Clay Adams, PhD, RA, LEED AP

Architect + Planner

Clay has been shaping the built environment for nearly two decades, bringing a wealth of expertise to The Urban Collaborative, where he has been a key contributor since 2017. A LEED-certified professional since 2004 and a licensed architect since 2005, Clay’s diverse portfolio spans medical, transportation, hospitality, and corporate campus projects across the United States and internationally.

Clay’s career reflects a passion for innovation and resilience. He has led private sector research into designing and planning emergency response facilities for mass casualty events, as well as sustainable infrastructure and policy for university campuses and tier-one cities. His work bridges the gap between forward-thinking design and critical, real-world challenges.

Beyond practice, Clay is deeply committed to education. He has developed and taught courses on sustainable development and planning at the university level and for the Department of Defense, empowering the next generation of professionals with the knowledge to build a more sustainable future. His unique blend of hands-on experience and academic leadership makes him an invaluable asset to any project or team.