Raised in the American Midwest, Brent grew up in a family of makers—masons, carpenters, plasterers, and machinists. From a young age he developed a respect for people who work with their hands. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University. He was awarded the John Stewardson Fellowship from the University of Pennsylvania, which he used to travel throughout India to study stepwells. He was awarded the Drawing Prize from Yale University.

Brent founded Brent Buck Architects in 2018 after spending ten years apprenticing at the firm Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects.

A registered architect in the states of New York and Connecticut, Brent is a member of the American Institute of Architects and has been certified by NCARB.