Biografie
Profile
Dr Barbara Mutzbauer is a scenographer, interior designer, researcher and lecturer at the intersection of atmosphere, spatial perception, narrative environments, multisensory design, and somaesthetics. Experienced in programme leadership, course responsibility (BA/MA/CAS), thesis supervision (written and practice-based), and curriculum development.
In the autumn semester of 2025, she served as interim Head of the Spatial Design degree programme at the Lucerne School of Art and Design. Her work focuses on the creation and critical reflection of atmosphere, empathy in design and the arts, and the aesthetic and healing qualities of the built environment. She is currently working on human-machine interaction and its effects.
In her doctoral thesis, The Function of Blur, she explored the communicative potential of atmospheres within exhibitionspaces. The work contributes to discourse in exhibition design by combining aesthetic research and phenomenology with an innovative artistic methodology. At the Competence Centre Visual Narrative at the Lucerne School of Art and Design,she is engaged in researching both practical and theoretical aspects of Healing Spaces, investigating their potential tofoster restorative and meaningful spatial experiences. As a reviewer for FIBAA (Foundation for International BusinessAdministration Accreditation) Barbara participates in the accreditation processes of Universities and Courses of Studies.
Spatial design · perception · atmosphere/atmography · narrative environments · healing spaces · design research · somaesthetics · sound immersion · machine-human interaction
Academic Appointments & Leadership
09/2025-02/2026
Interim Head of Programme, BA Spatial Design, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), School of Design, Film and Art (DFK)
- Programme leadership and coordination: curriculum & teaching planning, quality assurance
- Stakeholder management across faculty, students and external partners
- Responsible for the programme until the end of February 2026
03/2025-present:
Research Project Lead, Competence Center Visual Narrative, HSLU DFK
- Development of a new research line (seed/pilot stage)
- Preparation of funding applications and partnerships
09/2024-present:
Lecturer (Core Team), BA Spatial Design, HSLU DFK
- Teaching across theory and studio/project modules (BA)
- Course lead for all BA theory modules (semesters 1–2) and for the theory course “Read’n’Reflect” (semester 5)
- Studio/module lead for practical design modules (incl. “Intro 1” and “Space 1”)
- BA thesis supervision and mentoring (written and practice-based)
- Member of the final examination jury
01/2023-08/2024:
Lecturer, MA Design, HSLU DFK
- Co-teaching, MA thesis mentoring/supervision
10/2021-08/2023:
Lecturer, Faculty of Interior Architecture, Architecture and Design, University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim
- Co-teaching in theory and project modules
- Course lead: “Ich – Raum – Konstellationen” (theory seminar)
08/2020-present:
Lecturer and Mentor Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Continuing Education Programme
- CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) “Atmospheric Design”
- CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) “Living Space Design”
- Winter and Summer Schools
Research Focus
My research focuses on healing spaces and the design of multisensory atmospheres at the intersection of spatial perception, wellbeing and experience design. Building on qualitative fieldwork and practice-based design research, I examine emerging wellbeing and longevity formats (e.g., guided breathwork, heat/cold protocols) and identify soundscape as a key but often underdeveloped spatial component..
Education & Qualifications
02/2026–present:
CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) Music Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), School of Music
- Part-time, individualised specialisation in music hardware/software tools
- Focus: composition and technical skills for a spatial sound installation
- Research-aligned training to strengthen competencies in soundscape composition and music technology for multisensory spatial design (healing atmospheres / sound immersion)
08/2023–present:
Higher Education Teaching Qualification (Hochschuldidaktische Qualifikation), Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
- Focus: higher education didactics, AI in teaching
- Teaching portfolio
01/2023–04/2023:
Online Continuing Education Course (5 ECTS), University of Oxford
- 10-week course: “The First Civilization – Mesopotamia (3500–2000 BC)”
02/2021:
PhD (Dr. phil.), Faculty of Arts, University of Potsdam
- Dissertation viva (Feb 2021)
- Title: Die Funktion der Unschärfe – Atmosphärische Kommunikation in der Weltausstellung
- Focus: exhibition design discourse; aesthetics & phenomenology; practice-based methodological innovation
- published as a book (Dr. Kovac): 392 pages, 978-3-339-12468-5 (ISBN)
2014–2015:
CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) Research & Art Knowledge (15 ECTS), Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
- Postgraduate certificate strengthening research competence and academic writing
2008–2009:
CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) Corporate Design – Multiplicity & Visual Identities (20 ECTS), Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
- Final project: “Sensecity – Atmosphere in Public Space” (theory + visual essay)
09/2005–02/2006:
Exchange Semester, Spatial & Furniture Design, Danmarks Designskole (DKDS), Copenhagen
- Study abroad semester focusing on spatial and furniture design
10/2001–09/2006:
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Interior Architecture, Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences
- Diploma thesis: “(e)motion spaces – architecture for temporary experiences” (Photokina/Adobe Systems)
Selected Professional Experience
09/2025–present:
Founder & Creative Director, Barbara Mutzbauer Creative (Switzerland)
- Spatial communication, concept development, design and consultancy (narrative environments, exhibition and interior contexts)
01/2022–08/2025:
Creative Director, Concept & Strategy, Aroma (Zurich)
- Creative direction and consulting in live communication, narrative spaces, exhibition design, storytelling and interiors
02/2021–12/2021:
Head of Design & Scenography, MCH Global / Live Marketing Solutions
- Creative lead for interior architecture and scenography projects; office space concepts and a special exhibition for the French Pavilion (Expo 2020 Dubai)
06/2019–01/2021:
Creative Director, Bellprat Partner / narrative environments (Zurich)
- Creative lead for exhibitions, events and brand environments; lead scenography for the Swiss Pavilion (Expo 2020 Dubai)
09/2016–03/2019:
Design Director, Schmidhuber (Munich)
- Concept, design, visualisation and delivery of exhibitions and trade-fair projects; leadership of creative teams (competition phases)
07/2011–08/2016:
Scenographer, Bellprat Associates / narrative environments (Zurich)
- Exhibition and pavilion projects incl. House of Switzerland (London Olympics 2012); 8-month assignment in Shanghai, office lead
Academic & Professional Service
09/2025–present:
Accreditation Reviewer / Expert, FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation)
- Review and certification of international higher education institutions and programmes
Jury memberships (selected):
- Design Preis Schweiz (2021)
- Edi.23 and Edi.25 – Swiss commissioned film awards
- Giardina Garden Exhibition Zurich (2024, 2025)
- Blickfang Basel (2026)
Membership:
- VSI.ASAI — Association of Swiss Interior Architects/Designers
Awards (selected)
- Red Dot Design Award (2007)
- German Design Award & Automotive Brand Award (2020)
- Xaver Award (2020)
- ADC Bronze Nail (2021)
- Red Dot Spatial Communication & Xaver Gold (2022) — Swiss Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai
- German Brand Award (2023)
- Xaver Award Bronze (2024)
Selected Publications & Media
In press (expected mid-2026):
- Co-author, “Humboldts Chatbot” (hep Verlag) — AI in continuing education (eds. Charlotte Axelsson, Barbara Getto, Markus Weil)
Article (Open Access):
- “Healing Space – Dimensions of a design and thinking practice”, Exemplar No. 1, HSLU DFK, pp. 19–27 Download Open Access PDF
Interviews & podcasts (selected):
- Meter Magazin podcast (June 2023) Link Spotify
- Raum und Wohnen interview (Aug 2023) Download PDF
- Spatial Design podcast (Nov 2024) Link Spotify
- 4B interview (Nov 2024) Link Part1 / Link Part 2
- Raum und Wohnen interview (Dec 2024)
- just human magazine (Sept 2021) — “Transformation as Status Quo”
Columnist, Magazine “Raum und Wohnen”
- regular column on spatial topics (each issue)
Talks (selected)
- Swissbau (2024/2026)
- HELGA (2023)
- Corporate Culture Jam, Biel (2023–2025)
- Guest lectures incl. ibW Graubünden (and others)
