Joe Jacoby

Joe Jacoby is a local Architect & Artist residing in Salt Lake City. He is the President and Director of Design in a local architectural firm, Jacoby Architects, which specializes in specialty educational projects ranging from preschools to higher education. The firm believes that great architecture (architecture that inspires people to do and be more) exists first in the conceptual development stage with nothing but an open mind to evolve it. The process of discovery in turn leads to solutions that are custom and entirely specific to each particular building design. Through enough studies and with project realities in place, the buildings begin to create themselves. Joe received both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley and has worked professionally in Utah, California, & London. He also recently served as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the College of Architecture + Planning at the University of Utah.

Education:
2005 Master of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley
2001 Bachelor of Art, University of California, Berkeley
 
Profession:
2005 - Present Jacoby Architects, President, Director of Design, Salt Lake City, Utah
2002-2003 Holt Hinshaw Architects, Architectural Designer, San Francisco, California
2001 Ian Ritchie Architects, Architectural Intern, London, United Kingdom
 
Teaching:
2007 - 2008 Visiting Assistant Professor, College of Architecture + Planning, University of Utah
2003-2004 Graduate Student Instructor,University of California, Berkeley
 
Publications:
2005 Building Geology
Masters Thesis Project, University of California, Berkeley
2006 Tianjin Transit-Oriented Development: Principles and Prototypes
Collaboration between the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute and the University of California, Berkeley

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Understanding the school’s purpose and the varying abilities of its students challenged Joe to think outside the box when developing the design for Openshaw Education Center, the Salt Lake Center for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. As a result, the school is a stunning example of color use as guiding reference points, as well as mood-boosting aesthetics. Red is both energetic, yet cautionary, making it a logical choice to mark pathways in an otherwise neutral color scheme. The 50,000 sq. ft. facility has an orientation area, classrooms customized for sensory disabilities, clubhouses for physical and occupational therapy, a full-size gymnasium, a multi-functional kitchen for vocational and life skills training, and so much more. Along with the visual pop of color, the bright, glowing red laminated glass allows low-vision children and visitors to find their way around the building, from the front doors to open areas to classrooms. Even the brilliant red staircase that’s visible from the street serves as a visual guide for students, staff, and families.