Critical Conversations: bridging pathways forward to greater understanding and creative solutions.

Pratt Public Earth Sphere [Peace]

By Rafael De Balanzo Joue

"The Pratt Public Earth Sphere (PPES), an innovative transdisciplinary project, reimagines the Pratt Public Sphere (PPS) as a dynamic living lab for climate education and community engagement in front of changes. Led by faculty from Pratt’s Schools of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Fine Art, and Architecture—alongside interdisciplinary artists, environmental scientists, and architects—the project fosters experiential learning in sustainability, environmental science, and urban resilience.

At its core, the PPES initiative retrofits a 20-foot-tall geodesic dome into an interactive educational living lab. This structure serves as a platform for hands-on arts, architecture, design and environmental science workshops, where participants explore data collection, climate quality monitoring, and materials science. Through immersive activities such as walkshops, climate memory focus groups, and cooperative emergent actions, students and community members will engage with STEAM disciplines in innovative ways. The dome’s sustainable retrofit will further serve as a counter-classroom case study in eco-friendly architecture, greenhouse applications, and resilient design.

The project aligns with Pratt’s Campus Climate Action Plan (CAP) and expands its impact through external collaborations. Partnering with North Star, a non-profit supporting climate resilience in Indigenous Arctic communities, PPES integrates real-world applications of geodesic dome structures in sustainable food production and community resilience efforts.

Beyond its initial era, PPES aims to secure additional grants and partnerships to expand its reach through exhibitions, conference presentations, and interdisciplinary publications. By cultivating transdisciplinary collaboration and environmental consciousness, PPES embodies a forward-thinking approach to education, ecological stewardship, and community-driven climate action."

A class gathers inside a transparent geodesic dome where an instructor stands and addresses seated students. The dome interior features wood framing, string installations, a red tool cart, and scattered chairs—suggesting a creative studio or workshop session.
A wall-mounted poster titled
A group of students sits on folding chairs labeled
Students gather around a long table outside near a white geodesic dome while participating in a group discussion. The setting is lush with flowering trees and greenery, and one student appears to be giving a short presentation or speech to the group.
Inside a translucent white tent structure, a faculty member in a white shirt and green cap speaks to a group of students. The environment is casual, with natural light pouring in through the clear tent walls and people standing or checking their phones.
Processed with VSCO with fs16 preset
A printed visual diagram with overlapping colored circles indicates collaborative areas between social science, sustainability, STEM, and design schools. Each circle is labeled with academic programs or initiatives, representing interdisciplinary learning at Pratt Institute.

  • Rafael De Balanzo Joue

    Rafael de Balanzo Joue is teaching two courses [Ecology for Architects & Sustainable Communities course] at the  Pratt School of Architecture (SoA) for undergraduate and graduate level at the Graduate Center of…