​
KEO studioworks is a collaborative design studio with a functional and human-centered approach that emphasizes the integration of people, place, and purpose. Our design philosophy derives solutions from an integrated analysis of program, site, context, sustainability, health and well-being.
​
With balanced expertise in design and project management, our team ensures rigorous attention to schedule and budget across all project phases. Our diverse experience spans commercial, public, and private sectors, and includes projects of both large and small scale. This breadth of knowledge enriches our ability to deliver thoughtful, high-quality solutions for our clients.​​
Founded in 2020, KEO Studioworks is led by Jim K. and built on more than 30 years of experience spanning both public and private sectors. Prior to establishing the studio, Jim held design leadership roles - including Design Leader, Design Principal, and Design Director, at notable firms in Salt Lake City, Chicago, St. Louis, and Aspen. ​ At the heart of our practice is a collaborative approach, where we guide the synthesis of vision, program, opportunity, and value. We advise clients on how to achieve their objectives efficiently while maximizing impact. In the early stages of planning, we focus on feasibility, land use, and pragmatic considerations to establish clear, achievable goals that offer substantial value. At KEO Studioworks, we advance design through careful inquiry, balancing creativity with program, budget, and context. Our goal is to create enduring environments that elvate the human experience and transform the built world into places that inspire and enrich.
200 Jasper Lane, Ridgway, CO
leadership
AFFILIATIONS
Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture
​
Architecture Culture and Spirituality
​
NCARB
Registered Architect: ​ Colorado
New Mexico
​
Jim
Principal, Design Lead
AFFILIATIONS
AIA
NCARB
Registered Architect: Colorado
Noelle Wilhite
Architect, Operations Lead
Jim offers over 30 years of expertise in project and design leadership, guiding successful architectural solutions across public, private, and community sectors.
His deep understanding of complex project delivery and stakeholder engagement has made him a trusted leader in the industry. He has a passion for design, especially 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 has led significant projects within firms in St. Louis, Chicago, and Salt Lake City and, more recently, 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). 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 1995 Master of Architecture Mackintosh School of Architecture Glasgow, Scotland 1994 University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, Connecticut 1992 Bachelor of Science, Interior Design - Cum Laude Monson William Proctor Art Institute Utica, New York 1989 Fine Arts
sponsorship
2026 Candidates, AIA Denver
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
Noelle brings 12 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
currently interning
EDUCATION
Nacional University of Tucuman – Argentina
Architectural and Urbanism Studies. (FAU)
Benjamin Vera del Barco, Intern
Benjamín is an advanced Architecture student with experience in designing and developing single-family and multi-fmaily 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 new software programs has proven valuable in adjusting to different project requirements and environments.
architecture and wellbeing
Architecture + Wellbeing Lecture the Aspen Art Museum
Feature and editorial - Jim K.
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
published
Jim as Design Leader with CCA,
Jim as Design Leader with CCA
project locations and collaborators
Photography: Evan Melgren, VCA and Riverfront Village
KEO Studioworks serves Colorado and New Mexico, with a broad presence across the Intermountain region.
​
​​
Our diverse experience in mountain and resort communities has honed our ability to identify the specific challenges, needs, goals, and opportunities that are unique to each project and its surrounding community.