© 2006 Bob Handelman
Ryerson Walk
PRATT TOPS NATIONWIDE DESIGN SURVEY Pratt Institute’s design departments were among the highest-ranked schools in the 2008 “America’s Best Architecture and Design Schools” issue of Design Intelligence (DI), a monthly architecture and design journal. DI’s annual school rankings are based exclusively on companies’ perceptions of how well schools prepare their graduates for professional practice. Pratt’s Undergraduate Interior Design program was ranked second and its Graduate Interior Design program was ranked third by interior design and architecture firms across the country. In addition, Pratt’s Interior Design undergraduate and graduate programs were ranked first by firms in the eastern region of the country as well as by firms across the United States. Pratt’s Interior Design department also scored high among schools with students showing innovation in design, skill in using computer applications, and cross-disciplinary experience. Pratt’s Industrial Design department was ranked third for its graduate program and fifth for its undergraduate program by industrial design firms across the country. Both the undergraduate and graduate programs were ranked first in the eastern region of the country by firms in the eastern region. Pratt’s Undergraduate Architecture program was ranked ninth in the country, according to DI. The undergraduate program was ranked fourth among schools in the eastern region of the United States by architecture and design firms in the eastern region and was ranked fifth among schools in the eastern region by firms nationwide.
Group Meets to Formulate Sustainability Strategies Last fall, a diverse group of architects, designers, urban planners, technology specialists, and other leaders and thinkers in sustainability gathered at Pratt Manhattan Gallery for a strategy session that laid the groundwork for making Pratt a model for sustainability for schools of art and design across the country. The forum was led by trustee Robert H. Siegel and Debera Johnson, Pratt’s academic director of sustainability. The group generated close to 200 concepts, then identified six key areas of focus, including creating green jobs and internships and creating standards and graphics that make it easier for individuals to understand how they can go carbon neutral. It is expected that these action items will lead to a series of concrete proposals for advancing Pratt’s leadership in sustainability. “The exciting outcome of the meeting is the beginning of a ‘smart network’ that will continue to bring in a diversity of professionals who are committed to the environment,” says Johnson.
Architecture School Is “Home Base” for Film on Architecture Education
JOE VERICKER
Pratt Center for Community Development marked more than four decades of planning and advocacy for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice with its 45th Anniversary gala dinner this spring. During the festivities, the organization honored the accomplishments of three leaders who have helped to further the organization’s vision: J. Max Bond, Jr., FAIA, a partner at New York City–based Davis Brody Bond, Architects and Planners, and former New York City planning commissioner; Jonathan Rose, founder of the award-winning national real estate firm Jonathan Rose Companies LLC, which plans, develops, and acquires environmentally responsible projects; and Alexie Torres-Fleming, executive director of Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, a community development center.
From left to right, bottom: honorees Jonathan Rose and Alexie Torres-Fleming, President Thomas F. Schutte, and honoree J. Max Bond, Jr. Top: Pratt Center Director Brad Lander and Pratt trustees Gary Hattem, Mike Pratt, and Robert Siegel. 42
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Arbuckle Industries
Pratt Center Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary
Filmmakers Ian Harris, above left, and David Krantz, architects themselves, are putting their careers on hold to tell the true story of the grueling challenges in the lives of architecture students in the feature-length documentary Archiculture, which they are shooting on Pratt’s Brooklyn campus this spring semester. They chose Pratt due to the diversity of its students and the architecture program’s willing support. Archiculture will provide viewers with an indepth look into the creative yet competitive process of architectural education by following five students during their turbulent final semester at Pratt, revealing their passion, drive, and unflagging determination. The film will use the their projects and their stories to examine contemporary issues surrounding the profession.