization tools with over 30 years of intelligent, cost-effective residential design expertise, clients receive a level of understanding that traditional plans alone simply cannot provide.
A Personal Commitment
When you choose Heislen Designs, you are working directly with the designer responsible for every aspect of your project—from the first conversation through the final construction drawings.
My commitment is to provide thoughtful guidance, creative problem solving, and a collaborative design experience that transforms your ideas into a home that reflects your family’s lifestyle, personality, and dreams.
A custom home is one of life’s most meaningful investments.
It deserves careful listening, exceptional design, and a designer who understands that great homes are built around people—not simply walls.
Automotive Passion Built Into the Design:
Before beginning my career in architectural design, I spent nearly 10 years working in automotive body repair, painting, and design. I was involved in every aspect of the work, giving me firsthand knowledge of how automotive spaces need to function and a lasting appreciation for the craftsmanship, creativity, and passion behind the industry.
That experience continues to shape the way I design auto lounges, specialty garages, restoration shops, workshops, and other automotive-focused structures. These projects require more than simply adding garage bays to a building. The design must consider how vehicles will be displayed, moved, maintained, restored, and enjoyed. Work areas, lighting, storage, equipment clearances, ventilation, and gathering spaces all need to come together as one complete environment.
Past clients have included race car designers, automotive shop owners, woodworkers, craftspeople, and professionals from many specialized trades. Their needs are often unique and may not always be anticipated by a designer without firsthand experience. I understand that the building must support not only the work being performed, but also the tools, collections, routines, and personal interests that make the space meaningful.
If automobiles are an important part of your life, it makes a difference to work with a designer who understands and shares that passion. At Heislen Designs, an automotive space receives the same attention to function, individuality, and detail as every custom home—creating a place where the architecture and the automotive experience truly belong together.
Let’s Begin
When you’re ready to take the next step toward creating your dream home, I invite you to schedule a personal design consultation.
Together, we’ll create a home that is uniquely yours—one that is beautifully designed, thoughtfully planned, and crafted to enrich your family’s life for generations.
Watch Your Dreams Come Alive™
Heislen Designs
Matthew J. Heislen
Owner | Architectural Designer
262-378-9838