How To Be a Blind Architect

99% Invisible talks with Chris Downey, an architect who lost his sight three years ago and who continues to work.

1 minute read

November 20, 2010, 1:00 PM PST

"'Beethoven continued to write music, even some of his best music, after he lost his hearing What's more preposterous, composing music you can't hear, or designing architecture you can't see?' Chris Downey had been an architect for 20 years before he lost his sight. It would be understandable to think that going blind would mean the end of his career, but that turned out not to be the case at all."

By using a computer that talks really fast to him, he can still create architectural plans. He talks about how his lack of sight has changed the way he designs and thinks about buildings.

FULL STORY: Episode 10- 99% Sound and Feel

Friday, November 19, 2010 in 99% Invisible

Architecture Social / Demographics World Design Blindness

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.