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School of Interior Architecture & Design

Faculty

Laura Blumenfeld
Laura Blumenfeld
Executive Director of Interior Architecture & Design

Laura Blumenfeld is a graduate of the University of San Francisco and Academy of Art College Co-Op program. She brings over 20 years of experience in the field of interior design specializing in both commercial and residential projects. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Town and Country, San Francisco magazine, Interior Design and Metropolitan Home. In 2004, one of Laura's residential projects received a Distinguished Building Award from The American Institute of Architects. Laura has been teaching at the Academy of Art University's School of Interior Architecture & Design since 2004.

Ken Frieders
Ken Frieders
BFA Director of Interior Architecture & Design

Ken is a registered California architect, and began his formal design education with a BFA in Fine Arts & Art Education. Ken began studying architecture evenings in New York at the New School while working for jewelry designer Jose Hess. His first San Francisco design experience was an assignment to remove all Jeeps & giraffes from Banana Republic stores. Currently he works with commercial and retail clients to improve the customer experience. Ken has been teaching in the IAD department since 2004.

Stephanie Smith-Haenel
Stephanie Smith-Haenel
Full-Time Instructor

Stephanie comes to us with over twelve years experience in commercial interior design. She holds a BA in interior Design and is a graduate of the School of Interior Architecture and Design MFA program at Academy of Art University. Stephanie has been coordinating special projects for IAD since 2008. Stephanie teaches undergraduate and graduate courses both online and on campus.

Agustin Sanders
Agustin Sanders
Full-Time Instructor

Agustin grew up in a very artistic family. His mother was an Interior Designer and first introduced him to fabrics, furniture and design. He started his career in Mexico City working as a set designer for one of Mexico's most influential fashion photographers, at the age of 19. After living in Mexico for almost the first 20 years of his life, he decided to relocate to San Francisco, California. In 2009 Agustin had the opportunity to design the Urban Knights Art Cafe for the Academy of Art University. The main design for this space was based on a modern version of an art studio, utilizing the Academy colors and incorporating different material and textures all through out the space to create a very contemporary environment but comfortable and eye catching for students. Agustin received his BFA degree from the Academy of Art, School of Interior Architecture and Design.