As a Technical Design Principal in SOM’s Los Angeles office, Tahmores “Tommy” Zandi brings more than two decades of experience leading the technical design and delivery of complex projects. His approach is grounded in technical rigor and a deep understanding of client priorities, with an emphasis on finding smart solutions that strengthen design quality, building environmental performance, and long-term value.
Tommy has dedicated a substantial part of his career to higher education, including major student housing projects at UC Santa Barbara and UC Berkeley. His experience also spans civic and institutional work, including the LAX Airport Police Facility. Across project types, he works closely with designers, engineers, builders, and clients to navigate complexity while keeping the larger ambitions of the project intact. On each project, Tommy considers how holistic climate-responsive design can contribute to healthier, more resilient, and more energy-efficient buildings.
The industry has come a long way in recognizing that sustainable design is simply responsible design. There is still a lot of work ahead to reduce carbon and make smarter solutions integral to how we design and build.
Tommy is particularly interested in how thoughtful technical decisions—including simple and passive environmental strategies—can improve performance without adding unnecessary complexity. He has contributed extensively to firmwide efforts focused on lower-carbon and healthier material specifications, collaborating with technical designers to specify the cleanest, safest, and most responsibly manufactured materials in every building. These updated decarbonized specifications are now the baseline for all projects at SOM. His broader commitment to responsible design includes serving as Chair of AIA Los Angeles’ Committee on the Environment in 2024.
