Prateek Rajbhandari's Photography and Engineering

NAME: Prateek Rajbhandari

WORK: Prateek is an adaptive equipment designer at the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, and is a contributing photographer to several newspapers, including the New York Times Already an accomplished photographer when he came to Hampshire, Prateek continued his study of photography as well as learning design and fabrication with a focus on human-powered technology. His Division III included the EV-XI, a collaborative design/build project of an electric vehicle, as well as a black and white photography installation.

HCLC EXPERIENCE: Already an accomplished photographer when he came to Hampshire, Prateek continued his study of photography as well as learning design and fabrication with a focus on human-powered technology. His Division III included the EV-XI, a collaborative design/build project of an electric vehicle, as well as a black and white photography installation.  Read more>>

IN YOUR OWN WORDS: “I need a reason and motivation to learn what I am learning and to be able to test its applicability while doing so. Hampshire’s educational structure lets me do just that.”

Green Dreams

Aaron Wieler

Art and Social Change in Atlanta

Accessible Online Games

Purposeful Construction

NAME: Benjamin Obriecht

WORK: Ben is the founder of Humble Abode Design-Build, a western Massachusetts based design and construction business specializing in simple designs that use sustainable materials and provide quality craftsmanship for a wide variety of budgets.

HCLC EXPERIENCE: Ben maintained a fascination with woodworking throughout his Hampshire career. As a Harkness Fund recipient, Ben hand-carved a wooden wind turbine that he designed to be sculptural as well as functional. For his Division III, Ben designed and built a timber framed teahouse that drew upon elements of Japanese and American construction.  Read more>

IN YOUR OWN WORDS: "There is definitely a value placed on a craft like timber framing. There are a lot of people who want something that was connected to a person."

Community Connections Through Art

Ergonomic Instruments

Janterm Class Builds Mobile Solar Charging Station

On a Bicycle Built for You

NAME: Niall Gengler

WORK: Bicycle Frame Designer/Builder, Small Business Owner

HCLC EXPERIENCE: After completing his self-designed study in bicycle design and fabrication at Hampshire, Niall started NFG Cycles, a custom bicycle frame business that also provides bicycle repair, welding, machining and metalwork services. He has opened his own shop in Easthampton, Massachusetts, and continues to mentor students and assist in the shop at the Lemelson Center for Design.

IN YOUR OWN WORDS: “You’re in the middle of this incredible environment where people are working on all different kinds of things. There’s so much you can do, and definitely a lot you can learn from the people working around you.”