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Occupation Professor at the University of Texas School of Architecture Residence Austin, Texas, United States Alma maters Kent State University, University of Oregon, Purdue University | ||
Nancy Kwallek is a professor at the University of Texas School of Architecture (UTSOA). She holds the Gene Edward Mikeska Endowed Chair in Interior Design, and is the Director of UTSOA’s Interior Design Program. She received her B.S. from Kent State University; M.S. from University of Oregon, and her Ph.D. from Purdue University. Her areas of interest include: interiors and society; interior design history and theory; and the effects of interior environments (specifically, ambiance of color) on individuals.
According to Laura Stack, author of "The Exhaustion Cure: Up Your Energy from Low to Go in 21 Days," Dr. Kwallek's studies on ambient color theory are cited frequently throughout past and present research on the effects of interior environments.
Some of Dr. Kwallek's studies include:
In September 2011, Dr. Kwallek was featured as a lecturer for the VAC Talks series, as part of the Visual Arts Center at the University of Texas at Austin College of Fine Arts. Her lecture was in conjunction with artist Mika Tajima's exhibition, "The Architect’s Garden." In the lecture, Dr. Kwallek referenced Herman Miller and Knoll as primary examples of how the impact of color can affect individual senses. She detailed how the designs of Alexander Girard and Florence Knoll helped to set the stage for change in interior color palettes. For example, Kwallek spoke about the era prior to Girard's designs, when most interiors focused on aesthetically basic, functional textiles or patterned, floral textiles. Dr. Kwallek indicated that Girard opted to instead inject vibrancy into interior design through the use of primary colors, playful geometric shapes, and humor. She also credits architect and Knoll designer Eero Saarinen as an important contributor to burgeoning color variation in midcentury design.
Dr. Kwallek is currently in the process of planning a textiles symposium on UT Austin campus called, “Weaving the Past and the Present," which will celebrate 101 years of interior design education at the university. The event is slated for October 25-27, 2013.
Dr. Kwallek's office is in the West Mall Office Building on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin.