Douglas G. Braik was born in Invercargill, New Zealand, the son of George D. and Isabel Braik. After an education at Wanganui Technical College, from which he graduated in 1915, he entered the New Zealand Expeditionary forces during World War I. Following the war, Braik moved to the United States and obtained his degree in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1923. By the time of his graduation he was employed in the office of Horace Wells Sellers, where he remained at least until 1928. Later associations included firms with Robert Montgomery Brown and Louis McAllister. At the time of his death he was employed as chief of the design staff for the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

Braik was a member of the T-Square Club, the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA, and the British Officers Club of Philadelphia. During World War II he served as security officer for the British Maritime Commission in Philadelphia, Boston, and San Pedro, CA.

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.