Employee Spotlight: Bradley Green, AIA
From summer intern to Project Manager, Bradley Green’s career at Niles Bolton Associates has been defined by continuous growth. Over the past 10 years, he has helped shape some of the firm’s most significant student housing projects while building strong relationships with clients, mentoring emerging professionals, and embracing every opportunity to learn along the way.
Read more to see what led Bradley to NBA and what he’s been up to since joining the firm…
Tell us about your journey to architecture and how you came to Niles Bolton Associates.
My path to architecture began long before college. Growing up, I was always interested in how things worked; I used to break my toys and tinker with them. My dad and his brothers were all engineers, so although I didn’t want to do exactly what they did, I knew early on that I wanted to work in the same field. In high school I took a drafting class—that’s the first time I really fell in love with architecture and construction. We were building scale models, learning how structures worked, and understanding how all the pieces came together. Whether I was taking apart toys, building with Legos, or learning construction concepts in high school, I was drawn to understanding the systems behind buildings and spaces.
That curiosity led me to study architecture at the Savannah College of Art and Design. While at SCAD, I swam at the collegiate level; balancing architecture classes with swimming was challenging, but in many ways, it prepared me to effectively manage deadlines and people in my later professional life.
I completed my undergrad at SCAD, then got my master’s in architecture from Georgia Tech. I am grateful to SCAD for providing me with exposure to different fields through collaborative learning electives; it was through CLC electives at SCAD that I was able to develop a deeper understanding of how other professionals work and think. One of the reasons I chose SCAD for undergrad instead of GT was because GT did not allow swimming architects… but after four years of undergrad I understand why!
I joined NBA as a summer intern in 2015 and continued working part-time while finishing my education at Georgia Tech before joining the firm full-time in 2017.
What is your role at NBA, and what types of projects do you work on?
LSU Nicholson Gateway in Baton Rouge, LA
Oak Hall at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ
I serve as a Project Manager in one of our student housing studios, where I help lead large-scale campus housing developments from design through construction. My responsibilities include coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing client relationships, overseeing project schedules, and helping navigate challenges that arise throughout the life of a project.
Over the years, I’ve worked on several significant higher education housing developments, including multiple phases of student housing at Louisiana State University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Many of these projects involve thousands of beds, complex stakeholder groups, tight student move-in driven deadlines, and significant coordination between universities, consultants, contractors, and design teams. I enjoy being at the center of that process and helping bring all the moving pieces together.
What do you enjoy most about designing student housing? Is there a project that stands out as particularly meaningful?
“ When you know the parameters, you can focus on finding ways to improve the design, solve problems, and make each project better than the last.”
I enjoy the stability. Students will always need housing, and I have been fortunate enough to work with our client RISE regularly on P3 housing projects over the past decade. Fostering strong client relationships with universities who choose us again and again and creating trust by delivering quality projects with efficiency is what has helped NBA become a national leader in the student housing market.
Additionally, I like getting creative with project constraints. People sometimes think using similar unit types repeatedly would get repetitive, but for me, the constraints make the projects more interesting. When you know the parameters, you can focus on finding ways to improve the design, solve problems, and make each project better than the last. And that to me is really fun.
One project that stands out is Torchbearer Hall at the University of Tennessee. This was my first project as a Project Manager, so as construction nears completion this summer, I’m especially excited to see the building come to life and be experienced by students. It’s one of those projects where everyone involved invested a lot of effort, and I think it’s going to be something the university is really proud of.
Torchbearer Hall at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
What do you enjoy most about your work as a Project Manager?
Bradley Green and Katherine Uhrin at the 2025 AIA Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program Graduation
I enjoy the rapport that I have been able to develop with consultants and clients. Consultants are as busy as we are, but it’s nice to be able to trust they’re going to do their job right so then that way I can do my job right.
Every day is different. You might start the day with a plan, and then something comes up during construction, or a code issue needs to be resolved. Being able to work through those challenges and find solutions is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
How have you been involved in professional development and licensure support at NBA?
I’ve been actively involved in NBA’s ARE (Architectural Registration Exams) Committee with Haley DeNardo and Ruth Brooks, helping expand study resources and support for employees pursuing licensure. Having experienced the challenges of the exam process myself, I wanted to help create a stronger support system for future candidates.
We realized there was a gap. People were looking for resources and guidance, and we wanted to make sure they had what they needed. The firm was incredibly supportive, and it’s been great to see more people working toward licensure. Working with Haley and Ruth has been exciting because the ARE Committee has given us an opportunity to lead as young architects.
I’ve also participated in leadership development programs through AIA, including the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, a year-long cohort focused on teaching emerging professionals how to be change-makers, which broadened my perspective on how architects can contribute beyond project work.
It helped me understand the different ways architects can make an impact, whether that’s through community involvement, civic leadership, or by helping shape conversations about the built environment.
Who has influenced your career the most?
2018 IIDA Georgia Best of the Best Awards
Reisha Allport-Marie has been everything for me professionally. Not a day goes by that I don't appreciate everything that she's done and continues to do for me.
When I started at NBA as an intern in Dale McClain’s studio, I had the opportunity to work closely with her from the very beginning. Throughout my career, she has been a constant mentor—always honest, supportive, and willing to share her knowledge. As I progressed from intern to project manager, Reisha helped me develop not only my technical skills, but also my abilities as a communicator, problem solver, and leader. Her guidance has played a major role in shaping me as a professional. I wouldn’t be the architect I am today if she hadn’t mentored me.
What advice would you give to emerging professionals?
“Be inquisitive and keep asking questions. Take the time to research and come prepared. That’s how you grow. ”
I would encourage a readiness to fail. Don't be scared to fail over and over again. That fear was a big thing for me to overcome as a younger employee, but there's a lot of things I've learned from failing.
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to be inquisitive and keep asking questions. Take the time to research and come prepared. That’s how you grow.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my partner, Matt, attending Atlanta United matches, participating in a local bowling league, and relaxing at home. We love getting Mexican at El Azteca in Buckhead or going to McCray’s on the Beltline.
What has kept you at NBA for more than a decade? What’s next?
NBA 2025 Summer Picnic at Topgolf
As far as what’s next for me, I just want to keep getting better. There’s always something new to learn, another challenge to solve, and another opportunity to grow.
A growth mindset has always been at the center of my journey from intern to leader, and I believe my dedication to constant self-improvement will continue to shape what comes next.
The people are what have kept me here. The work is rewarding, but the people make the difference. Over time, your coworkers become like a second family. You celebrate milestones together, support each other through challenges, and build relationships that last far beyond a project.
“The people are what have kept me here. Over time, your coworkers become like a second family. You celebrate milestones together, support each other through challenges, and build relationships that last far beyond a project.”
Interested in growing your career at NBA like Bradley? Check out our careers page for more information.