Raquel Bito Appointed to San Francisco Building Inspection Commission
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Raquel Bito Appointed to San Francisco Building Inspection Commission
Senior Architect with Steinberg Hart Brings
Passion for “under-represented and disabled” to her new role
23 February 2021 – San Francisco: On January 28, Raquel Bito, an Architect and Senior Associate at Steinberg Hart (www.steinberghart.com) was sworn in as a member of the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission (http://sfgov.org/bic). Bito was nominated by San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed to fill the architect’s seat on the seven-person commission.
“I know first-hand how difficult it is for people that are underrepresented and disabled to find housing in the Bay Area,” said Bito in a statement. “I grew up in a household with a sibling who has physical disabilities and a single mother who worked two jobs while raising teenagers. It is not an unfamiliar immigrant story, but one that still resonates with so many people especially given the current economic climate. I am eager and honored to bring this experience and real-life witness to the Commission.”
In her 20 year career, Bito has become known for her attention to detail and a focus on housing projects – single family, multi-family, and urban mixed use. Bito received her Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Washington.
“What we see in our neighborhood streets and hear in the news about the Bay Area’s housing crisis will not go away unless we increase the housing supply at all levels – very low, low income, affordable, and market rate,” Bito continued. “More housing in the market helps level the supply and demand curve, making more homes available to more income levels. I am passionate about housing at all levels, my work at Steinberg Hart and engagement with non-profit organizations allow me to voice issues and ideas for those who may not ”
As a policy-making and supervisory body mandated by the San Francisco City Charter, the seven member citizen Building Inspection Commission manages the Department of Building Inspection and the bodies subordinate to the Commission by overseeing the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of the City and County’s Building, Housing, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical Codes, along with Disability Access Regulations.
About the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission:
The San Francisco Building Inspection Commission and the Department of Building Inspection were created by voter referendum in 1994. The Building Inspection Commission was designed to provide representation for the various communities, which interact with the Building Department. The seven different commission slots are filled by a structural engineer, a licensed architect, a residential tenant, a residential builder, a residential landlord, a community based non-profit housing developer, and a member of the general public at large.
About Steinberg Hart:
Steinberg Hart is an international architecture, interiors, and planning firm headquartered in Los Angeles. The firm has built a diverse and talented team that works collaboratively across all seven offices challenging one another to develop designs that build community, enhance business, support learning, and connect people with place. Steinberg Hart is known for innovation in design thinking and building technologies that help clients realize the full potential of their project.