Karen L. Braitmayer, FAIA
Studio Pacifica Ltd. Principal, Karen L. Braitmayer, FAIA, offers the unusual combination of personal experience as a lifelong wheelchair user with her professional expertise as a registered Architect. She has made accessibility consulting and design services her focus since 1990 and founded Studio Pacifica, Ltd. in 1993.
Ms. Braitmayer has worked with civic and private organizations committed to complying with federal laws and state codes and also creating spaces that work optimally for the unique needs of individual users. She has served on numerous boards and committees, supporting or representing people with disabilities and has won awards for her contributions.
Ms. Braitmayer continues to be a key resource for federal, state and local government officials, architects and disability rights advocates across the country. Since 1989 she has participated in the development of codes and standards to ensure that the State Accessibility Code reflects the needs of the citizens of Washington. She was an appointed member of the Washington State Building Code Council, representing persons with disabilities, from 1994 through 2001.
She has provided consulting on numerous community development projects, including community stadiums, museums, library, light rail development plans and improvement to our local airport. She has also been retained as an expert witness in cases involving compliance with federal regulations. She is a frequent and enthusiastic speaker to other professionals and the general public on the topics of accessibility, universal design and the art of turning your differences into your strengths.
Personally, Ms. Braitmayer has found that being a wheelchair user can be as exciting a life as one makes it! She loves boating, has sailed competitively, travels extensively, and juggles life as wife and mom to a busy daughter. As a professional, she takes her personal attitude that anything is possible, and indeed, with her it is, into her projects, speaking engagements and design consultations. As someone who does not let the perceived or physical limitations of the world slow her down, she is a wonderful and inspiring advocate for accessibility and the need for all people to be welcome participants in any activity, environment or experience that they wish to participate.
- Qualifications
- Registered Architect; Washington State, 1989
NCARB Certification, since 1989
ICC registered Accessibility Plans Examiner/Building Inspector
- Education
- University of Houston, Houston, Texas: Master of Architecture; 1985
Rice University, Houston, Texas: Bachelor of Arts, Behavioral Science; 1981 - Professional Affiliations and Memberships
- AIA/Seattle Chapter
Member (Associate in 1985, Member in 1989, elevated to Fellowship in 2004) Small Firm Roundtable, Founding member, 1995 to present Honors & Awards Committee, member 2004 — present, Chair, 2006-2008 Saturday Series, speaker, 1996, 1997 Membership committee, member 1999 - 2000 Diversity Committee, Summer Solstice Mini-Conference + Feast, June 2003, speaker
Association for Women in Architecture
Seattle — Member 1998-present, Vice-President 1989, co-author of annual Mock Design exam 1990-96
Access to Design Professions
"Building Careers in Design", mentor to vocational rehab professionals increasing their awareness of opportunities for people with disabilities in the design professions, 2003-present
International Network of Designers with Disabilities
Member, 2001- present
Washington State Building Code Council
Member appointed to represent persons with disabilities, 1994 — 2001
WSBCC Residential Technical Advisory Group
Chair, 1995-1997
WSBCC Barrier-Free Technical Advisory Group
Member, 1994-1995, Chair, 2002-present
Legislative Building Accessibility Advisory Committee
for WA State General Administration, 2002-2005
Governor's Committee for Disability Issues and Employment
Accessibility Awareness Subcommittee
Volunteer.
Sea-Tac International Airport
Member, Access Advisory panel
Easter Seal of WA Independent Living Program
Advisory Committee member
Safeco Field (Baseball Park)
Accessibility Advisory Committee member
Seahawks Stadium
Accessibility Advisory Committee member
Seattle Public Library, Downtown Library
Disabled Community Advocate and reviewer
Civic Center, City of Seattle Justice Center and City Hall
Accessibility Focus Group
DBTAC (Disability Business Technical Assistance Center)
Northwest Regional Advisory Committee, member, 2006 — present
WA State Department of Social and Health Services
Disability Initiative Advisory Committee, member, 2006 — present
Northwest Center (organization that support folks with developmental disabilities)
Board member, July 2001 to 2007, Vice-Chair 2002-2004.
WA State Arts Commission
Wallace Arts Participation Initiative
Review panelist representing persons with disabilities, 2002, 2005
DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking & Technology)
program at the University of Washington, mentor to college-bound high school students with disabilities, 1999 to present
Footloose Disabled Sailing
Board member 1990-1994, President 1993-1994
OI Foundation (Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation)
Regional Support Group Leader 1998-present; Advisory Committee member, 1996-1998; Volunteer of the Year committee, 2002-present - Awards and Publications
- Goodwill of Orange County 2005 Walter Knott Award, recognizing individuals "for their contributions and their fortitude to follow their dreams and champion the spirit of ability."
Thelma Clack Lifetime Volunteer Award, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, 2005.
DO-IT Trailblazer Award, DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking & Technology) program supporting college-bound high school students at the University of Washington, 2005. "DO-IT Trailblazer Award recipients are DO-IT community members who have forged new pathways that will benefit others. Through their ongoing work and accomplishments, award recipients have changed the way the world views people with disabilities and their potential to succeed in challenging careers and activities."
