"Outsights in Architecture: Design Across the Visual Divide"

Chris Downey is an architect, planner and consultant who, after 20 years of architectural practice, unexpectedly and instantly lost all his sight in 2008. Even through trials, Downey never considered giving up his practice, and instead used his new perspective as a way to create a more multi-sensory immersive approach to architecture. As a blind architect, he now specializes in projects that are specific or challenging for people who are blind or visually impaired, as well as focuses on projects that are grounded in universal design.

Downey has gained insights since losing his sight, or "outsights" as he likes to call them. He celebrates the new ways to understand, design and appreciate architecture that he's able to discover being blind. He actually has found a greater passion and desire for his work in architecture than ever before.

He has been working with the SmithGroupJJR to build a blind rehabilitation center for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Palo Alto, California. Other works include the new Transbay Transit Center in San Francisco with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, as well as ophthalmological clinics including the Duke University Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina, with HOK Architects.

Downey also has consulted on several transportation projects in the San Francisco Bay area and has helped on renovations for Associated Blind Housing in New York City. He also has consulted on the accessibility of the content in exhibits for blind visitors for a new museum in Boston.

More recently, Downey has completed his first commission as the lead architect and designer for the new offices for the San Francisco Independent Living Resource Center. He is working with Mark Cavagnero Associates Architects on the design of the new headquarters for the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco.

Aside from his many work ventures, Downey teaches accessibility and Universal Design at the University of California, Berkeley. In 2013, he accepted a gubernatorial appointment to the California Commission on Disability Access. Downey is active in his local and disability community and is the vice president of the board of directors for the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco.

As one of the few practicing architects in the world who is blind, Downey speaks regularly on the topic and has been featured in numerous media stories. He also has delivered three TED talks.

Downey will present a lecture titled "Outsights in Architecture: Design Across the Visual Divide" at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 8 in Ken and Linda Sue Shollmier Hall, Room 250 of Vol Walker Hall, on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, as part of the Fay Jones School of Architecture lecture series.