Trudy Brens is a Dominican American Architect and Chair of NYIT School of Architecture, where she has been a faculty member since 2013. Her pedagogical approach is rooted in exploration and discovery, placing emphasis on research, and the critical thinking process. She has led and coordinated architecture studios across academic levels and programs.
As a practicing licensed architect, Brens explores multiple scales and building typologies. She has made professional contributions at world renowned architectural firms where she worked on award-winning projects such as Gannett / USA Today Headquarters, the Museum of Modern Art expansion, and 5 Times Square in New York City. She is the founding partner of Brens + Petruccelli Architects, a multidisciplinary research and design practice established in 2003.
Brens holds a Bachelor of Architectural Technology from the NYIT School of Architecture and Design, and a Master of Architecture from Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research. She has served as guest review critic at Columbia University, Fashion Institute of Technology, the New York School of Interior Design, Parsons School of Design, and Pratt Institute. Brens is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Organization of Minority Architects. She contributed to the formation and served as Faculty Advisor for the inaugural NYIT SoAD NOMA Student chapter at the Old Westbury Campus.
Courses Taught at New York Tech
- AAID 101 Design Fundamentals I
- AAID 102 Design Fundamentals II
- AAID 140 Visualization I
- AAID 160 Intro to History, Theory, and Criticism in Architecture
- ARCH 201 Architectural Design I
- ARCH 202 Architectural Design II
- DSGN 102 Interior Environments I
- DSGN 383 ID Marketing and Branding
- DSGN 483 ID Business and Management