Utah is known for being the central state for mining, information technology, cattle ranching, and government services. As one of the west’s fastest-growing states, Utah is the 30th most populous state in the country. Over the years, it has been reported to have low housing costs, low cost of living, and low crime rates all of which have contributed to it becoming a great living spot.
This list of the best residential architects in Utah includes professionals who not only have years of experience working for the locals in this state but are also award-winning architects who have gained both local and global attention from various industry publications for crafting functional and imaginative homes that further improve Utah’s scenic horizon.
Lloyd Architects
573 East 600 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Dedicated to design excellence, Lloyd Architects specializes in both residential and public projects. From modern urban to historic neighborhoods, the firm executes projects with practical elegance resulting in timeless and meaningful spaces. Over the years, Lloyd Architects has been featured in publications like Dwell, Design Milk, and Utah Style and Design. Its projects have also gained awards like the American Institute of Architects (AIA)’s Utah Merit Award and Utah Honor Award alongside the Utah Heritage Foundation Award. Currently, the firm is managed by principal Warren Lloyd who has years of varied experience and education under his belt, including spatial patterns in traditional Japanese architecture.
Photo by Melissa Kelsey
Jaffa Group
4490 N Forestdale Dr. Ste. #202, Park City, UT 84098
Jaffa Group provides clients with bespoke architecture, meticulous construction, and sophisticated interiors. This mix of design results into one of a kind luxury homes that can present various styles including the modern, contemporary, and ranch styles. Over the years, these aesthetic homes have also become functional, sustainable pieces that can cope with the environmental changes at present. These projects have honored the firm with features in Builder Magazine, Dwell, Utah Style & Design, and even highlights its history of winning awards like the Home Builders Association of Utah’s Green Build Home of the Year Award. Among its many eye-catching projects, its most notable residential home is White Pine Canyon VI. Presenting a mountain contemporary style, the house’s design follows the ridge it’s set on and was built in sections to harmonize with its surroundings. Within 15,000 square feet, the home is a comfortable and intimate piece that can be enjoyed by both small groups or large gatherings.
Klima Architecture
370 Crestview Dr., Park City, UT 84098
Established in 2009, Klima Architecture is known for having projects that are driven by multi-generational goals and an ecological approach to all its work. Over the years, its work has expanded from single-family homes to multi-family complexes, commercial work, and even craft-making—skills that have been featured in publications like Home World Design, Outside Magazine, Builder Magazine, and Contemporist among many others. Among its feature-worthy projects, its most notable one is the Meadows Haus in Park Meadows. Designed to pass the passive house standards, the Meadow Haus’s walls have been articulated over and around neighboring homes to the southern mountain views. Its flat roofs meanwhile are activated with rooftop decks that help make the living area more spacious through glass sliding doors.
Think Architecture
7927 South High Point Parkway Ste. #300, Sandy, UT 84094
Think Architecture is the result of putting together three firms. Though it was only established in 2012, its team has more than 90 years of combined experience and practices interior design, architecture, landscape architecture, and land planning for both the public and private sectors. After more than three decades of practice, Think Architecture is known as one of the largest and most respected firms in the state offering such services. Recently, its work has gained the firm features from Utah Business Magazine and Engineering News-Record (ENR).
Upwall Design Architects
1930 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
By blending the art of hand-sketching with high-tech computer-aided design, Upwall Design Architects has crafted custom homes similar to high art. Over the years, its approach to design has brought it recognition from publications like Modern Luxury, Mountain Living, and several issues of Utah Style and Design. These are just some of the publications that have recognized its full-scale, three-dimensional designs that fit seamlessly into the landscape. Currently, the firm is guided by founder Michael Upwall who believes that a beautiful home is an extension of the landscape. With this approach, Upwall Design Architects incorporates its design approach by designing structures that can withstand extreme environments and still have cutting-edge designs.
McQuay Architects, PPLC
1449 North 1400 West Ste. #16, Saint George, UT 84770
Since 1980, McQuay Architects has been working on commercial and residential work. Currently, the firm is guided by founder and principal architect, Rob McQuay. During his 36-year career, Mcquay has headed more than 1,000 projects in various markets including hotels, restaurants, lodges, multi-family complexes, and medical and educational facilities among several other markets. These days, the firm has been known for creating exclusive desert and mountain residential and resort properties that include several multi-million dollar luxury parade homes and other published works. Over the years, it has been featured in publications like Luxury Houses, Utah Style & Design, and Western Art & Architecture among many other publications.
ajc architects
703 E 1700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
ajc architects was founded in 1991. Since its founding, it has completed a large number of projects in various markets. So far, its portfolio flaunts corporate offices, financial institutions, commercial and retail structures, national corporations and small businesses, higher education facilities, and private residences among many others. Its residential projects in particular boast a variety of styles including sleek modern homes. However, in every style, homes by ajc architects present designs that show the team’s dedication to economical and environmentally sustainable design. Among its different projects, its most notable one is the Aloha residence which involved renovating the home to come up with a design that combines the lines of mid-century design and the open airy elements of modern living. Projects like these have gained the firm attention from publications like American Spa Magazine, Utah Construction & Design Magazine, Hospitality Design Magazine, and Engineering News-Record (ENR).
Clayton Vance Architecture
345 W 600 South Ste. #108, Heber City, UT 84032
Clayton Vance Architecture is the result of years of experience with classical architecture. Prior to its establishment in 2013, the firm’s founder Clayton Vance studied classical architecture and traditional urbanism at the University of Notre Dame. His work has brought him to places like New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, and Indiana alongside Utah. The firm’s timeless architecture has gained attention from publications like WD Design Collective, Utah Style & Design, and the Park City Area Showcase of Homes. Over the years, the firm’s portfolio has flaunted homes that present styles like the modern, contemporary, traditional, and colonial styles.
Otto Walker Architects
2200 Park Ave. Ste. C201, Park City, UT 84060
Crafting functional and beautiful pieces has always been Otto Walker Architects’ motive. Since its establishment way back in 1987, the firm has been known for crafting residences that have expansive views and generous solar exposure that take advantage of the topography. Over the years, the firm has been featured in publications like Utah Style & Design, DeCaro Luxury Auctions, and Dezeen. Currently, the firm is managed by co-founders Richard Otto and Mark Walker. Prior to the firm, Sotto has designed and seen the completion of several single-family homes, commercial projects, multi-family projects, and many remodels. Walker meanwhile has overseen the construction of 11 high-end multi-family projects and a plethora of single-family homes alongside many other commercial buildings.
Bridgwater Consulting Group
6443 N. Business Park Loop Rd. Ste. #10, Park City, UT 84098
Bridgwater Consulting Group has been a specialist in crafting architectural designs since 1981. With extensive experience in various other markets, the firm aims to enhance living spaces and turn them into unique, timeless spaces. Over time, its designs have won five national awards for the best home in the country and it has also gained attention from publications like Luxury Real Estate, Architect Magazine, Country French, and Home Magazine among many others.
gigaplex ARCHITECTS
1255 Iron Horse Dr., Park City, UT 84060
Tucked within the company of nature and the community, gigaplex ARCHITECTS designs and builds according to the principles of its community. Committed to enhancing the joy of living and being “life-specific” in its projects, gigaplex ARCHITECTS is globally recognized and has been the topic of interest for publications like Utah Style & Design, Small House Swoon, and ArchDaily. It has also won the 2018 Architecture, Construction, and Design award. Among its most notable pieces is the Oak Hill residence which is most distinguished for its collection of glass windows. An extension of openings for natural light and ventilation, it keeps the home open and airy, working as a transition between the outdoors and indoors.
Babcock Design Group
52 Exchange Place, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Founded in 1984, Babcock Design Group is an interdisciplinary firm focused on architecture, planning, and interior design services. Since its establishment, it has created residential homes in various styles including the ranch, cabin, modern, contemporary, and traditional styles. Among these homes, the most distinctive one is the Foothills residence. Designed to host the owner’s black-tie events, this elegant residence captures panoramic views from the foothills of Salt Lake City by floor-to-ceiling glazing that is used throughout the home. Limestone cladding and aluminum finish panels soften the home’s bold angles while the outreaching cantilevered roof provides a strong contemporary look and protection from the sun. Some of the home’s amenities include a swimming pool, an elevator, a basketball court, and a home theater.
Constantino Grandjacquet Architect
1200 C Iron Horse Dr., Park City, UT 84060
Established in 1984, Constantino Grandjacquet Architect has completed residences in various styles including the modern, contemporary, and ranch styles. Currently, the firm is still managed by founding principal Constantino Grandjacquet. Prior to the firm, Grandjacquet began his architectural studies at Universita degli Studi ‘La Sapienza’. After moving to Utah, Grandjacquet has been designing custom homes in Park City, providing such homes since 1993.
Hebdon Studios, LLC
740 East 3900 South Ste. #302, Millcreek, UT 84107
Hebdon Studios’ commitment to enhancing and protecting both natural and cultural environments of the communities has been its core since its establishment in 2017. The firm is most recognized for presenting projects that consider material relationships, space-making, the use of natural lighting, and meticulous attention to detail for homes in modern, traditional, and colonial styles and other commercial structures. Regardless of the type of project, the firm makes it a point to promote community engagement and interaction.
Home builder: Robison Home Builders; Photographer: Rebekah Westover
HKG Architecture
4471 Highland Dr., Holladay, UT 84124
Established in 1985, HKG Architecture has been known for being an award-winning firm. Its team offers a plethora of skills that involve a flair that’s spun by whimsicality and a “why not” attitude that results in the creation of functional yet imaginative homes. Over the years, these homes have come in a variety of styles—a testament to the team’s craftsmanship skills and the firm’s take on not restraining itself to a signature look. The firm’s projects are currently guided by co-founders Tim Turner, Tim Wyatt, and Kirby Kirkman who put together their design experience to provide clients with attentive customer services.
