Brown University Brook Street Residence Halls receive 2026 AIA NY Design Award
January 21, 2026
TenBerke has received an AIA New York Merit Award in the Educational category for Brown University’s Brook Street Residence Halls. The buildings provide an inviting residential community that will re‑shape Brown’s connection to its surrounding neighborhood. Driven by the University’s mission to increase undergraduate housing, this 125,500-square-foot project introduces 353 beds and an improved public pedestrian experience along an important north-south corridor in Providence’s East Side. The design utilizes a refined selection of brick, terracotta, and wood that honors the local architectural character. To ensure long-term sustainability, the residence halls feature an all-electric, high-performance system with a hybrid steel and cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, significantly reducing the project’s carbon footprint.
“We set out to create a project that truly feels accessible,” says Senior Principal Noah Biklen. “That means generous paths, lots of places to sit, integrated landscapes with bio-swales and raingardens, mass-timber, and no fossil fuels. It was about creating an inviting place that is deeply sustainable and encourages community for the long haul.”
