General Info

Design Background Jakub Galczynski grew up studying Architecture and Art in Chicago, IL. Jakub’s high school provided an Architecture curriculum, where he spent three years technical hand-drafting on a classic draft tabling. Studies extensively covered Chicago Historic Architects : Louis H Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, and Bertrand Goldberg. Many years later, Jakub’s most influential Chicago-based Architect would become Jeanne Gang FAIA, founder of Studio Gang Architects, known for her responses to issues of environmental and ecological sustainability. Jakub was also enrolled in various courses at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he was introduced to 3D modeling and 2D CAD. After High School graduation, Jakub pursued a Bachelor’s in Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture Degree (M.Arch) from Montana State University – Bozeman, MT. His Thesis titled ‘Mixed Resolution : Architectural Expression’ explored the experience of contrasting minimalism with complexity. The study explained how architecture can respond to ‘high resolution’ aesthetics found in nature. Thesis Advisors included Henry Sorenson and Ralph Johnson. Jakub was awarded the Tau Sigma Delta – Honor Society Bronze Medal, which recognizes a graduate for their intellectual achievement, effort, and initiative as well as leadership and character. Out of academia, Jakub Galczynski worked for diverse high-end residential architecture practices from 2012 – 2023. During these years (2015), Galczynski joined Astronomer Dr. Samuel Singer to develop a personal project known as Snow King Mountain Observatory. The project aimed to construct a public astronomy observatory for the community and visitors of Jackson, Wyoming. Jakub intended to design a recognizable observatory to challenge the many overly-functional observatories found in the US, to increase public engagement with astronomy and science. Arguing for ‘design’ as an overlooked function and potential for observatory design. Until completion, the Snow King Mountain Observatory remains his career focus. As of 2021, Snow King Mountain Observatory has become a partnership with Jackson-based Architect, Farmer Payne Architects. Jakub has roughly ten years of experience working in architecture, building science, and construction estimating. His past and current work specifically covers cold-climate residential design in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. He has lived and worked in all three states. Jakub works closely with clients to understand their design interests. Thus far, most clients have selected Jakub for his design sensibility and perspective. The client relationship is similar to a trusted friendship, in which the team embarks on a creative pursuit of a project everyone is excited about. Project communication is casual, frequent, and transparent. Jakub is available for after hours calls during the week and weekends.