In Episode 35 of What the RFI?, host Matt Brennan sat down live at AIA Aspire 2025 in Asheville, NC with architect Toby Witte of Wittehaus. Known for designing striking, modern, energy-efficient homes across the Carolinas, Toby brought his signature passion for detail, sustainability, and storytelling to the conversation.
“Good design improves our lives and brings joy.”
— Toby Witte
From his early years in Hamburg, Germany, to his decades shaping homes in the U.S., Toby’s journey highlights how attention to detail transforms more than just buildings — it transforms lives.
The Journey into Architecture
Toby’s story began in Germany, where he trained as a draftsman and worked with major engineering and construction firms before relocating to the United States. After studying architecture at UNCC in Charlotte, he and his family put down roots in the Carolinas. Over time, Wittehaus emerged as a firm dedicated to designing modern, sustainable homes that balance functionality, beauty, and livability.
For Toby, the pull of architecture has always been about more than drawings: it’s about improving daily life. His early exposure to construction sites, engineering, and design provided him with a holistic understanding of how details bring projects to life.
It’s in the Details
Details are more than technical decisions — they’re the soul of a project. Whether it’s a steel-and-wood column connection, the way a railing frames a view, or how light and shadow shape a room, Toby emphasizes that craftsmanship and thoughtfulness are what make a house feel special.
Each project is treated as a prototype:
• Designed around a client’s life and passions.
• Responsive to site conditions like sun, wind, and views.
• Executed with care to ensure every connection and material choice enhances the space.
As Toby puts it:
“When we can tell that there was a loving eye and a caring hand behind it, we recognize it — and it improves our lives.”
Trust, Clients, and Storytelling
Collaboration is central to Toby’s process. He and his team at Wittehaus involve clients from the earliest sketches through construction and move-in. That trust builds confidence, allowing clients to embrace bold design choices — even details that might seem odd on paper but feel transformative once built.
One memorable project revolved around a baby grand piano. The client’s passion for music inspired the entire house design, with a central space acoustically tailored for both private practice and public performance. The piano became the “heart of the home,” showing how personal stories can shape architecture in meaningful ways.
“We want each design to feel as if it came out of our clients, as if they could have designed it themselves.”
Craftsmanship and Construction
Building details require more than drawings — it requires builders who care. Toby spoke about the importance of selecting the right contractors: not the lowest bidder, but someone clients can trust through the ups and downs of construction.
Hands-on collaboration is key:
Weekly site visits with sharpies in hand to resolve details.
Conversations with subcontractors to incorporate their expertise.
Builders who are proud enough of their work to bring their families to see it.
This spirit of collaboration ensures details aren’t lost in translation from design to construction.
Healthy Homes and Sustainability
The conversation also explored healthy living environments and sustainable building practices. For Toby, sustainability isn’t complicated — it’s about doing the basics well:
Design with the sun: orient homes for passive heating and cooling.
Continuous insulation & air barriers: like wrapping the house in a Yeti cooler.
Thoughtful materials: locally sourced, durable, and low-energy in production.
Solar energy: affordable, efficient, and now profitable — turning homes into self-sufficient power plants.
Beyond energy savings, healthy homes improve daily life: better air quality, safer environments, and houses built to last generations.
“Simply design and build it right. Stop building crappy things. It’s not that difficult.”
Looking Ahead
As the episode wrapped, it was clear there’s more to explore with Toby — especially around prefab and modular approaches, as well as the insights from his book Supersizing Bliss.
Matt and Toby promised a Part Two, diving even deeper into sustainable design, modular construction, and the philosophy of building homes that tell stories.
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 From Vision to Detail: Toby Witte on Modern Architecture is now streaming on all major platforms.
👉 Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
🔑 Key Takeaways
Good design improves lives and brings joy.
Each project is a prototype tailored to the client.
Attention to detail defines the architectural experience.
Trust and collaboration are central to success.
Healthy homes create long-term well-being.
Sustainability can be achieved through simple, thoughtful choices.
Solar energy makes homes self-sufficient and profitable.
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