Katharina Beliveau Wang

MArch Candidate, Instructor

Katharina Beliveau Wang, NCIDQ, IIDA, has experienced LSU many ways: as an undergraduate student (she received her Bachelor of Interior Design degree in 2018,) as an alumna, and now as a graduate student pursuing her Masters of Architecture, and as an instructor in the School of Interior Design.

As a student, and teacher, of design, Katharina continues to push the boundaries of design and creativity, bridging the intersections of architecture, interior design, fabrication, and more.

Teaching the Next Generation of Designers

“Teaching has always been a dream of mine – I just never imagined I’d have the opportunity to teach this early in my career,” Katharina said. “My journey began when I was invited to teach an interior design studio as an adjunct instructor. The following semester, I returned to teach the Revit class for the LSU School of Interior Design, and I’ve been back every semester since. Within the first few weeks, I thought to myself, “Wow, I really love teaching.”

“Helping students build their confidence and seeing them connect the dots as they learn how tools come together to bring their vision to life is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “The best part always comes at the end of the Revit class – and in the semester afterward – when they have the freedom to truly use the software as a creative tool. Seeing what they create and how passionate they are about their designs never gets old! I especially love it when former students reach out to share what they’ve been working on. The joy of creating is contagious.”

A licensed interior designer, Katharina realized that if she wanted to teach long-term, she would need to pursue a master’s degree. “While I could have chosen something like an MBA to achieve that goal more quickly, I knew I wanted to study something I was truly passionate about – and that’s what led me to the Master of Architecture program. The halls of Atkinson are teeming with faculty who are an incredible source of knowledge and inspiration. It’s been an amazing experience so far, and I’m so glad I chose this path.”

Why LSU?

She began her design journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, where she learned to balance creativity with functionality. She said choosing LSU was easy. “For my undergraduate degree, the decision was a bit simple – I made a Venn diagram of ‘warm weather’ and ‘SEC marching bands,’ and LSU was the perfect intersection!”

“But as I considered pursuing a master’s degree, my reasons evolved. After graduating, I found myself drawn back to LSU’s beautiful campus,” she said. “There’s something undeniably special about the oak trees, azaleas, and the iconic arches that I just couldn’t find at other universities. They hold a certain magic that I feel connected to every time I walk across campus.”

“Additionally, LSU’s nearly 100-year-old architecture program, with its rich history and deep roots, was a major factor in my decision. The combination of tradition and innovation at LSU is something I wanted to be a part of. I’m also excited by the groundbreaking research happening here, and I’m eager to contribute to that legacy while furthering my own academic journey.”

After graduation, Katharina spent five years working at Coleman Partners Architects, LLC architectural firm, where she developed a passion for the finer details of design – figuring out how custom pieces and architectural features could be brought to life. “It was during this time that I truly appreciated the magic of construction documentation and how those technical drawings could transform lines on a screen into real, inhabitable spaces,” she said.

“This hands-on experience gave me a deep understanding of how the creative and technical sides of design come together. It’s a perspective that has shaped everything I do, from my own design work to the way I approach teaching.”

Favorite LSU Memories

“Some of my favorite moments at LSU College of Art & Design revolve around collaboration and unexpected insights. I often use various fabrication tools in my models, and every time I stop by the 3D print lab to check on a print, I end up in fascinating conversations with students from different disciplines. We share what we’re working on, and the exchange of ideas is always enlightening. Once, I mentioned having trouble with light bleeding through my 3D-printed model in areas where I didn’t want it. A graduate student from the School of Art casually asked if I’d tried using aluminum foil to block the light – it was such a simple suggestion, but one I hadn’t considered. It ended up being the perfect solution!”

“Kat is super engaged with just about every resource in the college and has been experimenting with glass slumping using the ceramics kilns,” said Conrad Freeman, Fabrication Laboratory Manager of the LSU College of Art & Design. “Right now, she’s designing in Revit and 3D-printing stencils in the Fabrication Lab. She then uses these stencils to sift glass frit through, shaping the material before removing the stencil and firing the glass in a kiln. Once melted, the glass fuses into a single, seamless mass with a high-gloss finish and no real texture.”

“She’s mainly exploring the material and process, trying to understand shrinkage rates and how the glass behaves under heat so she can account for that in her design phase. She’s fully committed to the experimentation process and diving deep into the material. Kat is one of those students who goes all in when she’s interested in something, and it’s been great to see her bridge digital fabrication and traditional craft.”

Another favorite memory is the final night before our building facade project was due for Fabio Capra-Ribeiro’s class, Katharina shared. Part of the submission was a full-scale 4′ x 4′ model of the facade system we had designed. “That night, Atkinson Hall came alive. Exhausted and sleep-deprived, we took short breaks from our work to wander the halls and check out what everyone else was building. Despite the pressure, there was such a positive, supportive atmosphere,” she said. “My team partner and I stayed up all night putting the finishing touches on our model, laughing the whole way through. We didn’t get any sleep, but the camaraderie and sense of accomplishment made it all worth it.”

Research For the Love of Design

“What I love most about design is that it allows us to continually optimize the world around us. Design transforms problems into opportunities – it gives us the tools to reimagine the things others might simply complain about and empowers us to take action.”

“Instead of just identifying obstacles, design encourages us to find creative solutions and implement them. This problem-solving mindset is what excites me most,” Katharina said. “Every challenge becomes a puzzle waiting to be solved, and every solution has the potential to make a tangible impact.”

Katharina describes her primary three areas of interest:

• “First, I’m fascinated by the cyclical nature of design trends throughout history – how styles emerge as reactions to the dominant aesthetics of their time. Understanding this ebb and flow not only reveals societal patterns but also inspires forward-thinking design.”
• “I’m also deeply interested in the role of aesthetics in healthcare environments, particularly how the design of medical devices and furniture can impact mental health and healing. Many medical devices are strictly functional and visually unappealing, but I believe integrating thoughtful, beautiful design into these objects could create a more uplifting experience for patients and even promote healing.”
• “Finally, I’m passionate about fabrication and material research. During my Master’s program, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various fabrication tools and explore innovative methods of creating. I’m currently working on an independent study in material research, focusing on glass fusing and slumping techniques. Wissmach Glass has generously donated materials to support this work, and I’m excited to see where the research takes me. I’m particularly interested in how digital fabrication can be integrated into these processes and how glass could become part of the architectural modeling process.”

In the future, she hopes to expand on these interests through continued research – and possibly a PhD – to continue to grow her knowledge in these areas.

“Design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about improving functionality, creating connections, and making the world a little more thoughtful, intentional, innovative, and accessible with every project. That continual process of rethinking, refining, and optimizing is what keeps me passionate about design.”