Meet Julio Garcia, Senior Project Architect Driving Custom Residential Design
We take pride in spotlighting the people whose expertise and vision shape every project we deliver. Senior Project Architect Julio Garcia brings more than 25 years of architectural experience to our team, with a deep focus on custom residential design. His leadership has guided the creation of over 100 homes across Utah, each one reflects our commitment to thoughtful, client-centered design.
Career Journey
Julio began his architectural career in Colombia, where he earned his license and gained early professional experience before pursuing a master’s degree in Intelligent Building Design and Bioclimate Architecture in Madrid, Spain. Studying alongside peers from around the world and traveling across Europe deepened his understanding of diverse cultures, environments, and architectural approaches.
He relocated to Utah in 2000 and joined Smith Hyatt Architects, who sponsored his work visa, and later continued his professional journey with JSA Architects. During this time, Julio also founded and ran his own custom homes design company—Sketch-architecture—for nearly eight years, further honing his residential design expertise. When the housing market slowed in 2008, he transitioned to NWL Architects, where he gained valuable experience in K-12 schools and LDS temples. Julio returned to his passion for residential design when he joined Think Architecture, where he plays a key role on the residential team.
Life Outside the Office
Julio has been married for 24 years. “We’ve always lived in Utah. We love living here,” he says. In 2013, after 13 years as a Permanent Resident, he became a U.S. citizen—an important milestone in his journey of making Utah home. Julio comes from a globally minded and accomplished family. His father was an architect, his mother an attorney, and his three sisters live across three continents: South America, Europe, and North America.
What Inspires Julio at Think
“Being in a great residential design company and having the freedom to interact with clients and consultants, solve problems, moving work forward, and working directly with the Partners.”
Just for Fun
If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be?
Time manipulation.
If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
My dog. Best life anyone can have.
What’s the strangest food you’ve ever tried, and would you eat it again?
Big-butt ants. Only in an extreme case.
Editor’s note: Known as hormiga culona, these are a crunchy delicacy in parts of Colombia, typically roasted and served as a snack and not for the faint of heart.
If you could instantly become an expert in anything, what would it be?
History.
Rapid Fire
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Morning person or night owl?
Morning, but changing
Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
Mountain
Netflix binge or reading a book?
Netflix if it’s a heavy political thriller or drama; otherwise, a book
Cats or dogs?
Dogs
