Dennis Daniels

Biography

Dennis Daniels is an architect, educator, and founder of TACIT Studio Architecture, a Nashville-based practice dedicated to craft collaboration and education though  adaptive reuse, community-driven design, and resilient building strategies. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Mississippi State University and a Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech. His professional experience spans public and private sectors, including civil service and previous work in New Haven, CT and Washington, D.C., with the Architect of the Capitol. Daniels has also taught at Virginia Tech’s Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC), continuing his commitment to shaping architectural education.

At Belmont University’s O’More College of Architecture & Design, he leads the fifth-year comprehensive design studio, guiding students through the integration of technical proficiency, sustainability, and civic engagement. With a background in hands-on construction administration, large-scale public projects, and design-build integration, he brings a rare blend of craft knowledge and strategic vision to the classroom. His teaching philosophy emphasizes real-world applications, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing graduates to lead with both skill and social responsibility.

Grounded in Nashville’s Sylvan Park neighborhood, Daniels is a husband and father of three, actively involved in community life and local ministry. He and his wife Amy, also an architect, have been married for ten years and are raising their children—Aiden, Hannah, and James—with a love for creativity, nature, and service. On weekends, he can often be found playing baseball or soccer with his kids, volunteering with Preston Taylor Ministries’ Architecture Club, or attending St. George’s Episcopal Church. As the son of a pastor, Daniels remains deeply rooted in his faith, which continues to inform both his practice and pedagogy.

Through TACIT Studio, Daniels is committed to shaping built environments that strengthen community bonds and respond to ecological and cultural contexts. His goals include expanding TACIT’s portfolio of public and adaptive reuse projects, advancing equitable design practices, and mentoring the next generation of architects to lead with courage, compassion, and curiosity