Gabriela Christen

Gabriela Christen is a lecturer and researcher at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) in the School of Design and Art, where she previously served as Director of Design & Art from March 2010 to February 2022. Her career spans cultural curation at the Swiss National Museum, directorship of Nidwalden cantonal museums, editorial leadership at Swiss Radio SRF, and teaching at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).

Education:

• Art History studies at universities in Basel, Paris, Vienna, Zurich, and Bern
• Romance Languages studies at universities in Basel, Paris, Vienna, Zurich, and Bern
• Philosophy studies at universities in Basel, Paris, Vienna, Zurich, and Bern

Christen's research centers on sacred landscapes and eco-social design innovation, examining how historical monastic spaces inform contemporary sustainable design. Her work bridges architecture, cultural heritage, and community engagement, with emphasis on Central Switzerland's sacred geography and material-based design practices.

Her publication trends reveal consistent exploration of monastic architecture (2024 Baldegg Monastery study), design history (2017 Pattern Book), and sustainable urbanism (2016 Emmenbrücke research). These works collectively address cultural preservation, material innovation, and ecological integration in design, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches across religious studies, environmental planning, and artistic practice.

No scientific awards were documented in the source material.

Christen advises doctoral candidates through the 'Eco-Social Innovation by Design' PhD program and leads the 'Platform Sacred Landscape Central Switzerland' initiative. She currently establishes interdisciplinary connections between HSLU's Design & Art and Technology & Architecture departments while supporting Baldegg Monastery's strategic development.