Barbara Knecht

Director of Design
617-695-1225
bknecht@HumanCenteredDesign.org

Barbara Knecht, R.A. is IHCD's Director of Design. She discovered the Institute for Human Centered Design when she interviewed Valerie Fletcher, IHCD's Executive Director, in the Fall of 2003 for an article, Accessibility Regulations and a Universal Design Philosophy inspire the Design Process, published in the January ’04 Architectural Record.

Not surprisingly, her undergraduate education at UC Berkeley in the early 70’s was infused with social conscience. Her first job was working with Professor Ray Lifchez on several research projects for a book devoted to equitable design entitled Design for Independent Living (Lifchez and Winslow, 1976). That foundation infused all of her subsequent work with a human centered design perspective.

After receiving her architectural degree at Columbia University, she had a thrilling ride working in several positions in New York City government. She managed complex multi-agency projects including the development of thousands of units of housing for homeless families and adults. For the past fifteen years, she has consulted with not for profit agencies on housing and community development. She has been a contributing writer for magazines and books on architectural technology, public environments, and policy.

A post graduate Kinne Travel Fellowship from Columbia University allowed Barbara to indulge a desire for an international perspective on urban environments which she continues today by co-directing an international study abroad program for university students. A Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University granted the privilege of a mid-career break with the run of the entire university.  She hopes she does some good by serving on the Metropolitan Life/Enterprise Foundation Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing, the Board of Directors of Care for the Homeless, and the Streetscape committee of the Municipal Art Society.