David GrahaM, FAIA, LEED AP

A founding Principal of ESG, David is a national leader in the design, development and planning of mixed-use, residential and commercial buildings. David received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Minnesota and his Master of Architecture from Harvard University where he focused on urban mixed use design and city building.

David and ESG continue to lead the local and national revitalization of U.S. cities through the design of a new generation of innovative mid- and high-rise residential mixed-use buildings that add density, vitality and sustainability to urban centers.

David’s commitment to the built environment is based on an enduring set of urban-design principles: pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, creative mixed-use density, sensitivity to extant buildings and historical context, and access to public transportation. David engages interdisciplinary teams, and multiple often-competing stakeholders, to reach consensus on key issues necessary for the project’s success. His award-winning results spark further development and renewal. They also create civic pride.

David’s decades of leadership and expertise in urban design inform decision-making for each unique situation. The appropriate response may be a signature residential high-rise that benchmarks future development while invigorating the neighborhood’s traditional sense of place. Or, on former industrial sites, David has inserted mixed-used structures on urban infill lots to add value and amenities to a neighborhood in renaissance. Bridging the gaps between architecture and urban design, David has master planned areas of the Twin Cities to transform historic, culturally significant, but underused districts into vibrant urban destinations.

A networker with established ties to real-estate developers, David utilizes such connections in envisioning the contemporary livable city. A placemaker dedicated to collaborative planning processes, David balances complex, often contradictory needs to ensure urban renewal. A member of the Congress for New Urbanism, David balances his practice with education by teaching design studios and seminars and lecturing around the country.

<< Back