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.
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.
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.
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!
November marked another cooldown for commercial real estate, with total deal volume dropping 10% year over year and falling below even 2020’s levels. While overall activity is slowing, investors are concentrating their money on bigger, more resilient assets—driving a 51% surge in deals over $100 million and pushing average transaction sizes well above historical norms. Multifamily remains the strongest sector, office deals are becoming more strategically focused, and medical office and data centers continue to outperform as long‑term demand stays solid.
After years of stalled activity, commercial real estate may finally be nearing a rebound. Experts say that expected interest‑rate drops in 2026 could reignite investor confidence, unlock sidelined capital, and boost deal flow across multiple sectors. But the outlook isn’t uniformly sunny—multifamily faces oversupply, industrial is cooling after years of rapid growth, and weakening employment conditions may slow absorption. For professionals across real estate, mortgage, insurance, and finance, the shifting landscape presents both challenges and major opportunities for those who stay informed and properly licensed.
Consumer Reports delivered a major warning to Congress, highlighting how rapidly expanding fintech tools—especially AI‑driven platforms—are outpacing consumer protections. In testimony before the House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and AI, CR called for stronger, clearer rules to prevent hidden fees, predatory practices, and confusion within digital financial products. For professionals in real estate, mortgages, insurance, and finance, these emerging regulations may soon influence lending decisions, underwriting, credit evaluations, and compliance expectations across the industry.
Amazon is preparing to cut up to 30,000 corporate jobs by mid‑2026 as it pivots aggressively toward automation and AI. Following 14,000 layoffs in late 2025, the company is eliminating layers of management to redirect billions into robotics, generative AI systems, and supercomputing partnerships. While warehouse hiring continues for seasonal demand, Amazon’s internal shift reveals a broader nationwide trend: white‑collar roles across tech, finance, logistics, and more are being reshaped by automation at unprecedented speed.
Florida’s real estate market enters 2026 with new leadership at the helm as Chuck Bonfiglio, broker-owner of AAA Realty Group, is officially installed as President of Florida Realtors. With more than 230,000 members behind the association, Bonfiglio highlights affordability, insurance reform, and taxes as key priorities while expressing optimism about easing mortgage rates, stabilizing prices, and growing inventory. Backed by years of statewide and national Realtor leadership, he aims to guide professionals through another transformative year alongside a newly appointed 2026 leadership team.
Tampa isn’t cooling off—it’s getting smarter. After years of rapid expansion, the city’s commercial real estate market has shifted into a more disciplined, selective phase. Population growth remains strong, office leasing is outperforming national trends, industrial activity is normalizing sustainably, and retail is seeing renewed investor confidence. With capital becoming more cautious and health care real estate emerging as a major growth sector, Tampa is entering a new era focused on strategy, execution, and long‑term fundamentals.
