David Sellers

AIA

 

David Sellers’ architectural journey began while working on commercial fishing boats in Alaska, serving as a ship’s engineer to finance his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University. This hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of battery systems, potable and wastewater systems, and generators. He later earned a master’s degree in architecture, Urbanism, and Building Science from the Technical University Delft in the Netherlands. After living abroad for a decade, David returned to the United States and joined The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, where he served as Operations Manager and Interim Director of the Palmyra Atoll program. In this role, he managed a world-renowned research station and led the Palmyra Renewable Energy Project, transitioning the station from diesel generators to a renewable microgrid—saving over one million dollars annually and freeing funds for conservation and research.

In 2015, David co-founded Hawaii Off-Grid Architecture & Engineering (HIOG) with architect Rick McGovern and civil engineer Jacob Freeman. Building on McGovern’s established practice, HIOG evolved into a pioneering architectural firm focused on sustainable and resilient design. As President of AIA Maui in 2024, David played a key role in Maui wildfire recovery efforts, partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and serving as a county-deputized safety assessor for damaged structures within the burn zone. He also leads the design of ‘Ohana Hope Village, a mid-term housing project providing relief for displaced Lahaina residents.

David serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Maui, where he champions innovative construction materials and methods. He has been a driving force behind introducing mass timber solutions to the Hawaiian Islands, incorporating this sustainable technology into new residential projects and other developments.