With remote and hybrid schedules now the norm for many, the home has become more than just a living space. It’s also a workspace, studio, classroom, and sometimes, all of the above.
But turning your home into a productive, focused environment isn’t always easy. For anyone daydreaming about a smarter work-from-home setup, check out a few recent Pratt student projects offering creative ways to reimagine how we work and live.
Having a clear sense of the day’s responsibilities is essential, especially when working remotely. Anunay Chauhan, BFA Communications Design ’25, developed Sidekick, a digital task manager and information display that helps users stay focused. Instead of reaching for your smartphone when the alarm goes off, grab Sidekick to start your morning with intention, and then carry it with you throughout the day to stay focused and informed.
Dining and coffee tables often double as desks in New York City apartments, making it difficult to establish healthy boundaries and minimize distractions. HsinTzu (Cindy) Chang, MID ’25, addressed this with Efficio: ADHD-friendly Furniture for Adults, a rotational table with built-in partitions designed to restore clarity and control to shared spaces.
“Efficio helps users easily shift between tasks, minimize distractions, and visually organize their work,” Chang wrote as part of the project.
Movement throughout the day is key to reducing neck, shoulder, and back pain. Alex Wang, MID ’25, created Stretch Prompt: Standing Relief for Office Wellness, a sleek wall-mounted system that encourages regular stretching. Users can lean into soft cushions to perform chin tucks, arm stretches, and shoulder openers.
When it’s time to refuel, Novora makes the kitchen smarter. Designed by Efe Gulboy, BID ’25, this intelligent range hood tracks ingredients in your fridge, suggests recipes, and monitors temperature and air quality while you cook.
For experimental cooks, Rohini Raj Rajan, Gloria Yang, Conner Meek, and Claire Paisley (all MSIXD ’26) designed Chef’d, a hands-free recipe app that lets users track and personalize their culinary creations. With voice-activated input, it’s possible to document real-time changes to any dish, making it easy to compare versions and see what works best.
In a city filled with construction noise, traffic, and sirens, quiet can be hard to come by. EchoMesh, by Yizhang Yan, MID ’25, provides city dwellers with a simple way to block noise pollution. The acoustic panel slots into a window frame and can be removed just as easily, enabling peace and quiet.
