Welcome to KEO studioworks
KEO Studioworks is a dedicated team creating thoughtful, context-driven architecture that strengthens communities and responds to the unique character of each program and site.
Working throughout the Intermountain West and beyond, our experience spans residential, hospitality, mixed-use, civic, and commercial projects. We believe architecture should inspire people, function seamlessly into the future, be responsive to its environment, and retain lasting value.
The KEO team and our consultants work collaboratively with clients to ensure each project reflects their vision, meets their needs, and adheres to the highest standards of coordination, quality, and craftsmanship. This collaborative and detail-oriented approach foster a high level of continuity throughout the project phases, into construction to completion.
KEO studioworks TEAM
Design Director, Founder
Jim Keo
With over 30 years of experience with diverse projects and design leadership, Jim is able to guide successful architectural solutions across public, private, and community sectors.
His dedication to a collaborative design approach, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on both design and project delivery has made him a trusted leader in the industry. Jim has led significant projects within firms in St. Louis, Chicago, and Salt Lake City and as Design Leader at CCA in Aspen, CO, with prior roles of Design Principal and Design Director. He has also collaborated on competitions with Leon Kier and Will Bruder Architects and is a member of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA). He has a passion for design, and enjoys working within the public realm. Known for his collaborative spirit, he is accustomed to rolling up the sleeves and being flexible to get the job done in the most appropriate fashion for any given project. The diversity of past projects gives a wide range of experience that can assist broad analysis and development of any given site and scope.  His spirited process begins with a robust, thoughtful, and nimble conceptual design phase. This is driven by project and client’s goals, schedules, budget, leading to the most appropriate and distinctive solutions. Jim spends time between Aspen, Telluride region, and Taos NM.  He is also an artist represented in NYC and Taos, with works in private collections in California, Texas, and Colorado. EDUCATION Washington University St. Louis, Missouri Master of Architecture Mackintosh School of Architecture Glasgow, Scotland University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, Connecticut 1992 Bachelor of Science, Interior Design - Cum Laude Monson William Proctor Art Institute Utica, New York Fine Arts
AFFILIATIONS
Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture​
Architecture Culture and Spirituality ​
NCARB
Registered Architect: ​ Colorado
New Mexico
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Noelle brings 14 years of professional experience in the capacity of Project Management, Project Architect, BIM and Operations Management.
Noelle’s experience spans from single family residential, multi-family housing, large scale commercial projects, K-12 and higher education facilities, and biotech laboratory facilities.  Noelle’s recent work has largely been with residential development and affordable housing in Colorado mountain communities. Noelle has a passion for managing creative, complex projects with many moving pieces and unique technical challenges. She is detail-oriented and thorough in her approach, focusing on creating processes and systems to clarify project goals and keep projects on schedule and on budget. Noelle is dedicated to consistent communication and a collaborative team effort to drive design impact on both immediate and long term client needs.  Noelle's range of experiences with a variety of project sizes, types, and locations, diverse project teams, and various office cultures give her a wide-lens perspective as an asset to any project. EDUCATION ​ University of Michigan Master of Architecture University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies HITE DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
Noelle Wilhite
Project Architect, Operations Lead
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Benjamin Vera del Barco
Project Designer, Intern
Benjamín is an advanced Architecture student with experience in designing and developing single-family and multi-family projects, residential complexes, as well as commercial and mixed-use projects.
Over the past few years, he has gained skills in planning and executing architectural projects, from initial concept to final presentation. BenjamÃn has actively participated in national and international architectural competitions, standing out in events like the Inspireli Awards (2023-2024). These experiences have allowed him to refine his creative and technical skills, as well as his ability to work within interdisciplinary teams. He demonstrates great flexibility in project work, handling various tasks with ease. His quick adaptability to jump in to new projects with design and technical tasks has proven valuable asset to or process and delivery approach.
SPONSORSHIP
KEO studioworks proudly sponsors the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, reinforcing our belief in mentorship, leadership development, and the long-term strength of the architectural profession. Through our support of CKLDP, we are committed to investing in emerging professionals and helping cultivate thoughtful, capable leaders who will shape the future of our industry.Learn more: CKLDP
Class of 2026
ARCHITECTURE and WELLBEING
Architecture and design can profoundly impact human experience, influencing how people think, feel, connect, and live.
​KEO Studioworks brings a research-driven perspective to architecture through ongoing study in neuroscience, biology, cognitive science, and the built environment.
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As a member of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, Jim understands how architecture and urban environments affect mental and physical wellbeing, cognition, stress, and human behavior. This research is integrated into KEO Studioworks’ design approach, creating architecture that responds to program, context, and budget while supporting long-term wellness, resilience, and community vitality.
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“Human health and wellbeing are profoundly shaped by the environments we inhabit; the brain continuously interprets environmental conditions, translating them into biological, psychological, and behavioral outcomes.”
(Adapted from Bruce McEwen’s research on stress, allostasis, and the brain.)
Feature on Affordable Housing
Editorial by Jim
Jim is an unusual architect. When he contemplates a project, he imagines not only how it will look from the outside, but how it will feel like to be inside it. ~ Leslie Vreeland, Editor at Shelter
