Thom Danckaert, AIA, recently joined TowerPinkster as a Senior Design Architect. To the firm, he brings more than 20 years of experience as an architect helping to shape the world of dreams for the places that people learn, live, work and play.

You’ve spent your career so far shaping the design landscape throughout the West Michigan region and beyond. What drew you to TowerPinkster?

I’m excited to be joining TowerPinkster because of the organization’s deep commitment to design leadership and design excellence. The firm has a strong history of pursuing innovative solutions and creating thoughtful environments across a wide range of project types.

What especially drew me here was the opportunity to be part of a collaborative culture that values curiosity, innovation, and the human impact of design. I’m excited to contribute to that momentum and help continue elevating the role design can play in shaping meaningful experiences for our clients and communities.

As a new Senior Design Architect, what are you most excited to accomplish in your first few months here?

I’m most excited to re-engage in the design dialogue within the communities we serve and to begin building strong relationships with clients and teammates across TowerPinkster.

I’m also excited to learn from new perspectives, contribute to a strong culture of design thinking, and help create environments that elevate the human experience through curiosity, collaboration, and thoughtful design.

In your own words, you’ve said you are an “Architect to your core.” How does that deep-rooted identity influence how you approach a brand-new project?

Being “an architect to my core” means I approach every project with curiosity, empathy, and a genuine interest in how people experience the world around them. I believe architects are uniquely trained to connect ideas, human behavior, and space in ways that can create more meaningful experiences for people and communities.

For me, every project starts with active listening. The best design solutions come from deeply understanding the people we’re designing with and for. Once trust and understanding are established, design becomes a collaborative journey of discovery — one that can create spaces that feel purposeful, inspiring, and lasting.

You mentioned a belief that architects are responsible for crafting the world around them, shaping the world of dreams for the places where we learn, live, work and play. Can you explain how you design spaces that inspire that level of multi-faceted, layered use? 

Shaping the world around us is a significant responsibility, and one that is inherently collaborative. It requires curiosity, careful investigation, and a willingness to understand deeply before moving toward solutions.

My process is iterative and grounded in close collaboration with others — clients, users, and project teams — continually refining ideas as understanding grows. I approach each project with humility, staying open to what I can learn while also bringing my experience and expertise to help guide the work forward.

The goal is to create places that reflect the aspirations of the people and communities they serve — spaces that feel thoughtful, layered, and responsive to how they are actually lived in over time.

You spent over 14 years as an Adjunct Professor at Kendall College of Art and Design. How does your background in teaching and mentoring the next generation of designers influence your daily practice as a Senior Design Architect today?

I’ve been blessed to work with many incredible colleagues and mentors throughout my career who have had a lasting impact on me, both personally and professionally. Many of those relationships extend beyond work and have become genuine friendships. The care, generosity, and knowledge they shared with me helped shape who I am as a designer and as a person.

Because of that experience, I place a strong value on mentoring and knowledge-sharing in my own practice. I’m naturally curious about what motivates and inspires others, and I enjoy helping people grow by sharing both my experiences and what I’ve learned along the way. That mindset carries directly into my daily work — whether I’m collaborating with a team, engaging clients, or helping shape design direction on projects.

You believe in volunteering your time, talents and treasures for the greater good of the community. How does strong architecture contribute to stronger communities throughout our region? 

Our communities are stronger when people have access to places that allow them to learn, live, work, play, and heal in ways that support their well-being. When spaces are designed thoughtfully, they can create a sense of joy, comfort, and belonging that helps people thrive.

For me, architecture is ultimately about elevating the human experience. When we design with respect and intention, we reinforce the idea that people matter — and that shared respect is what helps communities become stronger and more connected.