Thomas Gensheimer

Thomas Gensheimer is a Professor of Architectural History at Savannah College of Art and Design, where he has taught since 2000. He holds a Ph.D. in Architecture and a B.A. in Anthropology from UC Berkeley. His research specializes in Swahili urbanism, cross-cultural architectural exchange, and heritage stewardship.

Gensheimer's work explores globalization's impact on medieval East African architecture, with particular focus on merchant houses, tomb structures, and urban development along the Swahili Coast. His publications examine how built environments reflect cultural interaction between African, Islamic, and Indian Ocean civilizations.

Notable awards include:

• Two SCAD Presidential Fellowships (2015, 2012)
• Fulbright Research Fellowship to Kenya (1993-1994)
• Multiple UC Berkeley research and teaching awards