Jennifer Kaufmann-Buhler

Jennifer Kaufmann-Buhler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Design at Purdue University's Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance, where she has taught since 2016. Her research examines 20th-century American design history through the lens of mundane spaces and objects, focusing on interiors, technology, and furniture to reveal socio-techno-political dimensions of everyday life.

Her academic background includes:

• Ph.D. in Design Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• M.A. in History of Design, Royal College of Art and Victoria & Albert Museum, London
• B.A. in American Culture, Vassar College

Kaufmann-Buhler's scholarship critically analyzes how design shapes cultural narratives, with particular emphasis on office environments as evidenced by her 2021 book Open Plan: A Design History of the American Office. She investigates gender dynamics in furniture design (e.g., sexism in chair anthropometry), the evolution of open-plan spaces, and intersections with Critical Disability Studies. Her work actively challenges traditional design canons by highlighting marginalized perspectives and everyday design experiences.

Analysis of her 2016-2022 publications reveals consistent thematic focus on office design evolution, where she examines technology's impact on workplaces, spatial organization politics, and the socio-cultural implications of furniture systems. Recurring motifs include gendered design practices, corporate ethnography through architecture, and critical reassessment of design history narratives—demonstrating how mundane objects reflect broader societal power structures.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards mentioned in source text

In her teaching, Kaufmann-Buhler cultivates critical engagement with design history by emphasizing diverse actors (designers, manufacturers, users) and socio-political contexts. While specific student names and grant details are absent from the provided information, her interdisciplinary approach—bridging American Studies and Critical Disability Studies—enriches curriculum development and mentorship within the Department of Art and Design, fostering inclusive perspectives on design's cultural significance.