Park City Architect for Luxury Custom Homes
What Building in Park City Means for You—and How We Keep It Simple
Designing a custom home in Park City is thrilling, yet the mountain climate, steep slopes, and wildfire considerations can feel overwhelming. Oxford Architect gives you direct access to me, Kory Cox, transparent design fees and realistic timelines, and two decades of experience crafting luxury residences that honor Utah's unique mountain conditions. In the sections below you'll discover our approach, the advantages of building in Park City, essential permitting facts, and the straightforward steps to begin—including a complimentary Planning Pack you can download today.
Why Choose Oxford Architect
Luxury, nothing else – Two decades crafting high-end residences teach you the nuances of quiet HVAC, flawless stonework, and glass that frames mountain vistas without glare.
Interactive 3-D modeling – Walk each room in a digital twin, make decisions in minutes, and avoid costly field changes.
Direct collaboration – You and I meet on-site or over video every week; no layers of project coordinators.
Remote-friendly workflow – Cloud mark-ups and VR reviews keep out-of-state owners fully in control.
Complimentary Planning Pack – Budget worksheets, permit checklists, and a example schedule arrive in your inbox the same day you request it.
Meet Your Architect – Kory Cox, AIA
Utah-born and Oxford-educated, I earned a Master's in Architecture from Oxford Brookes University in England before returning home to design luxury residences that honor the Mountain West landscape. Over 20 years—including work with respected international firms—I learned that true luxury is less about ornament and more about how a space feels day after day. At Oxford Architect I personally shepherd every commission, ensuring the finished home reflects its owner's identity and stands comfortably in its setting.
Learn more on our About page.
Why Build in Park City?
Home to 7,300 acres of world-class skiing and 400+ miles of single-track trails, Park City delivers year-round recreation and remains a cultural landmark as the birthplace of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. The walkable historic Main Street features ski-to-town runs—rare among U.S. resorts—while proximity to Salt Lake City International Airport (35 minutes) makes weekend getaways effortless. With median sale prices reaching $3.4 million, Park City combines lifestyle excellence with long-term investment potential. For second-home owners, it’s worth noting that Utah's property tax rates are relatively low compared to many states, though rates can vary by county. The nearby "Silicon Slopes" tech corridor continues driving demand, making Park City an increasingly strategic investment.
Permitting & Zoning Fast-Track
Plan-review window: While final reviews may take as little as 2–3 business days in Park City and ≤14 business days in Summit County, the full permitting process can take significantly longer—see Park City Building for details.
Snow-load design: 115 psf ground snow load required—critical for roof engineering at elevation.
Start-work rule: Ground must break within 180 days of permit issue; extensions available but avoidable with clear scheduling.
Digital submission: Park City uses City Inspect portal; Summit County uses eProcess 360.
WUI compliance: All projects require defensible-space plan and fire-resistant materials review.
Oxford Architect prepares every sheet, coordinates engineering stamps, and tracks reviews so you stay focused on design choices—not paperwork.
Our Luxury Design Process
Site & Lifestyle Discovery – Walk your lot, list priorities, align budget.
Concept + Virtual Walk-Through – Shape massing, views, and room adjacencies inside an interactive 3-D model.
Detailed Documentation – Specify assemblies, lighting layers, and energy details to exceed Utah's 2021 IECC requirements; drawings ready for pricing and permit.
Construction Administration – I visit the site, approve pay apps, and resolve field questions to safeguard design intent until you receive the keys.
See a step-by-step breakdown on our Services page.
Featured Project
Boulder House Concept - Stand out from the crowd with a home that is sculpted as much as constructed. Inspired by natural rock formations in the rocky mountains, and oriented to take advantage of the angle of the sun, the Boulder House is a statement on luxury living. Make your winter refuge the Boulder House.
Request Your Complimentary Planning Pack
The #1 cause of budget overruns is rushing to the design phase before completing research and analysis. This is like a doctor rushing a patient to surgery without a proper diagnosis. An out of control project is stressful, massively expensive and unnecessary.
The solution is successful planning. This is why we created the Project Planning Pack.
Here is what you get:
Road map that shows you the design and construction process from start to finish
Our hand-picked list of experts who can help you at each stage of the process
Costs guide worksheet that gives you a ballpark cost estimate for your project
Project specific checklists for key tasks
One-on-one FREE 30-minute consultation with an expert to answer your questions and point you towards the right people and resources
Monthly email tips and strategies to maximize your success
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to design and build a luxury home in Park City?
Architectural services typically run 6–16% of construction cost, depending on budget, size, and complexity. Luxury builds in Park City trend $600–$1,500 per sq ft, based on design complexity, slope, structural requirements, home features, and finish level.
How long does design and permitting take?
With decisive clients and a clean submittal, we average 4–6 months from kickoff to permit approval.
Why hire an architect if my builder has an in-house designer?
Complimentary services are limited by necessity. If they offer it for free, how much effort can they really put into your design? A licensed residential architect offers far greater value. At the basic level: I am responsible for life-safety, structural coordination, and code compliance, but beyond that I act as your advocate to the contractor so that your interests are represented even when you are not present. I ensure that your vision is carried forward at all stages of design and construction. I work on forward thinking design goals such as sustainability, energy efficiency, building science, and – importantly – comfort in every room of your new home. Throughout the design, I live within the home and fully imagine each space to exacting standards, that I then hold the contractor accountable to bring to life.
Can Oxford Architect work with me if I live out of state?
Yes. Weekly video reviews, VR model sharing, and cloud-based mark-ups keep you fully involved without constant flights to Utah.
What climate factors affect design in Park City?
Snow load (115 psf), frost depth (36 inches), wind exposure up to 115 mph, seismic category D/D1, temperature swings, and Wildland-Urban Interface compliance guide envelope choices and glazing specs.
Are there extra rules for hillside or view-lot construction?
Lots steeper than 30% trigger Steep-Slope CUP requirements and revised setbacks—issues we address during the first site study.
What energy-efficiency standards apply?
Utah adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code; we regularly exceed it with triple-pane glazing, advanced air sealing, and high-efficiency heat pumps.
Ready to Begin?
Schedule a 30-minute discovery call or request your Planning Pack and take the first concrete step toward a custom home that feels, functions, and endures exactly the way you envision.
