Skip to main content
UMass Collegiate M The University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
  • Search UMass.edu
College of Natural Sciences College of Natural Sciences

Main navigation

  • Academics
    Undergraduate programsGraduate programsCertificate programsFlexible and online learningAll academic programsCourses
    See all departments
    AdvisingStudent resourcesScholarshipsDegree requirementsCareer Center
  • Research
    Research centers & institutesUndergraduate researchGreenhousesIndustry partnershipsResearch supportCNS Bridge and Seed Funding (BSF) programScientific glassblowing laboratory
  • Campus & Outreach
    Diversity, Equity & InclusionOffice of Student Success & DiversityEureka!Community ConnectionsGivingCenter for Agriculture, Food, and the EnvironmentUMass Extension
  • About
    NewsStoriesEventsPeopleMeet the leadershipBuildings and facilitiesContact
    Information for faculty & staffInformation for alumni

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. Directory
Image
Man with glasses, blue sweatshirt and shirt

Kent Hicks

Adjunct Professor

Contact details

Contact

Email: khicks [at] umass [dot] edu
Phone: (413) 296-0123

About

Mr. Hicks is the principal of East Branch Studio (EBS), the parent company for East Branch Homes (EBH), a builder of high performance homes in Western Massachusetts. The focus of the company’s construction services encompasses custom healthy net-zero homes, passivhaus, energy retrofits and offers full design services. Additionally EBS is involved with teaching and assisting with community projects.

He currently co-teaches BCT’s contribution to our DesignBuild curriculum, which in Spring 2022 led to the construction of the Hygge House, an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) that had a temporary stop as an Auxiliary Stage at the Green River Festival before it moved to its final site in Holyoke, MA. There it will be a contributor to One Holyoke CDC’s effort to address affordable housing for qualified families.

Additionally, Mr. Hicks is focused on environmental and climate equity while collaborating with non-profit organizations working locally and globally. He has learned a great deal from these organizations in supporting education, employment and community engagement in the various projects while lowering carbon emissions and planning for climate resiliency. He has also written and lectured extensively on these topics. Mr. Hicks’ connection with the Natural Environment is in synchrony with his expertise in the Built Environment. Mr. Hicks is nationally known for his background and experience in both wilderness survival and tracking. He has been a contributor and consultant to both literary efforts and law enforcement and search and rescue training programs.

Primary Interests

  • Design-build programs
  • High-performance construction

Related departments

  • Environmental Conservation

Site footer

College of Natural Sciences
  • X
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Find us on YouTube
  • Find us on LinkedIn
  • Find us on Instagram
Address

101 Stockbridge Hall
80 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9248
United States

Phone number
(413) 545-2766

Info for...

  • Current students
  • Faculty and staff
  • Alumni

Academics

  • Explore our programs
  • Departments

The college

  • About CNS
  • News
  • Events

Contact

  • Contact CNS
  • Directory

Global footer

  • ©2025 University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Site policies
  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination notice
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of use