Woodbury University is pleased to announce the appointment of Branka Olson as Chair of Interior Design in the School of Architecture, effective January 1, 2022. Branka is a practitioner-scholar with a focus on people-centered built environments. As a licensed architect and certified interior designer with a long-standing consulting practice, she has defined, designed, and delivered an extensive portfolio of projects for public and private sector clients. 

Branka's research investigates the intersection of design theory, organizational behavior, and environmental psychology in examining the experiential effects of built environments on the engagement, satisfaction, and performance of knowledge workers. 

A second stream of research focuses on applying design thinking in integrated project delivery methods of construction projects with an emphasis on sustainable, life-cycle benefits. The research has been presented at numerous academic and practitioner conferences. Branka's teaching focus is grounded in the humanist approach to design that centers on the experiential factors of the built environment.

"Branka has been invaluable to the SOA where she has served as Assessment Officer for the past two years," says WSoA Interim Dean Heather Flood. "I'm thrilled that she's agreed to bring her curricular vision, strategic goals, and implementation know-how to the Interior Design program. Her expertise bridges the academy and the profession, ensuring that students develop the capacity to think critically while implementing creative solutions."