Inclusive Design Portfolio by Karen Kim

KAREN KIM

INCLUSIVE DESIGN P ORTFOLIO 2023

Copyright © Karen Kim, 2023

Peer-Reviewed Publications

My publications can be found at the link: https://buffalo.academia.edu/karenkim.

1. Accepted with minor revisions: Kim, K., Steinfeld, E., & Weidemann, S. (February, 2023). The Effects of Interactive Stairways on User Behavior and Safety. Architectural Science Review.

2. Co-editor (Mar 15, 2021 Online, April 2021 Print). "Robert Nichols: Let's Increase Opportunities for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Architects and Designers.”ARCHITECT Magazine.

3. Co-editor (Dec 2020). World Deaf Architecture News: “Does the ADA Work Effectively for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals in Public Accommodations and Transportation Facilities?”

4. Kim, K., & Steinfeld, E. (2019). The effects of glass stairways on stair users: An observational study of stairway safety. Safety Science, 113, 30-36.

5. Kim, K., & Steinfeld, E. (2016). An Evaluation of Stairway Designs Featured in Architectural Record Between 2000 and 2012. Archnet-IJAR, International Journal of Architectural Research, 10(1), 96-112.

6. Kim, K. (2016). Wayfinding Design for Amherst Senior Center. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics Series, 229, 624-626.

7. Lenker, J., Levine, D., Kim, K., & Weidemann, S. (2015). A Multidisciplinary Survey of Home Modification Professionals: A Snapshot on the State of Practice. Conference paper. Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Conference, Denver, CO.

8. Kim, K., & Steinfeld, E. (2014). The Effects of Interactive Stairways on User Behavior and Safety. Assistive Technology Research Series, 35, 157-166.

9. Kim, K. (2013). Contemporary Practices in Stairway Design: Behavior of Stair Users in Public Buildings (Master’s Thesis). University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States.

ACCESSIBILE AND INCLUSIVE DESIGN REVIEW

Inclusive Design Services in Capital Planning

Lead the implementation of inclusive design services in the accessibility program for the Massachusetts Office of Planning. Responsibilities include review work plans and designer selection board ads, draft statement of works (SOWs), bid evaluation, organize workshops and resources, and review invoice. Here are some of the projects I’ve worked on recently with a total project cost range between $3 and $28 million.

Accessibility Expert

Experienced accessibility inspector with over 60 on-site audits completed, Notable projects/clients include: Wagner College, The Carlyle Hotel, CBRE, L+M Development Partners, Monadnock Construction, and The Related Companies.

In connection with my Master’s Thesis research on stairway safety, I have provided retained expert report on behalf of the council representative of a plaintiff who sustained an injury from falling down stairs at an Apple Store in New York.

Burnell Hall Renovation

North Shore Community College Science Labs Upgrades

Massachusetts Maritime AcademyScience, Technology & Engineering New/Renovated Laboratories

John W. McCormack Building

State Transportation Building and MITC - Renovation and Modernization

Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) Athletic Center Building

TECHNICAL WORK

Bathroom with Mobility Features Hotel Entrance Lift

Proficient in developing compliance plans, accessibility reports and technical drawings.

CAD Design for Artist’s permanent art installations

USER INTERFACE DESIGN

Electronic Tracking Log

The purpose of this study was to create a user interface (UI) based on the needs of the CHCB Dental Clinic. The American Dental Association (ADA) workflow process was analyzed for operational efficiency and patient satisfaction in terms of getting an appointment within the expected wait time and approval of dental services. An Electronic Tracking Log was designed to reduce uncertainty from missing data of the existing paper-based method. Each column of e-Tracking Log must be filled out electronically. These recommendations would potentially: help in generating additional $16,000 to $18,0000 a month; reducing the time needed to complete ADA process; help to schedule an appointment within expected wait time. One finding is that the workflow process may benefit by converting from traditional paper-based methods to electronic-based methods to document, track, and manage the flow of information.

GIS Data Correction Software - Lead presenter at Inter-University Workshop 2017

Summary

The increase in volume of data and popularity of Internet of Things has introduced new challenges in data management. Obtaining reliable data from resource constrained environments has led to research in probabilistic databases. Mimir is one such database that works on uncertain and unreliable data. This project explores the interface design of a GIS data software that validates GIS data. The project describes a data collection of user requirements and prototyping plans for the design of a prototype interface. The members of the Mimir Project are representatives of the users of the system and form an integral part of our design process.

Correction Software: MIMIR

Mitra, Billy He, and Leurys Mesa

Requirements Gathering Plan

One goal of the requirements gathering plan is to gain information about the product itself and what the user group, consisting of data analysts, expects and anticipates it to do. Therefore, data collection will occur in two phases: 1) Primary Research phase will consist of focus group discussions and questionnaires to gain product insights and design requirements., and 2) Secondary Research phase will consist of a scan of the research literature and community internet forums towards the same goal. The project will combine insights from the two phases to give us guidelines for the design process.

Fall 2017 | Team members: Billy He, Alex Jung, Karen Kim, Leurys Mesa, Gourab Mitra, Tyler Sunderville

Requirements Gathering Plan Workflow

One goal of the requirements gathering plan is to gain information about the product itself and what the user group, consisting of data analysts, expects and anticipates it to do. Therefore, data collection will occur in two phases: 1)

Plan

gain user group, anticipates it to do.

popularity of Internet of in data management. constrained probabilistic databases. on uncertain and the interface design of data. The project requirements and prototype interface. The representatives of the integral part of our design and Plan which works on uncertain of uncertainty is

insights and community project will guidelines

Accuracy of commercial 30% - 80% addresses match to a geolocation estimate the accuracy of text addresses is by sample. A human judge is free-text addresses judge then tags the When they are being provides them an opportunity percentage of the random sample is quality of geocoding in to create a user validation of the quality of efficient analysis and

Primary Research phase will consist of focus group discussions and questionnaires to gain product insights and design requirements., and 2) Secondary Research phase will consist of a scan of the research literature and community internet forums towards the same goal. The project will combine insights from the two phases to give us guidelines for the design process.

Opportunities

current UI is lacking features had pointed out development and was a the focus group features that would

available

Data Collected and Analyzed

The job of data analysts include the following requirements: - Need to locate addresses and perform validation tasks.

Need to identify a random sample of text addresses

- Focus Group Analysis: The current UI is lacking features that would help make the job of the analysts easier. During demonstration, the participant had pointed out some features that required more development and was a hindrance to task completion. Based on the focus group results (Table 2), we identified salient features that would make searching for geolocations easier for the user.

Salient features:

Drop down menus, Order function, Range of data available

Manual correction of geolocation data will enable community clean of publicly available datasets on websites such as

Current System

Inclusive Design Portfolio | Karen Kim

Wayfinding Design

Lead of design, development and implementation of universal design wayfinding system for seniors, staff members, and visitors at a senior care facility (53,000 sq ft) located in Amherst, New York. Installed April 2017.

Universal Design Graphic Standards

Part of the Universal Design Standards team that produced graphics for thisisUD.com.

DESIGN RESEARCH

Master’s Thesis on Stairway Safety (2014)

Safety is a top priority for building users and should be a primary goal for architects when designing public buildings. Stairway falls continue to be one of the main causes of injuries in buildings, and while research has shown that these incidents are often related to the architectural design of stairways, stair safety remains difficult in practice. This is because knowledge of stairway design and the effectiveness of stair safety standards has been limited or within the profession of architecture. As a result, architects are experimenting with innovative designs that may increase the risk of tripping, slipping and falling on stairs. Steps to closing this knowledge gap and improving stair safety include assessments of design practices, identification of potential risks, and education on applying inclusive design thinking to stairways.

This thesis examined contemporary practices in stairway design and their effects on the behavior of stair users. A review of the professional literature identified innovative stairway design features related to stair safety. Two potentially hazardous features were identified for assessment in the real world: glass stair treads and interactive sound. Observations of stair use were collected at five different stairways in public buildings. The chosen design features were present in three of these stairways, and the other two stairways were constructed in a conventional manner. The incidence of unsafe stair use and key behaviors on the stairways were documented and compared.

The results showed that the glass stairway had incidents at a far higher rate than the conventional stairway. The rate of incidents in the interactive stairways was virtually the same to those in the conventional stairways. The findings suggest that research attention should be given to glass stair treads. Interactive sound needs to be studied in more depth to determine if the perception of hazardous conditions leads to more caution or if the sound features cause people to pay more attention and avoid hazardous behaviour. The research also demonstrates that more assessments of stairway designs in use can help identify best practices and additional gaps in knowledge for the design of stairways.

This thesis provides architects and researchers insights into identifying stairway design hazards and evaluating their effects on stair users. While there are many other issues in the design of stairways that require research attention, this research provides a method to complete further field assessments and offers suggestions for future work on stair safety.

Thesis Committee: Edward Steinfeld & Sue Weidemann

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Living Learning Quarter

Design Goals:

• Improve wayfinding: A landmark tower, located at the south-east corner of the site, is most visible to students as they approach from the Student Union and Putnam Way.

• Increase academic interaction: The tower provides large open spaces for student-faculty programs such as “Cooking classes with your professor.”

• Promote healthy and sustainable lifestyles: The ground floor provides areas for healthy eating and storing bicycles.

A key aspect of the UB 2020 master plan is the housing development along Lee Road that leads to the heart of the campus. The living learning quarter acts as a bridge between on-campus housing and academic facilities. The building used the full length of the site to maximize the use of the “bridge,” as well as to maximize natural light.