David Popiel

Thoughtful, curious, and a very, very good designer – this is how colleagues describe David Popiel. Deeply committed to design that connects people and place, he brings more than 17 years of experience to projects across Alaska. His work spans rural and urban developments throughout the state, shaped by an early career in construction that gave him a practical understanding of how spaces are built and experienced. 

David sees architecture as a way to understand how others live, work, and play – and to create environments that support those activities with clarity and purpose. His three-dimensional approach considers how each space will be experienced and how it will be perceived, from interior flow to exterior views and connections. David is a natural collaborator and an intuitive listener who excels at distilling the ideas that lead to elegantly functional solutions. 

David holds a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis. He sits on the board of Alaska Huts and is a regular volunteer at Aquarian Charter School, attended by his children. When he’s not working, David can be found mountain running, skiing, or enjoying Alaska’s rich outdoor traditions with his family.