David Malott Email & Phone Number

Growing up in India, Japan, and America as the son of a U.S. diplomat and Japanese mother, I was surrounded by vastly different cultures and architectural styles. But one constant amidst all that change was the sky—the stars above, shared by every place I lived. These early memories sparked my lifelong passion for both architecture and space.Over the course of 25 years, I pushed the boundaries of skyscraper design, blending technical innovation with creative problem-solving. As a Design Principal at Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), I led landmark projects like the Shanghai World Financial Center and the Ping An Finance Center in Shenzhen. I was fortunate to reach a leadership role early in my career, and it was during the design of Ping An that I had a turning point. Watching SpaceX land a Falcon 9 on a drone barge, I realized that while I loved the technical challenges of tall buildings, my life's mission would be to help humanity build beyond Earth.I left KPF to found SpaceFactory, where we focus on developing the technologies needed to construct buildings and infrastructure on the Moon and Mars. SpaceFactory has made an impact as a small yet effective leader in space-based construction, recognized for winning NASA’s 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge. While my focus expanded to space, I haven't lost my connection to Earth. My work at Planetworks Architecture, where we apply the same rigorous, practical design principles to complex urban projects, keeps me well grounded.The real excitement comes from the synergy between the two fields. By bringing together SpaceFactory’s engineers and Planetworks’ architects, we are able to push the boundaries of both space and terrestrial architecture. Our collaborative approach allows us to tackle some of the toughest challenges in both arenas, always with the goal of merging technology and design in innovative ways.At both SpaceFactory and Planetworks, I work hard to create a culture of humility, initiative, and collaboration. Rigid hierarchies stand in the way of innovation; instead, we value everyone’s contributions and encourage ownership of projects. I see my role as a guide, stepping in where needed—whether that’s software development, 3D modeling, or strategic direction. I’m incredibly proud of what our small but driven team has achieved, and I’m energized by what’s ahead as we push toward a lunar surface mission: to build where no one has built before.

Listed skills include Architectural Design, Design Research, Sustainable Design, Mixed Use, and 23 others.

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  Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

  Architecture