Pratt Institute

Guided by an exceptionally collaborative visioning process, OTJ translated the department’s pedagogical goals into a cohesive design solution. Faculty members actively contributed research, tested concepts, and shared perspectives that shaped both the learning experience and the character of the space. Together, the team developed an environment that supports contemporary teaching methods while providing the flexibility expected of a long-term academic investment.

The experience centers on the Digital Arts Plaza, a flexible commons that establishes the identity of the department while supporting daily collaboration, guest lectures, screenings, presentations, and career events. Operable glass walls and integrated acoustic treatments allow the space to transform without disrupting adjacent learning environments. Beyond the plaza, classrooms accommodate a range of instructional approaches, from software demonstrations to immersive drawing studios that encourage direct engagement between faculty and students. Purpose-built Foley and audio recording studios complete the program, providing professional-quality environments that mirror the technical demands of contemporary creative practice.

Informed by dialogue with the department chair, the design draws from the sequential nature of frame-by-frame animation. Edge-lit acrylic ceiling elements create a sculptural focal point within the Digital Arts Plaza, while a carefully balanced palette subtly references Pratt’s identity. The result is a learning environment that celebrates creativity while providing an enduring framework for evolving technologies, teaching methodologies, and future generations of designers.