- Research Area(s)
Biography
Tommy James, AIA, LEED AP, is a licensed architect, educator, and placemaking researcher at UCF. He currently serves as Associate Professor and Chair of the Architecture Program, where he leads initiatives to connect design education with community engagement.
James holds a Master of Architecture with a minor in Urban Planning and a Certificate in Sustainable Design from the University of Florida. With over 15 years of professional experience, he has worked on projects ranging from theme parks and healthcare facilities to mixed-use developments and architectural lighting.
At UCF, he developed the Pipeline to Better Placemaking, a six-step model using digital tools, behavioral mapping, and augmented reality to teach and co-design public spaces with local communities. His interdisciplinary research integrates architecture, psychology, computer science, and urban planning, and has been presented at venues like the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and the EDRA conference in Mexico City.
- College
- College of Arts and Humanities
