Internationally recognized interior designer/author to visit SFA

Cynthia Leibrock

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Cynthia Leibrock, an award-winning interior designer and author, will present "Interior Design for Health and Longevity" beginning at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center theatre on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.

Leibrock's goal is to improve health and longevity for people of all ages and abilities by incorporating design features that are patient-centered and help promote independent living. She calls this "universal design." During the presentation, Leibrock will show slides of her own home, which has been featured on the cover of The New York Times and incorporates 200 universal design features.

The purpose of Leibrock's visit, a collaboration between SFA and the city and county of Nacogdoches, is to promote Fair Housing Month. During her trip to Nacogdoches, Leibrock also will be presenting to city and county employees and other area professionals.

This summer, Dr. Mitzi Perritt, SFA professor of human sciences, and five other educators from across the United States will travel to Leibrock's Colorado home for an intense week of universal design study. Upon their return, the educators plan to incorporate universal design elements into their residential design classes.

"Cynthia is an internationally recognized expert on universal design," Perritt said. "For more than 20 years, she has taught courses in the Department of Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and collaborated on the design of The Betty Ford Center, UCLA Medical Center and an exhibit for the Smithsonian."

Leibrock is the author of "Beautiful Barrier Free: A Visual Guide to Accessibility;" "Beautiful University Design: A Visual Guide;" and "Design Details for Health: Making the Most of Interior Design's Health Potential," which won the Polsky Prize for Literature.

Faculty and staff members, students, and the public are invited to attend the presentation at SFA. Admission is free. For more information, contact Perritt at (936) 468-2155.