What Studio Pacifica does

Studio Pacifica is a Seattle-based accessibility consulting firm founded in 1993 by Karen L. Braitmayer, FAIA. The firm provides professional accessibility consulting services to architectural design teams, developers, civic planners, educators, and other built environment professionals across the Pacific Northwest. Its core offering is a multi-phase accessibility consulting practice that spans pre-design community collaboration, design development (drawing review, RFIs, on-call consulting), on-site construction observation, and existing facility assessments — covering ADA, FHA, and building code compliance. The firm differentiates through first-person disability experience: multiple team members are wheelchair users or have visual impairments, bringing lived experience to consulting engagements alongside formal architectural credentials.

The firm operates three interconnected service lines: Accessibility Consulting Services (the core practice), Education for Inclusion (AIA-accredited continuing education, trainings, and keynote speeches), and Expert Witness Consulting (ADA compliance opinions for legal proceedings). Studio Pacifica is a 100% woman and disability owned business with approximately 9 employees, including 7 named accessibility specialists and project managers. The client roster includes Amazon, Microsoft, Nike, Starbucks, REI, the Gates Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, the Space Needle, and Moxy (Marriott), spanning civic, commercial, education, hospitality, retail, medical, and multi-family residential segments.

Revenue is generated through project-based professional services engagements with quote-based pricing. The firm has no public filings, no disclosed funding, and no institutional investors. Growth is driven primarily by founder-led client relationships, speaking engagements, and earned media coverage. The firm's strategic positioning rests on regulatory expertise (founder's U.S. Access Board tenure, 2010-2023), brand recognition (AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award 2019, AIA Seattle Gold Medal 2025), and a specialized talent pool that is difficult to replicate.

Name

Studio Pacifica

Legal name

Studio Pacifica

Website

https://studiopacificaseattle.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Studio Pacifica is a Seattle-based accessibility consulting firm founded in 1993 that provides ADA, FHA, and building code compliance services to architectural firms, developers, and civic planners across the Pacific Northwest, distinguished by first-person disability experience on its team.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accessibility Consulting

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes) (EDAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Accessibility consulting
• Universal design
• ADA compliance consulting
• Built environment consulting
• Inclusive design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Accessibility Consulting Services: Project-based professional consulting services for architectural design teams, developers, civic planners, and other built environment professionals. Services include pre-design collaboration, design development consulting, drawing and document review for code compliance, on-site construction observation, and accessibility assessments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Studio Pacifica is an accessibility consulting firm that provides universal design, ADA compliance, and inclusive design review services to architects, developers, civic planners, and educators. The firm supports projects across pre-design, design development, and construction observation phases, advising on regulatory compliance, accessibility best practices, and the inclusive design of built environments.

Product overview

Studio Pacifica is a single, unified consulting practice offering three interconnected service lines: Accessibility Consulting Services (covering pre-design, design development, and on-site review phases), Education for Inclusion (AIA-accredited CEUs, trainings, and keynote speeches), and Expert Witness Consulting for ADA-related legal matters. These services work together to provide holistic accessibility solutions for architectural and construction projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accessibility Consulting End-to-end accessibility and universal design consulting service for architects, developers, civic planners, and educators, covering pre-design, design development, and construction observation. The service addresses ADA, FHA, and ANSI 117.1 compliance across civic, commercial, education, hospitality/retail, medical, and multi-family residential projects.
• Education for Inclusion Educational programming and training for educators and built-environment professionals on accessibility, inclusion, and universal design principles. Designed for schools, universities, and design firms seeking to build internal accessibility awareness.
• Expert Witness Consulting Specialist expert witness services for legal matters involving accessibility, ADA, FHA, and built-environment compliance. Provided to attorneys and parties involved in accessibility-related litigation or disputes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of unit reviews and hundreds of residential drawing set reviews completed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• The Center for Wooden BoatsminorOthersStudio Pacifica provides pro bono advice on new gangways, the Wagner Education Center, and other accessibility 'tweaks' that keep the CWB accessible to people of all abilities and ages. The Center runs sailing programs dedicated to getting people who wouldn't normally have access to sailing out on the water.
• Seize the Oar FoundationminorOthersMembers of the Studio Pacifica team provide financial support to this para-rowing team. The firm hopes to provide pro bono services for a new boathouse on Lake Union that will accommodate para-rowing activities.
• Sound Theatre CompanyminorOthersStudio Pacifica supports the company's social justice mission and believes in the importance of inclusion in the performing arts. The company has a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
• DO-IT Scholars Program, University of WashingtonminorOthersDO-IT Scholars helps high school students with disabilities learn about college opportunities and college students with disabilities learn about careers. Karen Braitmayer has been an active mentor with the program, and staff member Andrea Kovich was a participant. The firm's annual company donation goes to DO-IT.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Perkins&Will: Large global AEC firm with an established accessibility practice serving institutional, healthcare, and civic clients. Overlaps with Studio Pacifica on major civic and healthcare projects, but operates as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Stantec: Global AEC firm offering accessibility consulting within its buildings practice. Provides similar code compliance and universal design services but as part of full-service design and engineering offerings.
• HDR: Major AEC firm with accessibility and code consulting capabilities across healthcare, education, and civic markets. Competes for the same enterprise accessibility engagements but at substantially greater scale and geographic reach.
• Kimley-Horn: Large consulting engineering firm with accessibility and code review services integrated across its planning and design practices. Competes for accessibility review work but as one capability within a broad engineering portfolio.

Direct peers

• Accessology: Specialized accessibility consulting firm serving architects, developers, and building owners on ADA, FHA, and code compliance. Comparable in scope to Studio Pacifica with a similarly boutique, expert-witness-enabled practice model.
• Adaptive Environments: Accessibility consulting and design practice serving architectural and civic clients on universal design and code compliance. Comparable niche positioning with similar service-line breadth.
• LCM Architects: Architectural firm with a dedicated accessibility practice serving educational, civic, and commercial clients. Comparable mix of accessibility consulting within an architectural service offering.
• MA Design Consultants: Specialty accessibility consulting firm providing ADA and code review services to architects, owners, and developers. Comparable scale and professional services model to Studio Pacifica.
• Evan Terry Associates: Long-standing accessibility and universal design consulting firm providing plan review, training, and code expertise to architectural clients. Closely comparable in service mix and long-duration market presence.
• Saldaña & Associates: Accessibility and ADA consulting firm focused on architectural plan review, facility assessments, and expert witness work for built environment clients. Directly comparable on expert witness and code review offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/studio-pacifica-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Studio Pacifica