A fervent believer in the power of community and the potential of design, innovation, and entrepreneurship to unlock this power. I build teams, products, and places that reimagine existing typologies and systems to make cities more equitable, vibrant, and sustainable. I work with organizations and brands that share these values to help them innovate, scale, and maximize their impact in the world.

At WeWork, working with the Cofounder/Chief Creative Officer, I led concepting and development on new products/business lines for leveraging the company’s growing platform for social & environmental impact, including WeLive, the world’s first large-scale community-based (co)living brand. As Cofounder and Principal at ARExA, I use applied design research to advance new modes of living and working in an increasingly urbanizing world. As Creative Director at JPDA (now Circular), I led teams in retail, entertainment, branding, and interactive experience design for top-tier clients including Apple, Harley Davidson, O2 UK, and the fastest retail roll-out in American history for ethical clothing manufacturer American Apparel.

—

Some links…

CV / Work History on LinkedIn.

Current Projects (DBA) website coming soon…

More Projects (collabs) at ARExA
and earlier projects at JPDA (now Circular).

Teaching Work (Design Studio Student Projects) at
SVA – Material/Phenomenal &
Pratt – Engaged Material/Phenomenal Urbanism

Research & Advocacy
Edible Infrastructures – research into Computational Urbanism, Food Systems, & Resource Distribution in Cities

An Infrastructure for Restorative Justice – a framework for the built environment to promote justice & equity.

City of Yes – work with AIANY + NYC City Council to bring housing for all.

And find me as @dborowsk on twitter BlueSky & Instagram.

My approach to problem solving is shaped by systems thinking, biomimicry, and a deep trust in collaboration and process. Each project is seen as an opportunity for research through design and visa-versa, with an interest in our relationship with design and its effects on us and our behavior.

I teach design at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) and an advanced research studio at Pratt School of Architecture. I’ve lectured, taught, and served as guest critic at top schools of architecture and design, including The Architectural Association, Pratt, Parsons, UIUC, CCA, and Harvard GSD. I received my Master of Architecture with Distinction from the Architectural Association in London and my Bachelor’s in Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.