The Design Curriculum Analysis Program at Pratt Institute has emerged as a pivotal innovation in the assessment procedures of the Undergraduate Architecture department. Launched in the 2024-2025 academic year, this program introduces an engaging and critical evaluation process involving external critics, known as “Eminent Analysts”. These experts, chosen for their alignment with the academic year’s theme, are tasked with scrutinizing and enhancing the curriculum through their seasoned perspectives.


Each analyst is integrated into the studio’s culture, participating in midterm, final, and other significant reviews. Their role is not merely observational; they actively contribute to the studio’s dialogue, culminating in a presentation tailored to the studio’s focus. At the semester’s conclusion, a comprehensive feedback loop is established where the Analyst, studio coordinator, and department chairperson discuss insights and recommendations for future improvements.


This inaugural year has been marked by success, thanks in part to the diverse expertise of the 2024-2025 Analysts Cohort:


2024-2025 Analysts Cohort

Fall Semester: First Year Analyst, Nate Hume

Nate Hume, a Brooklyn-based architect and principal of Hume Architecture, brings a wealth of experience. His work features in esteemed publications such as Project, Log, and The New York Times. Hume’s exhibitions have graced venues like The Druker Gallery and Yale Architecture Gallery. As the creator of Suckerpunch, a platform exploring contemporary architecture and art, Hume’s contributions have been invaluable.

Nate hume lectures to first-year cohort

Fall Semester: Second Year Analyst, Paul Preissner

Paul Preissner, of Paul Preissner Architects in Oak Park, Illinois, served as commissioner and co-curator of the United States pavilion at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia. His literary contributions include Kind of Boring: Canonical Work and Other Visible Things Meant to Be Viewed as Architecture and American Framing: The Same Something for Everyone.

Paul preissner lecture and panel discussion to second-year cohort

Spring Semester: Third Year Analyst, Hana Kassem

Hana Kassem, Principal at KPF, is renowned for her human-centric design approach. Her focus on sustainability, resiliency, and wellness is evident in her work and teaching at Parsons. She serves on the Van Alen Institute and the AIANY Board of Trustees and is the Founding Chair of the AIANY annual Leaning Out | Women in Architecture panel.

Hana kassem lecture to third-year cohort

Spring Semester: Degree Project Analyst, Michael Young

Michael Young, an Associate Professor at The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture at the Cooper Union, is celebrated for his works, The Estranged Object and Reality Modeled After Images. His practice, Young & Ayata, boasts numerous accolades, including the Progressive Architecture award and the AIANY Honor Award.


For more detailed insights, visit the original article on Pratt Institute’s website. You can also explore more news from the School of Architecture and all Pratt news.

More Articles

Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!

Florida’s Insurance Crisis Explained: Why Coastal Risk Is Pushing the Market to Its Breaking Point

Florida’s insurance market is under intense pressure as millions of residents and trillions in property wealth cluster along hurricane‑vulnerable coastlines. This article breaks down how decades of growth in high‑risk zones created today’s crisis, why traditional pricing models can’t keep up, and what real estate and insurance professionals must do to stay ahead. It offers actionable insights on underwriting, risk communication, policy partnerships, and resilience planning—critical knowledge for anyone advising Florida homeowners or navigating the state’s evolving insurance landscape.

Sky‑High Insurance Rates Are Now Florida’s “New Normal,” Experts Warn

Florida’s homeowners insurance market may have stabilized, but not in the way residents hoped. After years of runaway increases, premiums have stopped spiking—but they’re holding at painfully high levels. Coastal properties remain the hardest hit, with some policies topping $15,000 a year, while insurers continue demanding costly upgrades and resisting calls for transparency. For real estate professionals, understanding these pricing pressures is becoming essential as insurance costs increasingly shape buyer decisions across the state.

Hurricane Insurance in Florida: The 2026 Coverage Guide Every Homeowner Needs

Florida homeowners face soaring premiums, shrinking insurer options, and storms that grow stronger each year. This article breaks down what hurricane insurance actually covers, how deductibles really work, why flood insurance is essential, and what professionals in real estate, mortgage, and insurance must understand to protect clients and properties before the next major storm hits.

The Legacy Leader Steps Down: Teresa King Kinney Retires After 33 Years Transforming MIAMI Realtors

Teresa King Kinney, one of the most influential executives in modern real estate, is retiring after 33 years as CEO of the MIAMI Association of Realtors. Under her leadership, the organization grew from 5,000 members to 60,000, became a global real estate powerhouse, and built the nation’s largest association‑owned MLS. As she transitions into CEO Emeritus, MIAMI prepares for a new era shaped by the foundation she spent decades building.

Miami’s Commercial Real Estate Surges Back as Retail Leads a 2025 Rebound

Miami’s commercial property market is heating up again, posting an 11% jump in investment volume for 2025. The surge is driven largely by a revitalized retail sector fueled by population growth, strong tourism, and new mixed‑use development. While office and industrial activity remains steady but softer, investor confidence is returning as Miami’s CRE landscape matures and buyers re‑enter the market with renewed interest in high‑traffic retail opportunities.

The Fed Signals Big Mortgage Rule Changes That Could Reshape Home Lending

The Federal Reserve is preparing major changes to mortgage regulations in an effort to pull more mortgage activity back into the banking sector. With banks losing significant market share to nonbank lenders over the past decade, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman says new proposals may ease capital requirements and make mortgage servicing more attractive for banks. These shifts could have wide‑ranging effects on real estate professionals, lenders, and borrowers as the balance of power in the mortgage market begins to shift once again.