Chris Downey

Architect

Architecture for the Blind

In 2008, when Chris Downey lost his sight, the last thing he had on his mind was to give up his career as an architect. Instead, he reinvented the ways architects work to become the first successful blind architect. Today, he uses his skills and expertise to develop environments for the blind and visually impaired to thrive in, just like he did. Downey was able to use his disability and his resolve to make the life for other disabled men and women much easier. We are very excited to have him for TEDxUChicago!

Christopher Downey, RA, is an architect, planner and consultant who lost his sight in 2008.Today, he is dedicated to creating more helpful and enriching environments for the blind and visually impaired.

Chris earned a bachelor of environmental design in architecture from North Carolina State University and masters of architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. His 20-year career has encompassed a broad range of award-winning projects from custom residences to Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, MN, and the MIT’s Rotch Architectural Library. He is currently consulting with the SmithGroup in association with The Design Partnership on the design of the Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center for the Veterans Administration Palo Alto Health Care System. He is a registered architect in California.