Edward Richardson Brya, AIA

Founder

Rich is principal architect and President of Brya Architecture.  Brya and his firm have maintained a critical design practice that strives to create place specific projects uniquely suited to their clients’ needs. His work is a continuing investigation in the ways of building, and the ability to create meaningful spaces through tectonic manipulations. Brya has been a builder since 1995 as well, giving Rich and his collaborators an opportunity to carry the design ethos of a project through to the smallest details. The rigorous, careful detailing of the work has helped Brya be recognized with several AIA awards.

Rich has lived, studied and worked on both coasts and in the middle, and studied and taught in Ceurnavaca, Mexico. He earned his Master of Architecture degree at the University of Washington, and has a Bachelor of Science in Design from Clemson University. In addition to his work in practice, Brya has taught at the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington and at the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design  at the University of Arkansas.

Brya has served as the Design Awards Chair for AIA Arkansas, and has served on design awards juries for AIA Nebraska, AIA Middle Tennessee, and AIA Central States region.  He has volunteered on several National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ committees, where he helped develop content for the Architect Registration Examination. He is currently the President of AIA Arkansas, and serving on the Board of Directors.

Benjamin J. Bendall, Assoc. AIA

Benjamin is a project designer involved in all project phases from conceptualization to construction. He enjoys exploring interesting spacial and material configurations, and is excited by intersections of construction, design, psychology, and technology present in architecture. He appreciates the unique way each project coalesces from diverse visions, circumstances, and challenges into a composition for all human senses. In his work for Brya Architecture, but also in all his endevours, he maintains an esteem for authenticity of design and craft, and a respect for the natural world.

He received his Bachelor of Architecture in 2011 from the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design. While attending, he focused on the real world concepts associated with the Design-Build Program and believes in the value of design at all scales.

Benjamin is currently seeking licensure by studying for the Architectural Registration Exams.