Rhode Island Hall was designed by James C. Bucklin, a resident of Providence, Rhode Island.

See below for links to more information on Bucklin:

• A brief overview of James Bucklin, architect of Rhode Island Hall.
• Wikipedia's entry for James C. Bucklin
• James Bucklin's page in the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame
• James C. Bucklin was also responsible for the design of Manning Hall, built 6 years earlier, as well as other notable buildings and structures around Providence: Other buildings designed by Bucklin (formerly at https://www.brown.edu/Courses/HA0191/bucklinjames_works.html, but link is no longer active.)