Lectures and Events

A speaker presents at Pratt Institute’s Higgins Hall auditorium, standing at a podium before a projected image of a modern concrete building under a bright sky. The audience watches attentively from theater-style seating.

The GA/LA/UD hosts a diverse series of lectures and events that enrich the intellectual life of students, faculty, and the broader community. These programs foster critical discourse, cross-disciplinary exchange, and deep engagement with the theoretical, technical, cultural, and social dimensions of architecture and design. Through these events, the GA/LA/UD brings together internationally recognized architects, theorists, and interdisciplinary thinkers. For students, these gatherings offer direct exposure to innovative practices and ideas shaping the field today, inspiring new ways of thinking and informing their own design approaches. They also provide valuable opportunities to engage with leading practitioners, build professional connections, and situate their work within a larger global and cultural context.

To find out about upcoming events, click here.

Past Events

Log #64: The Undecorated Shed – Issue Launch

10/27/2025
A woman stands in a room with large windows, holding a poster titled "LOG#64: THE UNDECORATED SHED." She is wearing a black top and a knee-length, patterned skirt. A gray stool is positioned nearby. The background features light-colored walls and window shades. The poster includes details about an event, with the venue and time displayed prominently.
A woman stands in a room holding a poster titled "LOG#64: THE UNDECORATED SHED." She wears a black tank top and a long, patterned skirt. Behind her, large windows let in natural light. A stool is positioned in front of her. The poster includes details about an issue launch event.
A man with short, dark hair is standing at a wooden podium, presenting during a lecture. He is wearing a dark sweater and appears to be using hand gestures to emphasize his points. A screen behind him displays a diagram labeled "HIGHWAY" and "DUC." There are water bottles on the table in front of him, and part of the audience is visible in the shadows on either side.
A speaker stands at a podium, presenting to an audience. The podium features a computer monitor displaying a graphic labeled "HIGHWAY" with a simple drawing. The setting is an indoor auditorium with a table visible in the foreground, holding water bottles. The lighting is soft, highlighting the speaker and the presentation backdrop.
A man with dark hair and a beard stands at a podium during a presentation. He is facing the audience and gesturing towards a large screen displaying a diagram, including the text "HIGHWAY" and "DUC." The setting appears to be an auditorium, with a table in front holding water bottles and a dark surface.

Jessica B. Harris: Lessons from The African American Garden

10/23/2025
Jessica B. Harris
Henry Obispo
A person wearing a dark leather jacket is holding a tote bag featuring a black and white image of an elderly woman smiling, adorned with jewelry and a patterned shawl. The bag includes text that reads, "Pratt Institute," "Lessons from the African American Garden," "Dr. Jessica B. Harris," and event details for October 23 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, with "Pratt Gala/UD" noted at the bottom. Green foliage is visible in the background.
A person wearing a black jacket is holding a tote bag. The bag features a black and white photo of a smiling older woman wearing glasses, adorned with jewelry and a colorful shawl. Text on the bag states "LESSONS FROM THE AFRICAN AMERICAN GARDEN" and "DR. JESSICA B. HARRIS," along with event details: "10/23 6:00 - 7:30 PM, PRATT GALA/UD." The background shows green foliage.
A presentation screen displaying the title "Lessons from the African American Garden," alongside an image of a woman, is positioned on a podium. A microphone is present in front of the screen. In the background, a seated audience of diverse individuals can be seen, engaging with the presentation.
A desktop monitor displays a presentation titled "Lessons from the African American Garden," featuring an image of a woman with glasses and a colorful necklace. In the background, a diverse audience is seated, with some participants appearing engaged in the talk. The setting is a seminar or lecture hall, indicated by the arrangement of chairs and tables.
A computer monitor displays a presentation titled "Lessons from the African American Garden," featuring an image of a woman smiling and holding books. In the foreground, a microphone and part of a wooden podium are visible. The background captures an audience seated and looking towards the presenter.

Speaking of Environments

9/25/2025
Catherine Ingraham, Greg Lynn, Andrew Holder, Meredith Tenhoor, Michael Osman, Marion Weiss
A digital promotional poster for an event titled "Speaking of Environments," hosted by Pratt Institute. The poster includes names of speakers: Catherine Ingraham, Meredith Tenhoor, Andrew Holder, Michael Osman, Marion Weiss, and Greg Lynn. In the background, there is a lush greenhouse setting with various plants visible. A person wearing jeans and sandals is seated nearby. The date and time of the event are noted as September 25 at 8:00 PM in Higgins Hall Auditorium.
Photograph of an outdoor campus walkway with ivy-covered ground and a person sitting against a brick building wall. Superimposed over the image is a poster for “Speaking of Environments,” presented by Pratt GA/LA/UD, listing event details and speakers including Catherine Ingraham, Meredith TenHoor, and others.
A woman speaking at a Pratt Institute auditorium, standing beside a podium with the Pratt logo. A projected image of green foliage appears behind her as she addresses the audience.
Audience members seated in a Pratt Institute auditorium, conversing before a presentation. Three individuals in the foreground are talking and smiling, while others sit and wait in the background.
A man standing behind a Pratt Institute podium, reading from notes during a lecture. A projected image is partially visible on the screen behind him as attendees listen attentively.

Pratt Sessions: Johnston Marklee

9/23/2025
Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee, Critic at Large
A person standing indoors holding a large poster featuring two individuals—one seated, one standing—promoting the “Pratt Sessions: Johnston Marklee” event. The poster includes event details for a Pratt GA/LA/UD lecture.
Close-up of the “Pratt Sessions: Johnston Marklee” poster held by a person. The design shows two people in suits positioned around a clear glass table, with event details and names displayed in minimalist black typography.
Two speakers standing at a Pratt Institute podium during a lecture. They appear to be presenting slides projected behind them, engaging the audience in a professional setting.
Three individuals standing and conversing in a Pratt Institute auditorium, dressed in formal attire and smiling. The background shows a brick wall and dim lighting typical of a post-event discussion.
A panel discussion at Pratt Institute featuring four speakers seated on red chairs in front of a large projection of an aerial cityscape. The audience listens attentively to the conversation.

Pratt Sessions: Nader Tehrani

9/15/2025
Nader Tehrani, Ted Baab, Jonas Coersmeier
A person holds a card featuring the text "PRATT SESSIONS: NADA" with details about an event dated 9/18 from 6:15 to 8:00 PM at Pratt Gallery. The individual is sitting at a desk, writing in a notebook with a blue pen, wearing a black t-shirt, and has glasses. The background appears blurred with abstract shapes.
Two people hold a small printed card featuring the “Pratt Sessions: NADAAA” promotional image of a man writing in a notebook. The background shows an architecture studio workspace with models, drawings, and Pratt-branded paper rolls.
A speaker presents at Pratt Institute’s Higgins Hall auditorium, standing at a podium before a projected image of a modern concrete building under a bright sky. The audience watches attentively from theater-style seating.
Audience members seated in an auditorium at Pratt Institute, facing a large projection screen displaying text about the Pratt Sessions lecture series. The room is well-lit, with rows of attendees focused on the presentation.
A speaker stands at the Pratt Institute podium during a lecture, presenting a slide titled “The Tectonic Grain” that displays four architectural images. The audience sits in dim lighting as they view the projected visuals.

Franklin D. Israel: A Life in Architecture

9/11/2025
Tod Gannon
Close-up of a person holding a small printed poster for the “Todd Gannon on Franklin D. Israel” book launch event at Pratt Institute. The poster features minimalist typography over a white background, with event details listed along the edges.
A person wearing a green plaid shirt holds a small printed card promoting “Todd Gannon on Franklin D. Israel,” a book launch event at Pratt Institute. The event details are displayed in clean black text on a white square.
A speaker stands at the Pratt Institute podium giving a lecture, with a large projected image of a modern architectural building labeled “Franklin D. Israel: A Life in Architecture” behind him. Audience members are seated and watching.
Two individuals sit on stage in red chairs at Pratt Institute, engaging in a discussion before a projected black-and-white image of an architect standing under a sign that reads “KARNAK.” A small table with water bottles sits between them.
Audience members seated in an auditorium at Pratt Institute watch a presentation showing architectural drawings and a color photograph of a modern house on a large projection screen. Two empty red chairs are positioned on stage.