Nisha Fernando
- Associate Professor of Interior Architecture
- Director of Interior Architecture
Contact Info
Biography —
Nisha A. Fernando is the Director of the Interior Architecture Program and Associate Professor of Interior Architecture. Originally from Sri Lanka, she is a registered architect and practiced for over 10 years involving commercial and residential architecture and interior architecture projects. Dr. Fernando has 25 years of academic experience in the U.S. Before joining KU, she taught at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for nearly 20 years, where she also served two terms as the Associate Dean and Division Head. She has won several awards, including the Chancellor’s Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Creativity – Faculty Mentor Award, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (2002, 2003, & 2004), University of Wisconsin System Woman of Color Award (2009), University Teaching Excellence Award (2012), EDRA Service Award (2022), and EDRA Achievement Award (2024). She serves as the faculty Advisor for the KU ASID student chapter and is a Faculty Fellow in the KU Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE)
Education —
Research —
Dr. Fernando’s broad research area is in the social, cultural and psychological dimensions of architecture and interior architecture, specifically focusing on the mutual relationships between culture and built environments of various scales. Her current research interests within this spectrum involve sensory aspects of culture-space interactions and meaning, and cultural dimensions of place attachment. Her other broad research includes design pedagogy, with a current focus on grading reform.
Selected Publications —
Fernando, N. A. (Ed.) (January 2026). Routledge Handbook of Interior Architecture Research. Routledge, UK.
Silva, K. D. & Fernando, N. A. (Eds.) (2024) Theorizing Built Form and Culture: The Legacy of Amos Rapoport, Routledge, UK.
Fernando, Nisha A. (2024). Sensory experiences as cultural place identity: Two case studies. In Silva, K. and Fernando, N. (Eds), Theorizing Built Form and Culture: The Legacy of Amos Rapoport, Routledge, UK.
Fernando, Nisha. (2020). Sensory Heritage of South Asian Cities. In Silva. K. (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Urban Historic Landscapes in the Asia-Pacific, Routledge, U.K.
Fernando, Nisha. (2013). The Ivory Tower and the Brick & Mortar: Minding the Gap. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 105: 48–53.
Fernando, Nisha. (2007). Decision making in design studios: Old Dilemmas and New Strategies. In A. Salama & N. Wilkinson (Eds.), Design Studio Pedagogy: Horizons for the Future. U.K.: Urban International Press.
Fernando, Nisha. (2006). Open-Ended Space: Urban Streets in Different Cultural Contexts. In Karen A. Franck. & Quentin Stevens (Eds.), Loose Space: Diversity and Possibility in Urban Life. New York: Routledge.
Fernando, Nisha. (2006). Design as exploration: An integrative model. Open House International. U.K. Special Issue: ‘Design Teaching Practices’. 31/3: 10-16).
Fernando, Nisha. (2005). Taste, smell and sound: On the street in Chinatown and Little Italy. Architectural Design. Special Issue - ‘Food and the City’. 75(3): 20-25.