Our Unique Approach
Jacoby Architects is an award winning architecture firm that focuses on creating one-of-a-kind projects. Our passion, our custom approach, and our relentless care generate highly innovative designs and unparalleled client service; a service that has been described by clients as feeling like a part of our family. Every project that we tackle gets the attention of our entire firm as we look for opportunity in every square inch to make it the next, most special project we have completed.


Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is built upon listening. Clients like us because we are friendly, attentive, and put simply – we just care more! When we leave our egos at the door, it allows us to create designs that are entirely appropriate for the client, for the building, and for the site. We never try to force a style or a look; because if you’re not excited, then we’re not excited.
A Meaningful Process
Joe Jacoby
Optimist, visionary, leader—these are just a few of our favorite things about Joe. Owner of Jacoby Architects, he earned his Bachelor and Master of Architecture from UC Berkeley. Well-traveled, Joe spent a few years practicing architecture in San Francisco and London. Always sketching and creating in the office, Joe looks for every opportunity to make spaces interesting. Driving the conceptual foundation of our projects, from imagination to construction, he seeks to find the wow factor in each of our clients’ unique lists of spaces and programs. Inspired by the mountains and deserts of Utah, his designs complement the site while providing for the needs of the building’s occupants. One to dislike “can’t”, Joe can provide you with the stunning and functional building you’re looking for.
Kraig Wilkes
As a northern Utah native growing up in a small town, Kraig attained an early appreciation for the beauty of nature and the importance of sustainability. With a family of close-knit DIYers, he became well-versed in the creative process and in the critical role that teamwork can play in accomplishing a common goal. Kraig discovered Jacoby Architects while earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Utah. Now as a Project Architect, Kraig is often the right-hand man and go-to guy of the office. His patience, good-natured attitude, care, and expertise translate to complete quality in the buildings he skillfully designs.
Khue Ho
Khue joins our team all the way from Vietnam. With an M.A. degree in Interior Design from Sheffield Hallam University, Khue’s breadth of knowledge, based on her experiences working in the interior design world of Vietnam, has become a valuable resource for our entire firm. Her design work is characterized by empathy and awareness, the same traits she displays in her interpersonal communications. Khue not only works incredibly hard but plays hard too. She enjoys traveling, and while Europe has been her favorite destination to date, she’s looking forward next to exploring the various regions of Peru.
Rodrigo Schmeil
A passionate world explorer, Rodrigo spent most of his childhood in Brazil until he was drawn to Italy to study architecture. He is a licensed architect in Brazil and is currently taking the exams to become licensed in the state of Utah. Not one to be scared of new challenges, Rodrigo loves to explore new materials and design options to make architecture more functional and remarkable for those experiencing it. As he sets out to incorporate the cultural inspirations from his adventures into his projects, he can be found sharing those worldly perspectives as inspiration to others when designing.
Eric Jacoby
Ever the kinetic learner, Eric loves figuring out how things work and how they’re built. He is also inspired by visuals, explaining the wanderlust which has driven him to sketch old buildings across the globe. However, sketching hasn’t been his only international pursuit. After earning his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Utah and his Master of Architecture from UC Berkeley, Eric spent two years working as an architect in San Francisco followed by three years in the busy hubs of Amsterdam, London, and Edinburgh, and the next 10+ years working here at Jacoby Architects. Pursuing his hands-on design roots, Eric also recently launched a separate product design company offering elegant and exciting pieces.
Robert Jacoby
After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Idaho, Masters of Architecture from the University of Utah, and obtaining a professional license, Robert founded the firm back in 1976. Robert continues to offer hands-on guidance and wisdom cultivated from an illustrious 55+ year career in the field of architecture. While Robert now has more time to devote to his other passions including jewelry making, silversmithing, cabinetmaking, welding, painting, sketching, and landscaping (just to name a paltry few), he still maintains a strong passion for both the field of architecture and the company he originally founded.
Green Initiative
We are on a constant quest for more eco-friendly designs. We are experienced with achieving all levels of LEED certification, the State of Utah High Performance Building Standard, and the integration of cost-effective, energy-saving strategies into our projects. For example, the Marriott Honors Residential Scholars Community on the University of Utah Campus is LEED Gold and performs 30% better than required by code. This translates to a savings of over $20,000 per year in utilities alone.
Even our projects that do not require a LEED certification or compliance with energy standards, as best practice, include proper building orientation; natural daylighting and ventilation; well-insulated envelopes; building materials that are recycled, low embodied, and low emitting; and high-efficiency fixtures and equipment.
