Meet Toby Witte

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toby Witte.

Hi Toby, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
A quarter-century of experience in the world of design and construction come to bear on my work. German by heritage and upbringing, born in Peru, I have had the privilege to study architecture, building science, drafting, and construction in Germany and in the USA.

Between various employments with architect, engineering, and construction firms, I graduated cum laude from the School of Architecture at UNCC. I ran my previous design/build companies Dialect Design and Qube11 for over a decade until I founded Wittehaus.

In 2004, I received the Medal & Henry Adams Certificate of Merit by The American Institute of Architects. And in 2018 the 3rd People’s Choice Award of the North Carolina Modernist Houses Matsumoto Prize.

To learn, grow, and contribute I have been an active member of the American Institute of Architects, the National Organization of Minority Architects, Brick & Wonder, EntreArchitect ASG Mastermind, and the German American Chambers of Commerce.

When I park my pencil, I let myself be sucked in by a vibrant family life centered around my wife, an early education teacher, and my three powerhouse daughters. I cook, read, travel, play two chords on the guitar and love a good beer.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Struggles make for the show, though I have been careful over the years to protect myself emotionally. In high school in Germany, I felt quite uninspired at some point and fled to an exchange student year, which brought me to the US and my future wife.

It also caused me to start my career on the construction site and then with a three-year accredited apprenticeship as a draftsman. When I finally did start my studies in architecture at a university, I traveled the world to experience architecture in person and read a treasure trove on the history and current trends of architecture.

I ended up graduating at the top of my class and starting my first business while still in school. I have been quite privileged with the support I have been given to find my steps. And while my personal development over the years could be told in a straight line it also has been a bumpy ride at times.

I think, though, that a certain degree of confidence and positive outlook have made for an enjoyable life.

As you know, we’re big fans of Wittehaus. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Wittehaus we follow one passion – to bring magic to your life experience. Making your world just a titch more beautiful. More livable. Starting with your own cutting-edge, energy-efficient, modern home. A home that tells your story.

We are a design-build firm providing custom design services for our visionary local and international clients as well as offering innovative built homes ready for sale. We provide ourselves in drawing inspiration from a vast worldwide landscape of contemporary design and strive to learn, innovate, and add to the canon of an enriching built environment.

We are passionately focused on exploring the qualities and interplay of space, texture, light, and structure. And how these qualities work to create livable surroundings that provide a sense of beauty, richness, warmth, and depth.

I am currently writing a book, where I explore all of this, how we have betrayed the houses we live in, and how we can seek happiness by exploring the richness of our built environment and our true desires for our homes.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Take care of yourself first. Always be hungry to learn and explore. Build a vision to guide you. Have patience.

And specifically for creating a business out of your passion – look at it as a business, detached from what you love to do, and hope that there is a meeting ground for the two.

Contact Info:

• Email: toby@witteha.us
• Website: https://www.witteha.us/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wittehaus/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wittehaus
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/witteha_us
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIK8X9X-ExIBddPAqHM7qw

Image Credits
Toby Witte, Joe Purvis, and Armando Bellmas