About TJPA
TJPA is a Chicago-based architectural design, consulting, and leadership firm backed by 30 years of hands-on project experience, market insight, and design excellence in the industry.
Dedicated to fostering great design while leading multidisciplinary teams in pursuit of innovative solutions, with a particular emphasis on mass timber, adaptive reuse, large-scale multifamily residential development, hospitality, commercial, and student living projects on a national scale.
Thomas J Pope | Founder
Tom is a Chicago native and longtime resident of the Lincoln Square neighborhood. He began his career with large-scale adaptive reuse projects, transforming historic industrial high-rises in the West Loop, Fulton Market, and River North into luxury loft residences. This foundation in preservation and historic detail instilled a lasting appreciation for masonry, heavy timber, and the importance of contextual design.
Building on that experience, Tom has become a leader in the multifamily mass timber market, including his work on INTRO Cleveland—one of the nation’s largest completed residential mass timber developments. His expertise lies in high-level project visioning, client engagement, and guiding multidisciplinary teams to deliver creative and cohesive developments.
Beyond architecture, Tom brings the same passion and discipline to personal pursuits such as marathon, triathlon, and Ironman racing, piloting, music, and travel. These experiences continually shape the creativity, perspective, and energy he brings to his professional work.
Philosophy
TJPA’s philosophy is rooted in creating places that feel authentic, timeless, and connected to their surroundings. Inspired by Chicago’s legacy of masonry and timber lofts, the practice blends the influences of historic architecture with the character of modern mass-timber design. Every project begins with context—understanding the site, the story, and the people it serves—then layers in craftsmanship, sustainability, and hospitality-driven design. The result is architecture that is warm and enduring, yet forward-looking, delivering distinctive residences and spaces that elevate everyday living while aligning with market vision and long-term value.