James Hughes is a registered architect and founder of the Angeles Recovery Collective (ARC), a pro bono nonprofit dedicated to providing wildfire-impacted communities with rapid housing solutions and resilient rebuilding strategies. Established in response to the Eaton and Palisades Fires, ARC works to streamline recovery efforts through expert guidance and sustainable design practices.

Hughes has over a decade of experience in architecture, having worked at firms including Gensler Los Angeles and MAD Beijing. He studied at Pratt Institute and the Bauhaus in Weimar, shaping a design approach that balances innovation with contextual sensitivity. He is licensed in California, Connecticut, Texas, and Tennessee and holds LEED GA and NCARB certifications.

In addition to his work with ARC, Hughes is the Principal Architect at M-Rad, a contemporary architecture firm specializing in hospitality and residential projects.