Why Your Dream Home Might Be a Mistake: The Case for Smaller, Smarter, Soulful Design – Ep 106 with Toby Witte
This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes architect Toby Witte of Wittehaus—creator of healthy, high-performance luxury homes in the Carolinas. From his roots in Germany to building dream homes in North Carolina, Toby shares how sustainability and soul can go hand-in-hand. They explore why “less is more” isn’t just a design mantra, how solar panels are becoming a no-brainer, and why the best homes are built like Yeti coolers. You’ll hear how simple choices like south-facing windows and carbon-capture concrete are redefining modern living—and why homes should lift your soul. Plus, discover why Toby believes future buyers won’t touch a house that isn’t energy efficient. If you've ever dreamed of a net-zero home that feels like a daily vacation, this is your episode.
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More About Toby Witte
Over a quarter century of experience in the world of design and construction comes to bear on Toby Witte’s internationally acclaimed work. German by heritage and upbringing, born in Peru, Toby has had the privilege to study and practice architecture, building science, drafting, and construction in Germany and in the USA.
Between various employment with architect, engineering, and construction firms, he graduated cum laude from the David R. Ravin School of Architecture at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte. He ran his previous design/build companies Dialect Design and Qube11 for over a decade until he founded Wittehaus in 2017.
Toby and Wittehaus have been honored with many awards, including the Medal & Henry Adams Certificate of Merit by The American Institute of Architects, the North Carolina Modernist Houses Matsumoto Prize, the Build Magazine’s Design & Build Award for “Most Innovative Architecture and Design Firm, North Carolina,” the Communicator Award of Distinction by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, the BLT award for Architectural Design, as well as the Architecture Masterprize.
Forbes Magazine featured Wittehaus on their list of America’s Top 200 Residential Architects. Among other publications, Toby’s homes have been featured by Dwell, Architectural Digest, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. His work has been showcased in exhibitions such as at the Lambla Gallery for the UNCC College of Architecture 50th Anniversary Symposium and Gala.
Toby is the distinguished author of Supersizing Bliss – How We Have Betrayed Our Homes and the Happiness We Seek, an award-winning book about how we have come to regard the houses we live in, and ideas and insights on their creation and the opportunity for lasting happiness. Following the success of his book, Toby has been a keynote speaker and frequent podcast guest, sharing his thoughts about the world of modern homes.
In the interest to share his expertise with the next generation of architects, Toby has been called back by his alma mater to occasionally help out as a guest lecturer and part-time adjunct professor.
To learn, grow, and contribute, Toby has also been active in the American Institute of Architects, the National Organization of Minority Architects, Brick & Wonder, EntreArchitect, and serves on the board of the Green Built Alliance.
When Toby parks his pencil he lets himself be sucked in by a vibrant family life centered around his wife, an early education teacher, their three powerhouse daughters, and four cats. He cooks, reads, travels, plays two chords on the guitar, and loves a good beer.
CONTACT:
https://www.witteha.us/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobywitte/
https://www.instagram.com/wittehaus/
https://www.facebook.com/wittehaus
https://www.youtube.com/@wittehaus
https://www.supersizingbliss.com/podcast
https://www.supersizingbliss.com/
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