Dr. Elke Altenburger

Associate Professor, Interior Design

Family and Consumer Sciences

Office

TUR Turner Hall 124b

Office Phone

(309) 438-2305office
phone

ealtenb@ilstu.eduemail

About
Education
Awards & Honors
Research

Biography

Elke Altenburger is an Associate Professor for Interior Design. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri and has a degree as a Graduate Engineer of Interior Architecture from the University of Applied Science in Düsseldorf, Germany. She practiced interior design in large design teams in Europe and the United States, developing a portfolio featuring cultural buildings and higher education projects. Elke has had an interest in physical environments for children since her time as an undergraduate. Her research revolves around student perspectives on informal learning environments and the spaces between classrooms in public secondary schools and on college campuses.

Current Courses

499.003Independent Research For The Master's Thesis

287.003Independent Study

400.003Independent Study

345.001Interior Design Business Practices

443.001Interior Design Business Practices

370.001Interior Design II: Studio

370.002Interior Design II: Studio

470.001Interior Design II: Studio

470.002Interior Design II: Studio

445.001Statistics in Applied Science and Technology

445.091Statistics in Applied Science and Technology

291.003Undergraduate Teaching Experiences In Family And Consumer Sciences

499.003Independent Research For The Master's Thesis

287.003Independent Study

400.003Independent Study

345.001Interior Design Business Practices

443.001Interior Design Business Practices

370.001Interior Design II: Studio

370.002Interior Design II: Studio

470.001Interior Design II: Studio

470.002Interior Design II: Studio

498.003Professional Practice: Family And Consumer Sciences

291.003Undergraduate Teaching Experiences In Family And Consumer Sciences

Teaching Interests & Areas

- Design Studios
- Children's Spaces
- Materials, Properties and Connotations
- Professional Drawings and 3 Dimensional Drawing Concepts
- Modern and Contemporary History of Interiors
- Qualitative Research Methods

Research Interests & Areas

- Socio physical school environments
- Design education

Ph D Environment and Behavior

University of Missouri, College of Human Environmental Sciences

Columbia, MO

Graduate Engineer of Interior Architecture

University of Applied Science

Duesseldorf, Germany

Connie J Ley Outstanding Researcher Award

Family and Consumer Sciences

2024

Gamma Alpha Dissertation Year Fellowship

Chancellor of Graduate Studies of the University of Missouri

2016

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award

College of Human Environmental Science

2016

Dissertation Research Travel Award

Office of Graduate Studies at the University of Missouri

2015

Workshop for Course Design: Creating Significant Learning Experiences

Office of Graduate Studies of the University of Missouri

2015

Marcia W. Healy + Robert N. Healy Graduate Scholarship

2012

Prize for Outstanding Students of Architecture

German Cement Industry

1994

Abstract

Altenburger, E., Mankame, P., & Schaafsma, R. Three Modes to Approach Sketch Inhibition in Design Students. Interior Design Educators Council (2024)

Gwin, H., & Altenburger, E. A Coffee Shop Environment's Impact on Work Behavior: Perceptions of Working Patrons. IDEC Regional Proceedings (2023)

Book, Chapter

Altenburger, E., & Fonseca Pereira, G. Navigating the space between soft leads and mixed reality with design students. Nisha Ashanti (EDs), Handbook of Interior Architecture. Routledge

Altenburger, E. Perception of glass in high school. Glass Science - Innovations and applications

Conference Proceeding

Altenburger, E., & Wellenreiter, B. R. (2020). School Climates at Country and Prairie High: The Spaces-In-Between at Two Rural High. American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA.

Journal Article

Altenburger, E., & Russell, L. (2023). Safety and Exposure in Transparent School Interiors: Patterned User Perceptions of Glass. Journal of Interior Design, 48(4), 223-241. https://doi.org/10.1177/10717641231202738

Altenburger, E. (2023). Alarm Will Sound: Students' Perceptions of Safe Space at School. Children, Youth and Environments, 33(1), 25.

Whelan, E., Dyar, C., Edwards, K., Altenburger, E., Fonseca Pereira, G., & Johnson, B. Anticipated satisfaction of technologies in the homes & lives of older adults to prolong independence. Online Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine (2023)

Altenburger, E., Falche, I., & Gwin, H. (2022). Relaxing Design Students Sketch Inhibition: Experiences with Theoretical Grounding and Impermanent Media. International Journal of Art & Design Education. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12446

Altenburger, E. (2021). Rural High School Libraries: Places Prone to Promote Positive School Climates. Journal of Learning Spaces, 10(1). http://libjournal.uncg.edu/jls/article/view/1980/1522

Presentations

Belonging/Inclusion in Campus Spaces: Considering Caregiving and Intersectional Identities. Annual Conference of the National Council on Family Relations. National Council on Family Relations. (2024)

Developing and Launching a Center for Inclusive Intergenerational Environments: Lessons Learned and Future Directions. Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference. Pennsylvania State University. (2024)

Most/Least Favorite Spaces on a University Campus: Examining Leverage Points and (Dis)similarity across Generations. Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference. Pennsylvania State University. (2024)

Re)Defining and (Re)Negotiating Spaces of Belonging: First-Gen Campus Audio Tour. Annual Conference of National School Public Relations Association. National School Public Relations Association. (2024)

Three Modes to Approach Sketch Inhibition in Design Students.. Interior Design Educators Council Annual Conference (IDEC). Interior Design Educators Council. (2024)

What remains to be explained? Instructional Approaches to Sketch Inhibition.. Illinois State University-Wide Teaching and Learning Symposium (2024). Illinois State University. (2024)

Safety and Exposure in Transparent School Interiors: Patterned User Perceptions of Glass. Environmental Design Research Association Annual Conference (edra 54). (2023)

Altenburger, E., Mankame, P., Schaafsma, R. (2024, March). Three Modes to Approach Sketch Inhibition in Design Students. Research Poster presented at the annual conference of the Interior Design Educators Council, New York City.

Go Writing on the Wall: Creative Thinking Modes and Collaboration. Illinois State University-Wide Teaching and Learning Symposium (2022). Center of Teaching and Learning, Illinois State University. (2022)

Sketch Inhibition in Interior Design Students: Impact of 3 Studio Interventions on Confidence and Design Development. Interior Design Educators Council Annual Conference (IDEC). Interior Design Educators Council. (2022)

Grants & Contracts

Day of Celebration of Inclusive Intergenerational Environments. CAST Grant for Innovation in Diversity. Illinois State university. Illinois State University. (2024)

Center for Inclusive Intergenerational Environment. Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2023)

Relaxing Sketch Inhibition with a Hybrid Approach: Studio-Based Assignments and Travel Sketches. SoTL University Research Grant. Center for Integrated Professional Development. Illinois State University. (2023)

"First-Gen Favorite Places" Campus Tour. CAST Grant for Innovation in Diversity. College of Applied Science and Technology. Illinois State University. (2022)

Youth and family experiences of transparent school buildings: Perceptions of connection, exposure, and safety. College of Applied Science and Technology - University Research Grant. Illinois State University. (2021)