Dr. Danielle McCleave is a talented architectural designer and artist hailing from South Florida. With a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and minor in Italian, specializing in sculpture and painting from Belmont University, and a Doctorate in architecture from the University of Hawaii, Danielle has a diverse educational background that fuels her creative pursuits.
Throughout her career, Danielle has worked for various architectural and interior design firms, showcasing her expertise in creating stunning and functional spaces. Additionally, she has maintained her artistic practice, allowing her to infuse her designs with a unique artistic flair. Danielle’s passion for teaching led her to spend time abroad as a teacher in Milan, Italy, sharing her knowledge and inspiring young students.
As an accomplished professional, Danielle has achieved significant milestones. She proudly holds the distinction of being the first Black woman to graduate with a DArch from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her thesis on housing, titled “Redesigning the Hood: Using Culturally Aware Wellness as a Tool to Inform Architectural Design,” earned her the prestigious Hawaiʻi Architectural Foundation award.
Driven by her personal values and philosophy, Danielle is a strong advocate for equitable housing and design. She firmly believes that beautiful design should be accessible to all, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. Her work focuses on incorporating mental and physical wellness into architectural design, ensuring spaces that promote the well-being of their occupants.