James W Tilghman AIA  is  an award winning design leader and educator with 25 years of experience in crafting culturally significant buildings and environments.  The M12 Design consultancy is an outgrowth of his extensive experience in design leadership positions for a number of internationally renowned design practices, in an integrated, multi-disciplinary design environment.  His ability to distill and amplify key project drivers into architectural concepts of enduring value and meaning has made him, among other accomplishments, one of the most active lead designers in the GSA Design Excellence Program nationally, with 3 projects, for NASA and SSA in his professional Portfolio.



His project credits span a wide range of scales and types for clients in both the public and private sectors, including the Science and Technology, Institutional, PPP, Higher Education, Healthcare, Corporate, Infrastructure and Transportation markets. Regional clients include NASA, WMATA, MWAA, JBG Companies, Property Group Partners, University of Connecticut, Social Security Administration, Department of Defense and the US Department of State, among others.



James Tilghman is an engaging and highly accomplished design communicator. He has led project visioning and design processes   for numerous clients where complex programmatic, security, environmental, physical and technical constraints must find resolution within unique strategic design objectives. His leadership and design vision have have been essential in identifying, pursuing, winning and realizing a wide range of exceptionnel projects that engage and uplift the human spririt.  



Core Qualifications:​​​

Design Leadership

Architectural Design

Visioning Process

Design Education and Communication

Sustainable Strategies

Proposal and Pursuit

Strategic Planning

Feasibility Studies

Brand Identity 

Landscape Design

Interior Design