Garrett Benisch

Garrett Benisch is a Lecturer at Pratt Institute's School of Continuing & Professional Studies, with expertise spanning sustainable design, material innovation, and social impact projects. His work bridges industrial design with ecological responsibility.

• Co-founder of Sum Studio
• Project Manager for Research at Pratt Institute Research Accelerator
• Adjunct Professor in Communications Design department

Garrett's research focuses on:

• Material innovation using waste streams (biosolids, algae, fruit peels)
• Environmental sustainability through design solutions
• Community development in East Africa
• Interdisciplinary approaches combining art, science, and social activism
• Low-tool manufacturing techniques
• Temporal installations exploring ecological processes

His notable projects include the award-winning Sum Waste pen made from human sewage, algae-based edible straws, and community infrastructure developments in Rwanda and Congo. Garrett emphasizes design as a tool for maintaining positive societal momentum.