Christopher K. James, MNAL, Int’l Assoc. AIA

Senior Project Architect / Designer

Greater Oslo Region

About

Architect and design leader working at the intersection of regenerative, circular, and climate-positive architecture. I lead complex, interdisciplinary projects—locally and globally—spanning carbon-neutral infrastructure, adaptive reuse, and workplace transformation. Every project is grounded in living systems thinking, innovation, and performance-based sustainability. Known for building and guiding teams that deliver impactful, resilient solutions connecting design, engineering, and human behavior. Current work spans decarbonization, circularity, and material reuse—integrating AI tools to enhance insight, visual understanding, iteration, and collaboration, driving smarter design outcomes. Recent work includes: • Leading design for Fornebubanen—a nationally significant infrastructure initiative shaping future urban growth and mobility • Delivering adaptive reuse and climate-positive projects with OMA, Ennead, and William McDonough + Partners • Teaching regenerative timber architecture and material reuse at AHO’s Systems Oriented Design program Committed to advancing architecture that serves both people and planet—and always open to collaborating with others driving change through design, systems thinking, and emerging technologies.

Experience

  • Perkins&Will (Full-time · 7 mos)
    • Senior Project Architect / Designer
      Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

    • Living Design Resource Team
      Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

  • The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (On-site)
    • Academic Sensor (External Examiner) – Systems Design Master’s Program
      Nov 2025 - Present · 9 mos

      Served as academic sensor for master’s students’ final systemic design review, evaluating early-phase design inquiry through participatory gigamapping. Emphasized theoretical framing, systemic coherence, and designer agency in addressing complex, multi-scalar architectural and urban contexts.

    • Systems Oriented Design Context Advisor
      Aug 2024 - Feb 2026 · 1 yr 7 mos

      External Academic Reviewer. Systems Oriented Design, Regenerative Processes and Methodologies

  • Creative Director at sustain.lab
    Jun 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 2 mos

    Sustain.lab is a value-driven platform for systemic design, bridging academia and practice to foster circularity and regenerative potential in the built environment. Specializing in biomaterials, adaptive reuse, and AI tools to uncover new possibilities in existing structures, driving sustainable innovation and transformative urbanism

  • Design Prosjektleder i Fornebubanen , Circular Design Coordinator at A-lab
    Apr 2017 - Sep 2024 · 7 yrs 6 mos

    Led the design and delivery of Norway’s most complex infrastructure project, managing cross-disciplinary teams and embedding sustainable strategies across all phases

  • Senior Design Architect at DARK Arkitekter
    Nov 2012 - Apr 2017 · 4 yrs 6 mos