David Iannuzzi
Principal and Founding Partner AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
David is a founding partner at Disbrow Iannuzzi, and his architectural work spans across the country. Over the past two decades, he has led the design of custom residences, cultural institutions, and adaptive reuse projects that prioritize craft, climate, and context.
His portfolio encompasses a range of projects, from ground-up homes and arts-based venues to small-scale commercial spaces that foster community growth and local entrepreneurship.
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University of Michigan, Master of Architecture
Lawrence Technological University, BS in Architecture -
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2025
Detroit Design Awards — Winner Best Vacation Home
Baw Beese HouseForbes — America’s Top 200 Residential Architects
2023
BUILD Magazine — Best Commercial Architect DetroitAIA Detroit — Building Award
Briarcliff ResidenceAIA Michigan — Interiors Award
L.A. Dance ProjectAIA Michigan — Housing Award
Briarcliff ResidenceShow LTU COAD — Alumni Works Show
2022
AIA Michigan — Building Award
5000 Grand RiverLuxe RED Awards — Readers’ Choice
Briarcliff ResidenceDetroit Design Awards — Best Overall Home
Briarcliff ResidenceDetroit Design Awards — Best Contemporary Architecture
Briarcliff Residence2021
AIA Detroit — Building Award
5000 Grand RiverDetroit Design Awards — Best Retail Interiors
Pleasantrees
Background & Education
David’s love for construction processes and detail began when he worked as a metalsmith in Los Angeles, fabricating bespoke furniture and objects that have been exhibited at the Milwaukee Art Museum, ICFF, and the Tokyo Designers Block. This hands-on background continued to shape his architectural thinking while he went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan.
In 2000, David worked with several small to mid-sized firms renowned for their residential and hospitality design. This continued until 2018, when he founded his own practice in Detroit, focusing on residential projects and adaptive reuse projects throughout Michigan. In 2024, he co-founded Disbrow Iannuzzi with Jonathan Disbrow.
David’s work has been honored with multiple AIA awards and widely published for its balance of precision and humanity. His approach is grounded in the belief that architecture should respond to people, place, and climate, shaped not by a style, but by the unique context of each project. As a LEED Accredited Professional, he brings a clear-eyed commitment to sustainability, helping clients make design choices that prioritize long-term environmental impact.
His portfolio is varied and typographically diverse. It includes standout projects such as the Briarcliff Residence, a fully self-directed home that marked a turning point in his career; the L.A. Dance Project, a public arts space in Los Angeles that continues to thrive as a creative hub; and multiple small-scale commercial interiors across Detroit, including Spot Lite and Queens Bar, that have helped reshape the city’s cultural landscape.
Teaching & Mentorship
In addition to his professional work, David is a committed mentor and design educator. He has served as a guest critic at the University of Michigan, SCI-Arc, Lawrence Technological University, and the University of Detroit Mercy, supporting the next generation of architects through critique and conversation.
Looking Ahead
David’s current interests lie in designing well-performing homes that last, as well as public-facing spaces that foster community. Whether crafting a new residence or transforming a long-vacant building, his work is rooted in a belief that architecture should enrich daily life and reflect the values of the people it serves.
Projects
