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Temporary Lecturer
Name: Lara Gardner
Location: Lower Ground Floor, FADA Building Bunting Road Campus
FADA 鈥婭nteror Design Temporary Staff听 Staff Members
Contact Details:
Tel: +27 (0)11-559-9000
Email:听larag@uj.ac.za
About Ms. Lara Gardner
Ms. Lara Gardner is an industry professional and temporary lecturer in the Department of Interior Design at the 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg, within the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA). She completed her Master鈥檚 in Interior Design with distinction.
Her Master’s research, Toward Interior Design Guidelines for Early Childhood Development Centres, investigates how architectural and interior design strategies can enhance South African ECD centres to support holistic child development. The research pursues three objectives: to investigate the role of design in shaping physical learning environments through literature review and precedent analysis; to identify current strengths, challenges, and opportunities through expert and practitioner interviews supplemented by spatial observations at three socioeconomically diverse centres; and to develop contextually appropriate design guidelines aligned with educational and developmental goals.
Alongside her academic studies, she has gained industry experience working with interior designers, architects, landscape architects, and engineers on a variety of projects. Ms. Gardner鈥檚 work has largely focused on design development and technical draughting, giving her valuable insight into the collaborative nature of the built environment.
As an educator, Ms. Gardner believes the early years of education are where the foundation for a student鈥檚 future in the design industry is built. She is passionate about guiding students through this formative stage, supporting their growth while encouraging curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking. She deeply values the opportunity to teach and learn alongside her students, and her goal is to help develop them into thoughtful, capable designers as they begin building their place in the industry.