Mrs.Katarina Richter-Lunn |Architecture | Best Researcher Award
Harvard University,United States
Katarina Richter-Lunn is a doctoral candidate at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design (GSD), focusing on how design intersects with psychology and neuroscience to promote mental well-being through the built environment. She previously earned her Master in Design Studies (MDes) from GSD in 2021. Her research explores material development, computational design, robotics, and affective computing to develop architectural solutions that function as therapeutic spaces. Her goal is to create universally accessible and empathetic designs addressing mental health challenges.
Summary:
Katarina Richter-Lunn is an outstanding candidate with a strong foundation in research, leadership, and innovation. Her contributions to the fields of environmental psychology, architecture, and technology highlight her ability to address complex, interdisciplinary problems effectively. Her work is particularly impactful in exploring new therapeutic applications and sustainable building practices.
Professional Profiles:
🎓 Education :
Katarina Richter-Lunn holds a Doctor of Design (D.Des.) from Harvard Graduate School of Design, focusing on Physical Computing, Affective Architecture, Environmental Psychology, Psychophysiology, and Programmable Materials. Her dissertation, “Sentient Spaces”, explores physiological feedback systems for anxiety mitigation. She also earned a Master in Design Studies (M.Des.) with a concentration in Technology, presenting a thesis on tangible therapeutic mediation. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) from California Polytechnic, where she focused on sustainable environments and experimental therapy design.
🏢 Experience:
Katarina has served as a Teaching Fellow and Program Coordinator at Harvard GSD and UCLA, engaging in design education, computational techniques, and studio mentorship. Her professional design experience includes roles at renowned firms like Gehry Partners and Snøhetta, where she contributed to high-profile architectural projects. Her responsibilities spanned conceptual design, computational modeling, and sustainable materials research.
🛠️Skills:
She is proficient in modeling and computational design tools such as Rhino, AutoCAD, Revit, Grasshopper, and TouchDesigner. Her expertise extends to programming languages like Python, Java, and C++, as well as advanced fabrication methods, including robotics and 3D printing. Katarina is fluent in English and French, with proficiency in Spanish.
Research Focus :
Her research bridges architecture and technology, emphasizing psychophysiological interactions with the built environment. Katarina explores how programmable materials and immersive systems can influence well-being, thermal perception, and emotional health. She has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and projects like Cold-SNAP, a cooling innovation for ceramic tiles, and has collaborated on studies integrating robotics and performance arts.
🔬Awards:
Katarina’s work has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship, the Daniel L. Schodek Fellowship for Technology and Sustainability, and multiple thesis and scholarship awards. She has also been a featured speaker at academic and design conferences, highlighting her contributions to architecture and computational design.
Katarina Richter-Lunn’s credentials and achievements make her a highly suitable nominee for the “Best Researcher Award.” While she has a few areas for improvement, her interdisciplinary expertise, academic leadership, and extensive contributions to her field strongly position her as a front-runner for the award.
Publications:
- Thermal-material priming: The influence of building materials on thermal perception and tolerance in immersive virtual environments
- Authors: Guida, G., Richter-Lunn, K., Bechthold, M.
- Year: 2024
- Published In: Building and Environment
- Volume: 266
- Article Number: 112073
- Acu.ation: Real Time Acupoint Stimulation To Mediate The Urge To Smoke
- Authors: Richter-Lunn, K., Krishna Kumar, I.
- Year: 2022
- Published In: Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems – Proceedings
- Citations: 0
- Doze: Hydrogel-based epidermal platform for personalized scent diffusion
- Authors: Chee, G., Cobb, T., Richter-Lunn, K., Wicaksono, I., Freedman, B.R.
- Year: 2020
- Published In: UbiComp/ISWC 2020 Adjunct – Proceedings of the 2020 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing and Proceedings of the 2020 ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers
- Pages: 17–20
- Citations: 0