Donald King FAIA

AIA Seattle Medal of Honor 2015
For 40+ years, Donald King FAIA has based a practice of architecture on the needs of underserved populations, empowering community organizations in project development to design facilities and housing that resonate with the end users’ cultural identity.  As a member of the Bellwether Housing Board of Directors, Donald assisted in the origination and design of the Northwest African American Museum.

College of Fellows, 2000
Making good on a youthful vow to improve the lives of those existing in the shadows of prosperity, Donald King FAIA (BFA Wayne State; MArch UCLA 1978) champions diversity, using culturally responsive architecture to empower both clients and users.
For more than twenty-five years, his practice has followed the central theme of service, with a history of volunteerism among Detroit inner-city youth, in rebuilding a smoldering Watts, and design work in Seattle for African-American, Hispanic-American, and several Asian-American groups.  He held the position of Principal Architect of Environmental Works/Community Design Center in Seattle before establishing his firm, Donald King Architecture/DKA (later Mimar Pacific), focusing on community-based projects including health care facilities, libraries, and affordable housing.

An extensive community service portfolio includes recent service on the Board of Directors of ETC (The Elevated Transportation Co., now known as the Seattle Monorail Project), the Search Committee for the City of Seattle DCLU Director, the Mayor's Small Business Task Force, Vice President of Tabor 100 (a grassroots organization designed to promote the economic, educational, and political advancement of African American businesses).  With AIA:  a founding member of the AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable and a member of the AIA Seattle Board of Directors, and service on the AIA national Scholarship Committee.

In offering his nomination to the AIA College of Fellows in 1999, sponsor David Wright FAIA noted, "Donald finds the time to participate in countless professional and civic boards and committees.  He has introduced architecture and planning to diverse peoples and then nurtured their ability to affect their own built environment.   [Donald's work offers] testimony to the tenacity and dedication of that young man who decided years ago that he would make a difference through architecture."

Note:  He served 2016-18 on the AIA national Board of Directors representing the AIA Northwest & Pacific Region, and has also served on the AIA National Strategic Council.

References:
*Donald King, UW Architecture Affiliate Professor (2018-)
*NOMA NW History (origins 2008)
*"AIA Featured Member:  Donald King FAIA"
*"Architect Donald King Determined to Build" (UW Foster Blog, 2012)
*"On the Brink" documentary film re gentrification of Seattle's Central District (2019)