Kurt Kohlstedt


Kurt Kohlstedt is an American writer, editor, and podcaster. He is the Digital Director of the design podcast 99% Invisible and co-author of the 2020 The New York Times Best Seller The 99% Invisible City. He previously founded a network of digital design-centered publications including WebUrbanist, WebEcoist, Dornob, and Gajitz.

Early life and education

Kohlstedt was born in Upstate New York and raised in Minnesota. He attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He later moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, graduating with a Master of Architecture degree in 2007. During his graduate studies, he focused on researching, writing, and teaching about the built environment, later noting that his strengths lay more in architectural analysis than professional practice.

Career

WebUrbanist and digital publishing

In 2007, Kohlstedt founded WebUrbanist, a digital publication dedicated to urban design, street art, and architecture. He served as the founder and editor-in-chief of a series of networked design sites that collectively reached over 100 million readers. Two of these were acquired by major media companies: WebEcoist by Evolve Media, and Dornob by Internet Brands.
His work from this period has been integrated into city planning research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and cited in peer-reviewed journals such as Societies and Sustainability. In 2012, Kohlstedt gave the keynote address at the annual Highlands and Islands Architects Association awards ceremony.

99% Invisible and audio production

In 2015, Kohlstedt joined the staff of 99% Invisible, a design podcast created by Roman Mars. As Digital Director, he manages the publication's online content; he also writes and produces both print stories and audio episodes for the program. His work has since also been featured in industry publications including ArchDaily and Fast Company.
In 2020, Kohlstedt co-authored The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design with Roman Mars. The book explores the histories of everyday urban designs. It debuted on The New York Times Best Seller list and received critical acclaim, including a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and a celebratory review from Booklist.

Adapt or Design

Kohlstedt is an advocate for assistive technology and universal design. Following a severe brachial plexus injury in 2024, which incapacitated his dominant arm, he launched "Adapt or Design", a spinoff project of 99% Invisible documenting everyday accessible design solutions. The project includes research into one-handed writing technologies, culminating in the development of a free custom single-handed keymap.

Live lectures, interviews, and shows

Kohlstedt has presented talks, participated in live performances, and given interviews on cities and architecture, with a particular emphasis on adaptive reuse and regional design strategies.