Bennett King

About Bennett King

After more than 25 years in digital design, I shifted my focus from building products to working with people. I became more interested in preserving the cultures, places, and stories that shape our communities than in creating new digital experiences. That shift led me to historic preservation as a more meaningful and grounded path.My background in human-centered design taught me how to listen, observe, and understand how people interact with their environments—and how to turn research into practical outcomes. In historic preservation, I use those same skills to help protect shared heritage. Through work on both public and private projects, I focus on preserving not just buildings, but the cultural landscapes and histories that give places their identity. This transition from tech to preservation has allowed me to contribute to work that is long-term, community-centered, and lasting.

Experience

1. Preservation Consultant

   Culture Place Preservation

   Oct 2023 — Present · San Diego, CA, US

   Historic preservation consulting services specializing in community, cultural, and legacy small business retention and preservation.SAMPLE PROJECTS:Langston Boulevard Alliance- Collected oral histories from community contributors to preserve the history of the effort to rename Lee Highway to Langston Boulevard- Compiled the historical record of the Langston Boulevard renaming process for the Arlington County Center for Local History- Collected and compiled oral histories from legacy businesses along the Langston Boulevard corridor to promote their retention and preservation in the face of gentrification- Currently creating and curating a community-focused cultural heritage program called People & Places that collects and shares the stories of the buildings, businesses, community spaces, historical sites, and community groups along Langston Boulevard in Arlington, as told by the people associated with them. Stein Family Farm- Documented and compiled a Historic Building Conditions Assessment for the Stein Family Farm Living History Museum to be used for preservation planning and rehabilitation of the historic vernacular Queen Anne-style farmhouse.AREAS OF FOCUS- Legacy business retention- Main Street rehabilitation- Public history- Culture and heritage preservation- Historic building documentation

Education

• Goucher College

  Master of Arts - MA, Historic Preservation

• California State University, Fresno

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, History

Skills

• User Experience
• User-Centered Design
• Usability Testing
• Interaction Design
• User Interface Design
• User Research
• Human Computer Interaction
• Mobile Devices
• Information Architecture
• Design Strategy
• Rapid Prototyping
• Puppetry
• Design Research
• Bikram Yoga
• Air Conditioners
• UX Strategy