Born in Oswego, NY, Andrea graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1975 and received her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Virginia. She worked for several major architectural firms in New York and Philadelphia before winning the Rome Prize, one of her field’s most prestigious awards, in 1979. Her creativity attracted the attention of several architectural schools and led to teaching appointments at Harvard and Syracuse University.
Andrea fell in love with Naples when designing a retirement home for her parents, Alan and Marilyn Brown. In 1986 she opened an office in Naples, where her practice grew steadily. Over the next three decades she designed more than two dozen memorable residences and commercial buildings as well as civic projects that have contributed to Naples’s growing reputation for distinctive architecture. These include the Naples Players Sugden Community Theatre, the city’s two trellised parking structures, and several houses of worship. Her design of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Naples resulted in the church being named one of Florida’s Best 100 Buildings in 100 Years by the American Institute of Architects. Brown helped shape major planning projects in Naples supporting the renovation of the commercial downtown and had served as chair of the Naples Planning Advisory Board.
Her architectural philosophy was to create unique interior and exterior spaces for each client, with soaring ceilings, light infused cupolas, and beautifully integrated vistas from each window. In 2019 her architectural gifts earned her the Medal of Honor for Design, the Florida AIA’s highest award—an especially notable achievement for a woman in a traditionally male-dominated profession. She also designed and curated the Up Art Contemporary Gallery in Naples with her husband, artist John Carroll Long. Andrea was also an accomplished pianist and every office of hers had a grand piano that she played daily.
Above all, Andrea was a creative, vibrant, optimistic presence whose energy lit up any room that she entered. She will be sorely missed by the family members and friends who loved her and the many Floridians who appreciate contemporary architecture.
She is survived by her husband, John Long; her mother, Marilyn M. Brown; and her sister and brother-in-law, Stacy and David Vermylen, all of Naples; and her brother, Michael F. Brown and his partner, Cece Derringer, of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes gifts in Andrea’s name to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or Bryn Mawr College. A Mass and celebration of her life will be held in the fall in Naples.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the Brown family.
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