Salt Lake City Architect for Luxury Custom Homes
Designing a custom home in Salt Lake City is exhilarating—but urban infill lots, complex zoning overlays, and strict hillside building ordinances demand experienced hands.
Oxford Architect streamlines the journey with Kory Cox’s two decades of luxury expertise, transparent fees and a free Planning Pack you can download today.
What Building in Salt Lake City Means for You—and How We Keep It Simple
Designing a luxury custom home in Salt Lake City blends city living with natural beauty—but the process can be surprisingly complex. From steep-slope design rules to historic overlays, it's easy to get stuck without the right guidance.
At Oxford Architect, we simplify everything: direct access to me, Kory Cox, weekly collaboration calls, and a 20+ year track record delivering elegant, code-compliant homes. Whether you're a local or planning from afar, our clear systems, visual models, and Planning Pack eliminate surprises.
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 sunsets 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 12-month 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 Salt Lake City?
As Utah’s capital and cultural hub, Salt Lake City offers an unparalleled mix of urban lifestyle and outdoor access. Residents enjoy ski resorts within 30 minutes, access to major hospitals and universities, and a thriving arts and culinary scene.
Luxury custom homes here benefit from:
Prestige neighborhoods: Federal Heights, Yalecrest, The Avenues, and East Bench offer city views and tree-lined streets.
Walkability and transit: City dwellers can walk to local shops and commute via TRAX light rail.
Long-term investment: Salt Lake home values have seen steady appreciation, bolstered by tech industry migration (Deseret News).
Outdoor lifestyle: Residents enjoy direct access to hiking, skiing, and trails like the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
Large lots and privacy: East Bench and Olympus Cove offer larger parcels with ample room for custom builds.
High buyer demand: Many clients are moving from out of state to enjoy Utah’s work-life balance and access to nature.
Permitting & Zoning Fast-Track
Salt Lake City’s process is streamlined if you're prepared—and that’s where we come in.
Permit timeline: 4–8 weeks for single-family homes, depending on complexity (slc.gov).
Hillside ordinance: Projects on slopes over 30% require extra visual mitigation studies and compliance reports.
Overlay districts: Yalecrest and Capitol Hill may fall under preservation rules limiting height, windows, or materials.
Zoning research: We begin every Salt Lake City architect project with a code and site overlay deep-dive.
Digital submittals: Online plans speed up city reviews and eliminate in-person delays.
Whether you're building in a flat lot in Sugar House or a sloped site in East Bench, Oxford Architect handles the paperwork while you focus on design.
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 hit 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
Komorebi House – This Utah mountain retreat blends Mountain Modern and Japanese design, creating a home that balances comfort, daylight, and connection to the landscape. Named after the Japanese word for “sunlight through the trees,” it reflects Oxford Architect’s ability to combine elegance with functionality.
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 complimentary 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 Salt Lake City?
Architectural services typically run 6–16% of construction cost, depending on budget, size, and complexity. Luxury builds in Salt Lake trend $400–$1,200 per sq ft, based on slope, finish level, and mechanical complexity.
How long does design and permitting take?
With clear decisions and complete submittals, most clients go from kickoff to permit in 4–6 months.
Can Oxford Architect work with me if I live out of state?
Yes. Weekly video reviews, VR model sharing, and cloud-based markups keep you fully involved without constant travel.
Are there extra rules for historic or hillside lots?
Yes—historic overlays (like Yalecrest) and slope ordinances trigger additional plan reviews, visual impact analysis, and sometimes design guidelines. We research and resolve these early.
What climate and code factors affect design in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City sits in a seismic zone and experiences large temperature swings. Designs must consider insulation, solar gain, earthquake resistance, and wildfire defensibility in some fringe areas.
What energy standards apply?
Salt Lake requires compliance with Utah’s 2021 IECC. We often exceed this with triple-pane glazing, advanced air-sealing, and heat pump HVAC.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you're looking for a Salt Lake City architect or a Salt Lake City custom home architect to lead your vision from concept to keys, Oxford Architect is here to help.
Schedule a 30-minute discovery call or request your Planning Pack and take the first concrete step toward a Salt Lake City home that feels, functions, and endures exactly the way you envision.
