Spotlight On: David Dewees, NCIDQ, Associate AIA
Mez Joseph
A native Charlestonian and Liollio team member for over four years, David Dewees brings an extensive background in design, fine art and construction to Liollio. Before returning to school to earn two undergraduate degrees from Auburn University, he worked several years in construction in the Greater Birmingham, Alabama area. David traveled to Istanbul, Turkey on scholarship from Auburn. David contributes at all project levels, from schematic design to construction documentation. We recently sat down for a Q&A with David, after he received his NCIDQ Certification, the national standard certification for professional interior designers.
How long have you lived in Charleston?
4 years (8 if you count the first 4 years of my life)
Where did you grow up?
Everywhere. My father was in the military, so we moved every three or 4 years.
What area of town do you live in?
Mount Pleasant
Are you married?
Yes
Do you have children?
We have one on the way.
What is the hardest part about being a mom/dad?
So far, the hardest part is the anticipation.
What is the greatest part about being a mom/dad?
I don’t know yet, let’s come back to this in April.
What is your favorite thing(s) in your house?
My watch collection and my antique drafting table.
What are the top three things you like to do in your free time?
Ahh, I get it, that is a joke right? What is free time?
Do you have any pets? If so, tell us a bit about them.
We have a puppy named Kuzu (it means lamb in Turkish) She is a head strong Aussie-Doodle.
What’s your ethnic background?
Dutch on my father’s side and Scottish on my Mother’s.
Do you have any brothers/sisters?
An older sister and a younger brother.
If so, where do you fall in the “line-up”?
I am a middle child.
What building have you visited that most impressed you?
Actually the spaces between inspire me more than buildings themselves.
What architect or architecture firm most inspires you?
This is constantly changing for me, every time I go to the Archdaily web site I see something new that inspires me. To lock myself into one single Architect or architecture firm, when there is so much good work out there would be a shame.
What architect or architecture firm most influenced you as a student?
Renzo Piano, Kisho Kurokawa, Tadao Ando, Marcel Breuer, Buckminster Fuller, Achille Castiglioni, Eero Saarinen, Philip Johnson, etc., etc.
What is your favorite country you have traveled to and why?
Turkey, particularly Istanbul. The city has an energy that you can only understand from being there and well, the people are great.
What is your favorite thing about working at Liollio?
People
What inspires you most?
Travel
What is the hardest part about your job?
Time. There never seems to be enough time.
What style of architecture most impresses you or is your favorite?
I don’t feel like I prescribe to any one particular style.
How would you describe your style as an architect/designer?
Meaningful
What book do you plan to read?
I am currently reading Notes From the Internet Apocalypse, by Wayne Gladstone. Nothing on my radar to read after this, but I am always open to suggestions.
What is your favorite book?
I really liked Grendel by John Gardner. It retells the epic of Beowulf from the point of the antagonist. It is a good reminder that all stories have more than one side to them.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Indaco, but with the ever changing restaurant scene here in the Holy City, it could change tomorrow.
What’s your favorite place in Charleston?
I am a big fan of my island (Dewees Island).
What do you like on your pizza?
Veggies
What is your favorite food?
I cannot claim one favorite food, it really depends on my mood.
What is your least favorite food?
Ochre. I just don’t trust a food that is so confused about its identity, I mean, food is not supposed to have that many textures: crunchy, soggy stringy and furry. Not to mention they attract stink bugs (shield bugs for the northerners reading this) to your garden.
Dogs or cats?
Allergic to cats.
If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
Narwhals, Narwhals swimming in the ocean; Causing a commotion; because they are so awesome…
Do you play any instruments?
Not well enough to say yes.
If you could play an instrument, what would it be?
I would love to learn to play the violin. it is my favorite instrument.
What are the top three things you like to do in your free time?
Now you are just being mean.
What song is at the top of your most played list (be honest)?
Flashed Junk Mind by Milky Chance
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Oh it really depends on my mood.
Who is your favorite artist?
Monet, Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, Morisot, Seurat.. really any of the impressionists.
What’s your favorite movie?
Tomorrowland
Favorite television show?
Huge fan of Cowboy Bebop, but if you are looking for a newer series, I do sort of manage to keep up with The Walking Dead somehow.
What would the book or movie about your life be called?
A Lifetime of Lives
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
A younger George Clooney would be a good pick, but I have been told Eric Dane is a better likeness.
If your life was a song, what would the title be?
Ode to Dave
What’s your astrological sign?
Didn’t NASA announce recently that this had been updated? I was a Capricorn.. now I am a Sagittarius. It has got to be tough for people who put real stock in astrology.
Last movie you watched?
Storks
Guilty pleasure?
Cigars and Scotch (unpeated)
What is the proudest moment of your life, thus far?
This is a tough one, because I am pretty hard on myself. I try not to dwell or get stuck on any one moment in life. I am proud of my accomplishments; each one sends me headed toward the next and keeps me going.
Tell us something about yourself that you haven’t shred with many people, or we may not know.
I am currently writing a novel.