VCUQatar Presents Stepping Toward Sensory Design

January 26, 2010
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20100121 Joymaynar Hl

As part of the Spring Lecture Series, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar is presenting a lecture by renowned architect Joy Monice Malnar entitled 'Stepping Toward Sensory Design' on Tuesday, 26 January, 2010 at 6:00 PM in the Atrium in VCUQatar.

Joy Monice Malnar, AIA is a professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Previously she was a professor at Loyola University Chicago teaching interior architecture. She has co-authored The Interior Dimension: A Theoretical Approach to Enclosed Space, and lectured on aspects of sensory design in Singapore, Sydney and Seoul. Her latest book is titled Sensory Design, which develops a sensory typology to assist designing for the full range of the human sensory system. Professor Malnar is one of the founding editors and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the journal The Senses & Society published by Berg, UK. For four years her main responsibility was the “Sensory Design” section which focused on the review of architecture, landscape architecture and products.

Joy Malnar believes that if designers had a better understanding of the human senses, and sharpened their skills in perception, our designed environment would be enriched. Information on the senses, and built examples by designers who have been well aware of their discipline’s sensori-emotional dimensions will illustrate the significance of this design approach in her lecture at VCUQatar.

“Joy Malnar is a highly regarded design researcher and author. Both of her books, The Interior Dimension: A Theoretical Approach to Enclosed Space and Sensory Design, have contributed significantly to the study and practice of interior design. She is also an important role model for women in design and design education,” said Carolyn L. Freeman, Chair of the Interior Design Department at VCUQatar.

Ms. Malnar has also been a faculty fellow for the National Center for Supercomputing Applications for 2000-2001, and 2001-2002, engaging in collaborative research with CAVE™ technology. She has investigated the use of immersive virtual reality technologies and worked with the NCSA to develop custom programs as a means of aiding the design process. Her professional experience includes employment at such firms as Sargent and Lundy, Whitaker Associates, and Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, where she worked on large commercial projects. Her M.Arch. is from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a licensed architect, registered interior designer and member of the American Institute of Architects. During the last few years Ms. Malnar has also been providing her architectural expertise to the Friends of the Parks as they develop “The Last Four Miles” a conceptual vision to facilitate the completion of Chicago’s 30 mile lakefront.

“In addition to her lecture, Professor Malnar is conducting a design charrette with VCUQatar interior design students and students from Carnegie Mellon University. The results of that charrette will be on display the evening of her lecture. We hope those who plan to attend will arrive in sufficient time to view the students’ work,” Ms. Freeman added.

“VCUQatar’s Spring Lecture Series aims to present prominent international professionals from the fields of fashion design, graphic design, interior design and painting and printmaking while exposing students and the industry to design as the interdisciplinary glue that informs the future of business,” said Peter S. Chomowicz, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs at VCUQatar, while speaking about the new lecture series. The series will host three more lectures during the semester.

‘Stepping Toward Sensory Design’on 26 January is held at the VCUQatar atrium and starts at 6:00 PM. The lecture is open to the public.

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