Brent A. Brown ’90

Brent A. Brown is an architect who works to advance the public interest. He credits his parents for instilling an empathetic work ethic and Texas A&M University for introducing him to the power of design. His work has included affordable architecture, community development, cultural placemaking, city planning, urban design, disaster recovery and public green space initiatives. Through his leadership and commitment to equity, he built one of the nation’s leading public interest design practices, helped municipal governments prioritize design in decision-making, and established the foundation for some of Texas’ largest new public parks. Recognizing the limitations of architectural practice in overcoming historical inequities in our cities and towns, Brown founded buildingcommunity WORKSHOP to unite design, community engagement, and advocacy for social and economic justice. As a nonprofit creative practice, bcWORKSHOP empowers positive change within communities across Texas while serving as a training ground for hundreds of young architects.

He also started and directed the Dallas CityDesign Studio, an embedded creative practice within city government, shaping billions of dollars of infrastructure, land use and private development. Complementing this work, Brown led the Trinity Park Conservancy in establishing a 100-year transformative vision while raising more than $100 million toward a new park on Dallas’ Trinity River. Brown continues practicing architecture, counseling civic leaders and advocating for more equitable places through design.

Brown has been recognized as a winner of numerous local, national and international awards for his exceptional architecture and community development contributions. Notable among his accolades is the Rudy Bruner Award Silver Medal, a testament to his innovative and impactful work. His inclusion in Copper-Hewitt’s exhibition, “By the People: Designing a Better America,” further underscores his influence and the significance of his work.

Brown resides in Dallas with his partner, Julia; teenage son, Elliott; and their two dogs, Kanga and Roo.