Portfolio davidwitte

DAVID WITTE

DAVID WITTE LANDSCAPE URBANISM LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE FINE ARTS EDUCATION PROFESSION OUTREACH ARTWORK

EDUCATION ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION 2011– PRESENT

TONGZHOU, CHINA Tongzhou is located to the south east of Beijing and is the starting point of China’s Grand Canal.

Its susceptibility to flooding led to various indexing studies to observe the impact of flood waters on the existing infrastructure and buildings of Tongzhou.

In order to represent the various levels of flooding a physical model was made with a movable tray in which the water (represented by zip ties) could move through the topography and show the various levels of flooding represented in the indexical drawing.

From left to right, Plans showing levels of flooding and outline of flood area, to be used in development of Model.

Hand sketches exploring construction technique of Model.

Images of Model, showing final construction and flooding through topography

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EDUCATION TONGZHOU, CHINA

DAVID WITTE PORTFOLIO

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BEIJING AND ITS FOUR FUNCTIONAL REGIONS BEIJING CITY TO SUBURBAN SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

MENTOUGOU, CHINA THESIS PROJECT (IN PROGRESS)

Mentougou is a western suburb - named the Green Gateway - of Beijing, which has undergone significant changes throughout its history. Heavy industry especially steel (Shougan steel plant) and

MENTOUGOU MENTOUGOU SHILONG

HAIDIAN INNER CITY OUTER CITY INNER SUBURB OUTER SUBURB

mining which were dominant in this region have now left leaving a large number of unemployed and a scarred landscape.

The goal of the project is to take advantage

of the vacancies left by industry and propose solutions that will help address the social needs of unemployment and a changing economic

DE-INDUSTRIALIZATION Unemployment - Contaminated Sites - Vacated Sites in City

Future Techno Vision Disjunction

structure of the city proposed in the masterplan.

All this while taking into account the physical limitations of the site and the rapid urbanization that is taking place in Chinese cities.

RAPID URBANIZATION

Increased Land Values - Displacement - Migration - Corruption

Diagram showing location of Mentougou in relationship to Beijing Location of Mentougou City in District of Mentougou Images and Diagrams of existing conditions in Mentougou.

STRAINED RESOURCES Damaged Ecosystem - Polluted River - Deforestation - Erosion - Low Water Table

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EDUCATION MENTOUGOU

Geographic Constraints from River and Mountains increase land values

In order ot understand the site better we began with the pedestrian. We wanted to understand the proximity of services to existing neighbourhoods on site. Using a Grasshopper definition we identified 5, 10 and 15 min walking distances following the existing road networks. This helped us identify areas that are lacking in services but also connections that might be missing between neighbourhoods. These studies will continue using nodes such as restaurants and markets to identify the access residents of Mentougou have to food.

Our goal is to propose interventions that are

minimal but powerful and fit within the specific needs of the city, interventions that weave and interact with the existing fabric of the city but propose new alternatives to urbanism that take into account the ecological, social and economic needs of Mentougou.

Diagrams showing 5, 10, 15 min walking distances from Commercial centres. These will be used as a way to identify areas in the city that are lacking in certain services and guide our proposed interventions.

DAVID WITTE PORTFOLIO

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.

SECONDARY NODE

10 MIN

ROAD INTERSECTION RULES FOR SECONDARY NODES MAJOR ROADS .

5 MIN

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PRIMARY NODES

ROOFTOP STRUCTURE SECONDARY NODE

CONNECTING

TRANSPORTATION HUB MID POINT BETWEEN

10 MIN

PRIMARY NODE

GATEWAYS INTO CITY

CANAL

TERTIARY NODE

VACANCY NEXT TO CANAL

ROOFTOP STRUCTURE

5 MIN. .

10 MIN

CANAL

MAIN EAST WEST CORRIDOR 5 MIN DISTANCE INTERSECTING WITHFROM CANAL

INTERSECTION OF ROAD AND CANAL

MINIMAL PATH

PRIMARY OR SECONDARY NODE

MARKET

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PRIMARY NODE

ADJUST TO ROAD STRUCTURE

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (MAGLEV TRAIN CONNECTION) .

10 MIN

M NEAR EXISTING MARKET

SECONDARY NODE PRIMARY NODES

ROOFTOP STRUCTURE

RY NODES

SECONDARY NODE

.

5 MIN

CONNECTING

MID POINT BETWEEN PRIMARY NODE

TERTIARY NODE

5 MIN.

CONNECTIONS LIMITED

BY TOPOGRAPHY

ROOFTOP STRUCTURE

MINIMAL PATH

PRIMARY OR SECONDARY NODE

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CONNECTIONS LIMITED

BY TOPOGRAPHY

5 MIN DISTANCE FROM PRIMARY NODE ADJUST TO ROAD STRUCTURE

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SECONDARY NODE

10 MIN

ROAD

SECONDARY NODE

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5 MIN

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10 MIN

PRIMARY NODES

ROOFTOP STRUCTURE

RULES FOR SECONDARY NODES INTERSECTION MAJOR ROADS

CONNECTING

MID POINT BETWEEN PRIMARY NODE CANAL

TERTIARY NODE

VACANCY NEXT TO CANAL

5 MIN. .

10 MIN

CANAL

ROOFTOP STRUCTURE

MINIMAL PATH

PRIMARY OR SECONDARY NODE

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UPPER LEVEL TRANSITION LEVEL GROUND LEVEL

HOVER OVER EX. ROOFS COLUMNS

STEP DOWN

BRIDGE CONNECTION

ATTACH TO EX. ROOFS

ENGAGE EXISTING MARKET

SETBACK

5 MIN DISTANCE FROM PRIMARY NODE

INTERSECTION OF ROAD AND CANAL

PRIMARY NODE SECONDARY NODE ADJUST TERTIARY NODE

TO ROAD STRUCTURE

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10 MIN

M

From left to right, diagrams showing the development and connection between nodes in the city resulting in the rooftop structure, based on a series of rules.

Layered axonometric showing the various levels of the city, and conceptual drawing showing intent of weaving these layers together.

VILLAGE

75% COVER

0% COVER

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EDUCATION MENTOUGOU

COLUMNS

ATTACH TO EX. ROOFS

ENGAGE EXISTING MARKET

SETBACK

INDUSTRY

VILLAGE

NEW PROGRAM CONNECTS WITH LOWER LEVEL

75% COVER

0% COVER

NEW PROGRAM

SETBACK ROOFTOP GREENHOUSE

STEP UP STEP

(BRIDGE)

STEP DOWN

EDUCATION

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

100% COVER

5% COVER

25% COVER

50% COVER

25-50% COVER

(BRIDGE)

ROOFTOP STRUCTURE COVERS PORTION OF ROAD

(ENGAGE)

ROOFTOP STRUCTURE COVERS PORTION OF ROAD

STEP UP

MAIN STREET

ENGAGE VACANCIES

NEW PROGRAM CONNECTS WITH LOWER LEVEL

5% COVER

MARKET

STEP DOWN STEP UP

COLUMNS

SETBACK ROOFTOP GREENHOUSE

NEW PROGRAM

(ATTACH)

(STEP DOWN)

100% COVER

ENGAGE VACANCIES BRIDGE OVER ROAD

STEP DOWN NEW PROGRAM

MAIN STREET

STEP DOWN STEP UP

COLUMNS

STEP DOWN

BRIDGE CONNECTION

NEW PROGRAM

MARKET (ATTACH)

(STEP DOWN)

NEW PROGRAM

HOVER OVER EX. ROOFS

(INTERACT)

NEW PROGRAM

INDUSTRY (INTERACT)

NEAR EXISTING MARKET

BRIDGE OVER ROAD

STEP DOWN

(STEP UP/DOWN)

(INFILTRATE)

ENGAGEMENT WITH EXISTING

SECONDARY STREET (COVER)

40% COVER

3 LEVELS

ROOFTOP SOCIOECONOMIC ZONE WEAVE TOGETHER

ROOFTOP SOCIOECONOMIC ZONE FORESTATION NETWORK ROAD NETWORK

The constrained geography of Mentougou does not allow the city to expand horizontaly, increasing landvalues and resulting in rapid urban development. Our proposal involves taking advantage of this vertical growth and using the upper layers of the city, the rooftops, as a means to create new opportunities for urban intervention.

The rooftop structure was developed using existing nodes within the urban fabric and then interconnected to provide a network throughout the city. The goal is to refine this structure, to allow it to operate in strategic areas creating interventions not only on the ground level but at various levels of the city.

Our team has also focused on a forestation network and new road network. The end goal is to weave these layers together creating interesting opportunities at their intersections.

FORESTATION NETWORK

DRAINAGE SUBDIVISION OF PLOTS

ROAD NETWORK

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EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

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GREENHOUSE 4,400 sq.m

110 Tons Food/ year $1.5 - 2 million revenue (20% net income/year)

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GREENHOUSE 4,400 sq.m

110 Tons Food/ year $1.5 - 2 million revenue (20% net income/year)

MENTOUGOU (250,000 people)

17.500 Tons Food/ year

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GREENHOUSE 4,400 sq.m

110 Tons Food/ year $1.5 - 2 million revenue (20% net income/year)

MENTOUGOU (250,000 people)

17.500 Tons Food/ year 14

EDUCATION MENTOUGOU

MENTOUGOU (250,000 people)

17.500 Tons Food/ year

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ROOFTOP GREENHOUSES (1.010.00 sq.m)

$240 - 320 million revenue (20% net income/year)

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ROOFTOP GREENHOUSES (1.010.00 sq.m)

$240 - 320 million revenue (20% net income/year)

SURFACE AGRICULTURE

ROOFTOP AGRICULTURE

GROUND LEVEL CIRCULATION

EDUCATIONAL FACILITY

UPPER LEVEL CIRCULATION

One of the opportunities we see for the rooftop structure is to provide employment and food security for the citizens of Mentougou. We are exploring the use of rooftop greenhouses that could be capable of not only meeting the food requirements for the city in vegetables and fruits but also produce excess as a way of creating income for the city.

We see this working in phases where the existing farmland is taken advantage of until the urban development takes over, then the rooftop agriculture would begin and eventually lead to a connected rooftop structure that provides opportunities for other programme, such as cultural and educational facilities.

We are still developing the final structure and exploring its various conditions but we are excited about the opportunities it provides and look forward to developing it further.

From left to right, images of Luftsa Farms and the High Line in New York, as precedent images for the rooftop structure

COMMUNITY CENTRE

Section showing layers of greenhouse and programme below incorporating water storage and cleansing.

AGRICULTURE (GREENHOUSE)

Plan showing location of markets and the “neighbourhood” it supplies food for.

COMMERCIAL

Plan showing number of greenhouses needed to meet vegetable and fruit requirements for city.

ROOFTOP ZONE

Diagrams showing progression from surface agriculture to rooftiop agriculture and then to rooftop structure

DAVID WITTE PORTFOLIO

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PROFESSION OLIN 2007–2011

WASHINGTON CANAL PARK Is a 3 acre park in Washington D.C. situated in a growing residential district. The park will become a new and innovative social nexus for Washington D.C. adjacent to the Anacostia riverfront. Once a 3 block stretch of the Washington Canal System. The design evokes the history of space through the use of a linear rain garden and a series of pavilions reminiscent of floating barges that were once common in the canal. Each block is treated in a unique way, addressing the various programmatic elements of the park. Ranging from an interactive fountain, to a restaurant pavilion and a children’s play area.

The clients desire to a create a zero energy park is achieved through design elements which demonstrate modern sustainable strategies and educate the community on environmental challenges and solutions.

Rendered plan, progressing from left to right the north block with large lawn for movies and concert. The Middle Block with children’s play area and large fountain. The Southern Block with interactive fountain and large restaurant pavilion. The Historic Canal is represented in a long linear rain garden with stone walls as edges.

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PROFESSION WASHINGTON CANAL PARK

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The historic Canal also inspired the design of a ice skating rink integrated into the plaza paving which would use the concept of ice paths versus the traditional open rink. A large skating area in the centre anchors the two loops which extend to the north and south creating a unique experience for each area of the rink. Temporary Seasonal planting would be installed to enhance the experience and create a destination for Washington D.C. in the winter.

From Left to right, Historic plan of Washington D.C. showing location of site in relation to the historic C&O Canal.

Images of the C&O Canal.

Winter plan of Southern Block showing the Ice Skating Path and Canal Loops.

Precedent images showing intent of Ice Skating Path and larger central Ice rink.

Perspective of people ice skating down one of the paths.

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PROFESSION WASHINGTON CANAL PARK

Perspective by Chris Landau - My role was to provided guidance to meet design intent

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The rain garden runs the entire length of the park and transitions from a Woodland condition on the north to a wetland condition on the south.

The rain garden functions as a stormwater collection basin, which filters and directs the water to an underground storage tank. Rainwater will also be collected from the roofs of future adjacent buildings, fulfilling the majority of the park’s irrigation demands.

The successional planting and variation in the edge condition of the garden, provide variety of environments for the user to enjoy and interact with rain garden. In the middle block a large fountain with a long still plane of water passes under the pavilion and spills down into a smaller pool. This was designed to mimic the locks of a canal as they open and allow water to fill a lower level.

A

From left to right, sections showing various conditions of the canal as it transitions through succession. Northern Block has a more wooded character (Section A). Middle Block has fewer trees and begins to display pools of water (Section B). Southern Block has a harder edge and higher visibility of water (Section A).

Perspective of Canal at Middle Block showing diversity of planting.

B

C

A

Diagram showing Concept of Succession and various plant species that represent this succession.

Sections and plan in collaboration with Rebecca Popowsky

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PROFESSION WASHINGTON CANAL PARK

B

C

TEERTS M

TEERTS L

TEERTS K

TEERTS I

TEERTS DN2

ECALP DN2

Perspective by Chris Landau - My role was to provide guidance to meet design intent

TERTIARY

ECALP DN2

SEONDARY

TEERTS M

TEERTS L

TEERTS K

TEERTS I

TEERTS DN2

PRIMARY

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TEERTS M

TEERTS L

TEERTS K

TEERTS I

TEERTS DN2

ECALP DN2

TEERTS L

TEERTS K

TEERTS I

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TEERTS DN2 ECALP DN2

ECALP DN2

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TEERTS I

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ECALP DN2

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TEERTS I

TEERTS DN2 ECALP DN2

ECALP DN2

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The design of each block took into account its potential to serve as both an active and passive space. The southern end of the park is located in proximity to a subway stop and primary pedestrian connection, reinforcing its character as an active node of the park. The central and northern blocks provide a more passive experience with play area for kids and seating areas under groves of trees.

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PROFESSION WASHINGTON CANAL PARK

ACTIVE From left to right, Diagrams and corresponding images studying the distribution of active versus passive areas in the park and the types of activities that would take place in each.

View of active south block with interactive fountain, cafe and wave bench.

View of Children’s play lawn with interactive sculpture and bench seating enclosure.

View of Passive North block with mist garden and tree grove, in the distance the main lawn showing movie night.

PASSIVE

Perspectives by Chris Landau - My role was to provide guidance to meet design intent

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A consistent use of materials helped tie together the three blocks of the park, while at the same time the unique treatment of each material highlighted the blocks characteristics. This was evident in particular on the furnishings which kept a simple palette of materials but varied the finishes and scale of the elements to ensure diversity among them. With the design of the benches black locust was used instead of the traditional IPE for its sustainable quality and local source of production. The minimal design and functionality of the benches on the northern block were contrasted by the playful and sculptural quality of the wave bench on the Southern Block.

The variety of benches designed for the park where used to emphasize the character of various spaces in the park. The common bench with back vs. a lower and more rustic bench with tilted back to allow for seating from the lawn next to it.

Detail drawings show the WThe wave bench, in the more active South Block provides a fun and sculptural bench that can be climbed on and provides various seating opportunities.

Opposite Page Graphic by Katy Martin - My role was to provide design collaboration 26

PROFESSION WASHINGTON CANAL PARK

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JACKSON FORK RANCH Is a 1300 acre Ranch located near Jackson Hole Wyoming, in the Hoback River Valley. The site is approximately 6 miles in length and 0.21 miles in width creating a narrow linear condition which has been cleared of vegetation for the expansion of a Bison operation on site. The client has a residence located on the western end of the site next to a man made lake. Further to the west he built a lodge which is currently used by Anglers who fish for trout along the Hoback River.

The client requested a master plan for the site which would address the siting of a new entrance drive to his house, a new lodge and a horse barn and ridding rink for his Percheron horses. In addition to this he requested for us to focus on a circulation system of trails that would allow for horse back ridding, biking, running and hiking, in order to enhance the experiences on site.

Plantings were used for screening from the neighbors and restoration of the rivers edge to improve the rivers quality and enhance the angling experience for his guests.

Rendered Plan showing the creation of “Rooms� through the use of Planting Corridors. Also showing improvements to the lake and existing main lodge adjacent to it.

Existing Image of Site showing the open character of site and disconnected planting across the valley floor.

View of mountains from main entrance road to site.

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PROFESSION JACKSON FORK RANCH

Existing Lodge

Wildlife Corridor

Main House and Lake Entrance Drive Wildlife Corridor

Proposed Lodge

Horse Barn and

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Wildlife Corridor

Hoback River

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During our analysis of the site the client expressed concern over the impact of wildlife on his fencing and the increase costs of maintenance. Our studies of the topography and migratory routes in the region identified wildlife crossing points which were confirmed by the client as being the main areas of fence damage on site. We used these findings to propose a break in the fencing in key location as well as the planting of corridors which would provide a safe crossing for the wildlife coming down to the Hoback River and connecting to their migratory routes.

This design move not only provided a function for the wildlife but helped break up the site into rooms allowing for a variety of experiences on site.

From left to right. Existing wildlife migration routes and the various animals that take part in this migration.

Existing site topography showing ridges and valleys used primarily by wildlife.

Diagram showing the relationship of the river in the migration routes of animals.

Perspective showing a planted corridor connecting both sides of the valley and encouraging wildlife crossing.

Plan and section of wildlife corridor and existing Bison fields on either side.

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PROFESSION JACKSON FORK RANCH

Perspective by Judy Venonsky - My role was to provide guidance to meet design intent

Section drawn in collaboration with Judy Venonsky

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5 YEARS

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PROFESSION JACKSON FORK RANCH

7.5 YEARS

15 YEARS

A lot of our energy was focused on the planting strategies for the Wildlife corridors. Cost constraints and limitations on the availability of plant material in the area did not allow for the proposal of a mass planting of trees. We instead took an approach that focused on the use of patches of caliper trees, saplings and void areas as a planting strategies for each species.

Conifers which have a relative slow growth rate were planted in greater percentages of caliper trees and low percentage of saplings and void areas. Aspen with a faster growth rate and high biodiversity in their understory were planted in greater quantities on site and used a higher percentage of sapling plantings.

Cottonwoods were planted within the wetland and riparian habitats. To minimize disturbance in these areas a high percentage of void areas and saplings were used. The stages for these various strategies were studied in a 5 year, 7.5 year and 15 year time period.

Stage 1: Reorganize the fencing on site to allow for the passage of wildlife through the valley floor. By doing this we also allow succession to occur and plant material to develop on its own.

Stage 2: Involved the planting of both saplings and caliper trees. These were planted in groupings of .5 Acre, 1 Acre and 2 Acres.

Stage 3: Plantings begin to grow and fill in the patches and spread into the adjacent void spaces.

From left to right, diagram showing various plant types and the strategies for planting one of the corridors. These diagrams also illustrate the stages of growth for sapling areas, caliper tree planting and void areas.

Birds eye graphic showing stages of growth over a 15 year period.

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The wildlife corridors also became part of the circulation system for the site. Trails followed the corridors creating a series of loops around the property, providing a variety of experiences through each one of the different planting environments. The trails were of various widths and construction, some were of considerable width to allow the circulation of service vehicles as well as horse and buggy rides which were popular with guests. Gravel and mulch trails allowed for comfort of running and walking trails while the cleared path trails were appropriate for hikers and mountain biking.

The client had a passion for bird watching and experiencing wildlife, the potential for encounters with wildlife in these various crossings becomes an added experience for the guests and residents of the property.

The various trail conditions on site, varied from boardwalk through wetland plantings, mulch paths through Aspen groves and dirt paths through conifer forests.

Diagram showing proposed trails through site.

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PROFESSION JACKSON FORK RANCH

All perspectives by Judy Venonsky - My role was to provided guidance to meet design intent

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OUTREACH ECUADOR 2004–PRESENT GROWING MINDS 2008

From left to right, Presentation to the community of Anangu to get their input on design decisions.

Images of community meetings to determine needs and prioritize projects.

Group of students working on Grading Plan for the community of San Miguel.

Project Member from Verde Milenio explaining plans to the community members during an informal meeting.

Far right, a family at the doorway of their home in San Miguel.

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OUTREACH ECUADOR SERVICE LEARNING

ECUADOR SERVICE LEARNING For the past 8 years I have been working in partnership with my professor Kim Wilson and the foundation Verde Milenio in a service learning course in Ecuador. The goal of the course is to provide students an opportunity to enrich their education through practice in another country.

Projects are initiated by community input and identification of their needs. Once these have been identified students work on design solutions. My role in this course has progressed over the years from translator to assistant professor. Now that I am in Philadelphia I have been hired by the University of Nebraska as an adjunct professor to continue to work with students from the department of Architecture and Landscape Architecture to work on new projects. Our work has taken place in many regions of Ecuador, but I have identified two projects which have been the most successful.

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SAN MIGUEL Is a small community in the North West of Ecuador in a region called Esmeraldas. The community faces many challenges due to its isolation and lack of job opportunities for its growing community. Students were involved in surveying the site and using the Base Plan for the development of a master plan for their future growth. We are working alongside the community to find economic opportunities in Eco Tourism and food production that could serve surrounding communities as well as outside investors. We are also currently raising funds for the construction of a school and improvements to their community centre and Eco Tourism hotel.

Above: Image of San Miguel Community looking down on main square.

Centre: Perspective of proposed improvements to main square including new stepped retaining wall to allow for seating during soccer games and other events.

Right: Plan for the community showing existing and proposed buildings.

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OUTREACH ECUADOR SERVICE LEARNING SAN MIGUEL

Eco Tourism Hotel

Proposed Steps (Perspective)

Proposed School

Existing Buildings Proposed Buildings

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ANANGU Is a small community in the Rain Forest of Ecuador. It is situated along the Rio Cayapas in the South East of Ecuador. The community is responsible for the Napo Wildlife Centre which has provided helpful economic revenue allowing the community to pursue improvements in the realms of education and health care.

We were asked to help the development of a master plan for their community. A plan had already been drawn up by several community members and we used this as a foundation for our design decisions. During a two week session students interviewed community members, surveyed the area and divided into groups to develop design alternatives. The community voted on their favorite plan and this was developed further.

Students designed building typologies, stormwater treatment systems and strategies for sewage and potable water infrastructure.

The Ministry of Education of Ecuador is funding a portion of the School design and we are currently raising funds for other projects on site.

Clockwise from left, Plan of Anangu community showing distribution of community around main open space (Soccer Field). School complex is central in the community with residential areas on either side.

Existing image of Anangu showing Architectural types Plan developed by community which was used as a foundation for design decisions Students hear a description of the existing community plan.

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OUTREACH ECUADOR SERVICE LEARNING - ANANGU

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GROWING MINDS Was a volunteer project in which a small group of OLIN staff worked with children from the Richard Allen Preparatory School. The students asked for our help in creating a garden at their school. Several design charrettes took place involving the participation of the students. One in particular involved the students building various models of the garden and then voting on their preferred version. This was then used as a basis for the final design. During a two day work session, staff from OLIN and the students dug the paths, planted trees, shrubs and flowers and built benches from donated palettes.

The project was a great opportunity to interact with the surrounding community and our hope is to find many other opportunities such as these in the years to come.

From left to right: Children Building a model during a design charrette.

Beginning to dig out a portion of the path.

Planting shrubs in the garden The finished result showing new path, planted areas and palette benches built by the children.

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OUTREACH GROWING MINDS

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OUTREACH GROWING MINDS b c

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2 a c a) use saw to cut back supports at marked locations. b) Slide back piece in between boards and hold in place c) Drill holes and insert bolts, place washers between bolt head and wood and between bolt nut and wood.

a

b c

a) Place thick boards from disassembled palette 1 in between openings of palette 2. Boards must fit flush against boards of pallete. b) Lay thinner boards, in tight spacing 1/4� gap minimum. Predril holes for screws and add screws c) Slide back piece in between open slots and measure prefered height of back, mark where to cut excess

c

a) Take one board from stack of leftover boards that were previously stored. b) Cut Board in Half c) Use one half for each side of bench.

Attach leg backrest supports, predrill holes for screws and add screws.

Congratulations you are finished!

a) Begin with standard palette (00x00) in good condition. b) Remove all boards from palette and store for later use.

1 a

a * If used outdoors two coats of primer or sealant is recomended to protect wood.

1 a b

a) Relax and Enjoy

b

a) Begin with standard palette (00x00) in good condition. b) Remove first four boards from front of palette or boards to clear _____, c) Remove boards from.....

1 Palette 2

a) Replace boards closer together (1/4� min. gap) b) Pre-drill holes for screws and add screws c) Saw off board extension to remain flush with edge of boards.

b

a) Raise front of palette to appropriate height for comfortable seating. b) While at this position attach legs by pre-driling and then using screws (type b) c) Saw off extended portion of leg to remain flush with top of palette.

Palette 1 Palette 1 + 2

From left to right: Assembly instructions for the palette bench. A palette bench before painting. Work session with children to built palette benches. Children painting the benches white.

Enjoying the finished product.

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ART WORK VARIOUS 2004–PRESENT

DRAWINGS The ability to draw is essential in being able to communicate ideas clearly. The study of figures, forms, light and texture is a skill I continuously strive to improve. I took several figure drawing classes during my undergraduate education.

For my final assignment in one of these classes we were required to do a self portrait, this was based off of a photograph and drawn at a larger size (almost life size). I continued to take figure drawing classes at the Fleisher Art Institute in Philadelphia.

Self Portrait (36� x 74�)

Enlargements of areas in the drawing.

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ARTWORK DRAWINGS

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TEAPOT AND FIGURES This series was inspired by the Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and his use of overhanging eves and dominant horizontal lines. The Teapot was the first piece created in this series and inspired numerous other pieces in the same style. I was interested in using the horizontal vocabulary to create an interesting dynamic within the piece and create a stylized expression of a common object such as a teapot or pitcher.

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ARTWORK TEAPOT AND FIGURES

The figure series followed using the same style but also looking at Marcel Duchamp paintings for inspiration. The pieces although strongly architectural begin to express movement and mood. These three pieces were exhibited in the NCECA (National Ceramics Council) show in 2006.

This series served as a jumping point for a larger piece created for my senior exhibition titled “193”.

From left to right, Frank Lloyd Wright “Robie House” Marcel Duchamp “Nude Descending Staircase” Teapot (5”Wx 5”Dx 18”T) Figure Standing (10”Wx 10”Dx 24”T Figure Sitting (10”W x 10”D x 18”T)

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193 Was my Senior Design exhibition for Ceramics.

It involved a years worth of work and was inspired by the barrios of Caracas in my country of birth, Venezuela. I built 193 ceramic boxes which was equivalent to one box per country in the world. These boxes were built to represent the homes clinging to the hillsides in the barrios, but also had a deeper meaning to them. I used geometrical shapes to represent the relationship of individuals within families living in these conditions. In many instances children are sent to work in the streets and begin to function as the support for the family, this is represented by having smaller shapes structurally supporting the remaining shapes in a box. In most cases a variety of shapes are within a box as is typical with having numerous families sharing common quarters. As part of the exhibition I built a structure representing a “rancho� and hung the boxes on the walls.

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ARTWORK 193

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Clockwise from left to right Concept Sketches of Structure Interior of Structure showing bed, metal and wood walls and poster washed walls.

Outside wall of Structure showing entrance door and wall of boxes.

Front View of Structure showing walls covered in boxes and dividing white Gallery wall with Prints.

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ARTWORK 193

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SECTION NAME

The texture formed by the boxes starts reading as a unit and makes us overlook the individual characteristics of each box.

Which is unfortunately a characteristic of our description of poverty.

The boxes were sold individually and the money raised was sent to a local homeless shelter.

Below is the artist statement

This piece is about the great divide and the overlooked threads that form the fabric of society. This piece is about the collective effort, the importance of the individual; about realizing the interplay and importance of all members of our society and their role in the broader scheme of life.

This piece is about appreciation, about sensitivity and observation. You can choose to look over the broad scheme and simply label it as poverty but if you look closely there are some smiling faces, work is taking place and life is being valued. There is a duality to life and this piece tries to identify it.

This piece is also about owning a three story home with no children and complaining about not having enough room to entertain the guests.

On far left, image of Structure with gallery lights off.

Clockwise left to right, Adding Oxide Stain to the ceramic Box. Spraying Glaze on Boxes. Boxes with Glaze before entering the Kiln. Numbered boxes waiting to be hung on walls.

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PRINTS As part of the 193 exhibit I also developed a series of prints representing the unsettling contrast between societies on this planet. The excess of consumption and waste exhibited in developed nations is juxtaposed by individuals living on less than 1 dollar a day and having to survive off of scraps that others leave on the floor or throw in the trash every day. I feel a strong connection to those individuals and try to use my artwork as a wake up call but also a means of fund raising for different causes around the planet.

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ARTWORK PRINTS

From left to right, concept sketch and lithograph “Plenty to go Around” Necessity, Lithograph 10”x15” Abundance, Lithograph 10”x15” Supply and Demand, Lithograph 10”x15” Concept sketches for Abundance and Supply and Demand

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DAVID WITTE 15 LEIGHTON CRESCENT KENTISH TOWN NW5 2QY LONDON UK 07504.996.482 dwitte82@gmail.com