“Here is an idea of place, memory, and real-life conditions. It's the starting point. And a launch pad,” said Won Shim, architect and senior associate of the Lloyd Architects team.
“It represents our collective experiences, and how we can combine our knowledge to make solid decisions and amplify creativity,” said architect and senior associate Jennifer Peris.
Every project at Lloyd Architects begins with curiosity—about the client, the community, the intricate details of the site.
“Listening is the most important design strategy,” said architect and associate Rosemary Stum. “We also take into consideration every view, angle of the sun, neighborhood scale, weather conditions and more.” The result is architecture that feels as if it’s always been there, and couldn’t exist anywhere else—thoughtful design that serves not only today’s inhabitants, but also generations to come.
GETTING TO HERE
“My father was an architect, and my mother managed his practice for nearly 40 years. I learned how to run a diazo blueline printer generating ‘blueprints’ as a summer job,” said founder Warren Lloyd. “I think my mother was quietly relieved when I said I wanted to become a doctor. But by my third year of college, I knew I wouldn’t be happy doing anything but architecture.”
After Warren married Jennie—his longtime partner in life and work—their paths took them around the globe. They moved seven times in eight years, including stints in Japan and Russia before settling in Seattle and eventually moving to Salt Lake City to help Warren’s father, Glen Lloyd, with his architectural practice.
When Glen passed away suddenly, Warren and Jennie faced a pivotal choice: Close the chapter? Or carry it forward? They chose to build—not only structures, but a legacy grounded in family, community and a deep respect for place.
“I never intended to work at the firm, but I saw early on that Warren needed help and time to focus on design, so I took on many roles. We had a young family, so it was a challenging, busy time for us. But we figured things out, one day at a time,” said Jennie, managing partner.
For 25 years, their decision to start Lloyd Architects has rippled outward—through a hundred or so projects across the Wasatch Front and Back, and throughout the Intermountain West—creating spaces where people live, work and gather across Utah and beyond.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PRACTICE
All that impact begins within. Over the years, Warren and Jennie have carefully built a team of architects, designers, interns and more—each one drawn not only by the firm’s reputation, but by shared values and purpose.
“The people who make up this team make it the right place for me,” said Nick, architectural designer.
It’s a deeply collaborative environment with a strong spirit of mentorship, curiosity and mutual respect. Every idea matters. Every voice is heard. This foundation fuels mindful design and real personal and professional growth.
“We’re always exploring new ways of doing things and integrating new systems that improve the way we work together,” said Dominic, an architectural designer.
Everyone is encouraged to experiment, take risks and grow within a culture that values humility and shared success. “Every single person in the office has a voice. That makes the team strong and productive, and creates the best results for our clients,” said Nick.
“I love coming into the office and being around everything and everybody. It is just a great place to work,” said Aaron, principal and partner.
FROM FAMILY HOMES TO COMMUNITY HUBS
“The places where we live are special and even sacred. It’s very fulfilling to be a part of creating them,” said Warren. This belief has infused the firm’s longstanding love of residential design—where architecture becomes personal and meets the rhythms of everyday life. Their carefully selected commercial projects have the same intent.
You see it in a Yalecrest Tudor Cottage, transformed into a family’s world-travel-inspired sanctuary. You feel it in the modest plot that became the thriving Snuck Farm, anchored by a quietly striking new barn. You taste it at Red Iguana 2, where the team didn’t just navigate a light-rail expansion; they developed a space that honors culture and feels as natural as the food is unforgettable. You experience it at the St. George FamilySearch center, which invites everyone to explore their own unique roots.
“Community has always been important to Warren and me,” said Jennie. “We were both raised in families dedicated to service. I remember my dad telling me, ‘The best place to live is wherever you are,’ meaning: make it the best place you can.”
REIMAGINING WHAT’S HERE
Lloyd Architects embraces adaptive reuse—welcoming the complexities of history as they create something both grounded and new. “I’ve heard Warren say, ‘the messier, the better,’” Jennie laughed. “And he means it. He sees problems as opportunities, and isn’t rattled by them.”
Take Granary Campus, which united five underused warehouses in Salt Lake City’s industrial core in a vibrant, mixed-use space serving businesses and the community. Or Publik Coffee, once a local printing press and now a warm, inviting spot for connection, reflection and celebration over coffee.
The team’s blend of rigor and receptivity—rooted in a deep understanding of urban and natural contexts—helps weave together the past and present in environments that feel fresh and familiar.
BUILDING WITH PURPOSE
Warren has chaired the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission, helped draft a city-wide preservation plan and co-founded the Utah Center for Architecture. And the American Institute of Architects Utah has recognized him for his work in addressing barriers to affordable housing through both policy and design.
Lloyd Architects’ award-winning proposal for the Empowered Living Design Competition helped catalyze The Other Side Village, using prefabrication and intentional design to create permanent, dignified housing for people emerging from chronic homelessness.
The team has long supported DesignBuildBLUFF, a hands-on design-build studio serving the Navajo Nation in the Four Corners region.
“You don’t need to wait to make a difference around here,” said Maja, an architectural designer. “We’re all capable of being a good designer, a good colleague and a good human.”
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
“Building From Here speaks to both construction and growth,” said Warren. “It’s about starting from where we are—and moving forward, together.”
A quarter of a century in, the firm is asking deeper questions—not just about what comes next, but how to design with even greater clarity, care and intention. Their next five-year plan reflects this renewed focus, bringing fresh energy and a steady sense of purpose.
For Lloyd Architects, this milestone isn’t a finish line; it’s a foundation. “We’ve built an organization, a structure, and a culture that has survived—one I believe will continue to thrive,” Warren says. “Our best is yet to come.”
