Danny Wicke, AIA

Danny Wicke, AIA

While studying at Auburn University, Wicke was steered toward Rural Studio, a small design-build program situated in the heart of the Black Belt, more than two hours from campus. Wicke considers his experience in the program, which serves Alabama’s communities in most need, as the most impactful and formative moment on his path to becoming an architect. Wicke was a member of a team that designed, constructed, and donated a Boys & Girls Club in Akron, Alabama. The project, which relied heavily on community input, serves 130 of the town’s children, a significant portion of its total population of just over 500.

As his graduation approached, Wicke was asked to remain at Rural Studio as an instructor and assistant director. In this role, Wicke traveled the world to speak about the program’s work and curated its involvement in a significant exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and a design and build pavilion for London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. He also taught students the foundations of writing, photography, editing, and professional collaboration.

Wicke helped shape the $20K House, a project that tackled the issue of affordable rural housing. Wicke built sensitive and compassionate houses that created equity for their owners instead of debt perpetuated by bad lending practices, poor construction, and mobile home purchases. Later, he joined Wheeler Kearns Architects (WKA), a Chicago-based firm that shares many of the same principles as Rural Studio, where he led projects from food pantries to 21st-century schools. The firm instilled a Robin Hood approach in Wicke, encouraging him to work on market-rate projects to support his ability to offer reduced-rate services for those who need them most.

The empathy and ethics Wicke cultivated during his time at Rural Studio and WKA continue to inform his work and his plans for Prospect Studio, which he co-founded in Wilson, Wyoming, last year with John Carney, FAIA, and Matt Thackray, AIA. Wicke spearheaded the development of the firm’s processes and systems to ensure it functions collaboratively and with high standards as it pursues a balance of private and public projects. Through his leadership, the practice grew to 18 staff members in its first year of operation.

A young architect who works tirelessly to improve both himself and the profession, Wicke cultivates meaningful relationships through design. His influence is certain to expand the people and communities architecture can serve.