Troy Tueller, AIA, Associate Architect at Think Architecture, knew from an early age that he wanted to design buildings. He spent his childhood building with Legos and making mud cities in the garden. That hands-on curiosity evolved into a career that now spans more than 25 years, with a focus on housing in many forms, including military housing, from single-family homes to large barracks, as well as student housing and multifamily projects.
“I am still amazed every time I visit a job site and see an idea become a physical thing and how thousands of little parts and pieces come together to complete a large structure.”
Influences, Process, and Perspective
Troy’s design philosophy is grounded in functionality. He believes buildings must work for the owner and their residents. Figuring out the initial program is a key step in the process, helping both the owner and the design team understand the purpose and flow of the building from the beginning. He places importance on clearly understanding the project’s purpose and ensuring the design team and owner are aligned from the outset.
When beginning a new project, Troy focuses on key considerations: How will the building sit on the site? What are the zoning and code requirements? What are the design parameters? What is the owner’s design aesthetic?
His creative approach is shaped by a mix of architectural movements. He draws inspiration from Classical, Art Deco, and Modern architecture—valuing the proportion and structure found in Classical design, the streamlined forms and decoration of Art Deco, and the way Modern architecture introduces new technologies while reinterpreting traditional ideas.
Travel has also had a strong influence on Troy’s work. He often plans trips around architecture and enjoys experiencing well-known structures in person. “It’s awesome to see a building in person after only seeing it in pictures,” he says. Art and music are also creative outlets that help shape his perspective.
Communication and Collaboration
For Troy, successful client partnerships rely on communication, respect, and trust. “A client partnership is successful when both parties can communicate their ideas in ways in which everyone understands,” he says. “It also involves respect and trust between the client and architect.”
He also values strong relationships with contractors and believes problem-solving is most effective when everyone is working as a team, especially during the design and construction phases.
Local Design and Looking Ahead
Troy sees Salt Lake City’s architectural landscape evolving in exciting ways. “I am excited about the use of modern and contemporary architecture in Salt Lake City,” he says.
His favorite local buildings span both historic and contemporary work, including the Natural History Museum of Utah, the Salt Lake City Public Library, and Abravanel Hall, as well as the Salt Lake City and County Building, Capitol Theatre, and the Tabernacle on Temple Square.
Looking to the future, Troy is especially interested in how digital tools and new materials are influencing the design process. “AI is having a huge influence on the industry,” he says.
Outside of work, Troy enjoys pottery, hiking, travel, and spending time outdoors. When asked what he might be doing if he weren’t an architect, Troy says he’d probably be a baker or a chef.