Karen’s passion is creating community spaces where people feel comfortable and empowered. As a former educator and adept facilitator, she brings out the best in people and collaborative solutions for integrated design. Her 20-plus years of design experience in Alaska have focused on a wide range of project types—from early childhood education facilities to public libraries and visitor centers.
The focus of Karen’s work is making the built environment healthy, equitable, and efficient. Currently, she’s exploring the ways that public facilities, such as libraries and schools, can become more flexible and responsive to the needs of a community. She’s also helping clients see the value of using existing building research and brain science to inform designs.
Karen approaches all her roles—architect, mother, project manager, daughter, friend, mentor, community advisor—with commitment, hard work, and compassion.