David Witte

I see design as a tool for social change, one that must be wielded sympathetically within local culture and customs. Participatory design helps communities prioritize their aspirations and facilitates self-improvement. Poco a poco, little by little, small steps lead to sustained change.

My research at the University of Washington blends the fields of architecture, global health, and cultural anthropology because complex problems require investigation from multiple perspectives.

HOME: In Seattle, I am a co-chair of UNITE AND IGNITE, a sub-committee of the Young Architect's Forum, AIA Seattle focused on community service. We are connecting young designers with other non-profits to provide an outlet for our often underutilized design sensibilities.

ABROAD:The complex issues facing our world today require us to break out of our silos. I look forward to working with the Informal Urban Communities Initiatives, which has focused on small urban communities in Peru.

I strongly believe that architecture can (and should) play a significant role in improving the lives of underserved and vulnerable populations. BUT, it is important to remember "Nothing for us without us"