ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Pratt Institute interior design students propose underground community hub

architecture-design · 2026-07-07

Pratt Institute's BFA Interior Design Thesis projects include a proposal to transform the 14th Street–Union Square subway station into a community transit hub with markets, art, and performances. Other projects feature a bodega as a civic monument, a wildlife centre in the Williamsburg Bridge, a bathhouse on the Gowanus Canal addressing water contamination, and a network of youth creative spaces in NYC public housing. The thesis programme culminates in a one-year project under advisors Melissa Cicetti, Ji Young Kim, John Nafziger, and Alexander Schweder.

Key facts

  • Pratt Institute BFA Interior Design Thesis projects were featured on Dezeen.
  • Nathipong Piromtheeravanich proposed 'Above and Below' for 14th Street–Union Square station.
  • Kiana Abraham's 'The Corner That Knew Your Name' reframes bodegas as civic monuments.
  • Sophie Betz Buckingham designed 'The Nesting Ground' in the Williamsburg Bridge.
  • Rahil Nimesh Mandalia's bathhouse on the Gowanus Canal filters contaminated water.
  • Alvin You's 'Connective Tissue' proposes creative spaces in NYC public housing.
  • Tutors include Melissa Cicetti, Ji Young Kim, John Nafziger, and Alexander Schweder.
  • The thesis is completed within one year under a thesis advisor.

Entities

Artists

  • Kiana Abraham
  • Sophie Betz Buckingham
  • Hwanoh (Alex) Cho
  • Chulin (Carina) Deng
  • Jiaqi Gao
  • Ruhani Kathuria
  • Xinyi (Tiffany) Xu
  • Alvin You
  • Rahil Nimesh Mandalia
  • Nathipong Piromtheeravanich

Institutions

  • Pratt Institute
  • School of Design
  • Dezeen

Locations

  • New York City
  • Williamsburg Bridge
  • Gowanus Canal
  • 14th Street–Union Square
  • Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
  • Pier 57

Sources