Nick Brinen

Nick Brinen is an Assistant Professor of Architectural Design at James Madison University (JMU), School of Art, Design and Art History, since 2020. He is a licensed architect in Virginia, Texas, and New York, and a Founding Partner of Studio Figure, which focuses on diverse project typologies ranging from residential to mixed-use buildings. His academic work emphasizes circular economies of hyper-local materials to support community-based architecture projects, for which he received JMU's Beck Fellowship. He has taught at institutions including Rhode Island School of Design, University of Virginia, Pratt Institute, and Parsons School of Design.

Research interests include sustainable design, material innovation, and community collaboration, with a focus on redefining waste materials in architecture. Projects include design-build initiatives like the JMU Innovation Hub Living Room, Story Walk & Reading Roost, and Bike Shack. Studio Figure has won awards for the Neve Hall renovation in Charlottesville. Brinen also leads international studios, such as a course in Sweden, and has engaged in initiatives like the Children’s Museum of the Arts in NYC and exhibitions on incarceration.

His work bridges academic research and professional practice, fostering partnerships with municipalities and industry leaders to advance architectural solutions rooted in local contexts.