JAKUB GALCZYNSKI
Core Values
People │ Planet │ History
These core values are engrained in Jakub’s sensibility. Using design as a medium, Jakub Galczynski believes we can promote social justice, be ecologically responsive, and preserve the integrity of place. To be the work we wish to see from others.
Design Services
Galczynski LLC is a professional Residential Design and Drafting Service. Jakub Galczynski works with a Licensed Structural Engineer to design and obtain a construction permit. Available for Residential Design under 5,000 sq ft gross and Interior tenant improvements. Contact Jakub with any project-specific questions. Galczynski LLC carries General and Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Insurance.
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. His studies extensively covered Chicago Architects : Louis H Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, and Bertrand Goldberg. Years later his 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 pairing minimalism with complex aesthetics. The study explained how architecture can be informed by aesthetics found in the natural world. 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.
Nature Interpretation & Design
Member of The National Association for Interpretation, Jakub Galczynski specializes in nature interpretation to strengthen our cultural understanding and respect for the natural world. He has worked with numerous non-profit organizations to fund projects that would elevate their team’s greater mission. Jakub believes that quality design promotes the mission itself and encourages project funding for the long-term future. Design as biomimicry, we can attract human curiosity similar to that of native flora attracting pollinators. As Co-Founder and Lead Designer of Snow King Observatory and Planetarium, this project expresses this ethos. Jakub looks to strengthen the dialogue among the topics listed. :
- Dark Sky – Preserving our Starry Night Skies & Associated Energy Conservation.
- Birding – Species & Their Diverse Habitats.
- Bats – Key Roles in our Ecosystem.
- Beavers – Ecosystem Engineers.
- Geology – Understanding the World Around Us.
Mountain Background
Despite growing up in an urban landscape, Jakub describes himself as a mountain athlete. While living in Bozeman MT and Jackson WY, Jakub was an active rock climber. In the summer 2012 Jakub developed a bouldering climbing guide for the Teton Valley called ‘Wydaho Bouldering’. Climbing trips across the US enabled him to visit renowned climbing crags and their associated mountain communities.
Over the years, Jakub found himself trail-running and scrambling mountains. Similar to climbing, the sport inspired Jakub to visit additional mountain towns. He started to recognize what works or threatens community identity. With his lovely fiancee, who also runs ultra distances, the two have competed at mountain events in locations such as Poland, Spain, Switzerland, France, and Italy. During travel, Jakub continues to research his passion for architecture, design, and community identity. He believes that travel is essential in understanding the greater picture of development impact. To experience positive and negative impacts, apart from viewing buildings online or other mediums. Jakub is in a life pursuit of crafting mountain aesthetics that are both progressive and grounded in mountain heritage.
Academic
2020 │ Master of Architecture (M.Arch) w/ Distinction . Montana State University – Bozeman, MT
2015 │ Bachelors of Arts, Environmental Design (BA) . Montana State University – Bozeman, MT
Certification
2013 │ LEED Green Associate . USGBC
2013 │ Certified Green Professional . NAHB
Association
April 2021 – Present │ Historic Preservation Commissioner . City of Ketchum . More Info
May 2018 – September 2019 │ Board Director . Bozeman Montana Sculpture Park . More Info
Juen 2014 – May 2015 │ LEED Coordinator for Affordable Housing . Teton Habitat for Humanity . More Info
2012 – 2013 │ Event Development . TEDxBozeman Montana. More Info
Acknowledgment
2023 │ Lecture
National Association for Interpretation (NAI) Title : Interpretation of Environmental Justice
2023 │ Magazine Article
Jackson Hole Explorer . ‘What’s New in Jackson?’ p.26 More Info
2023 │ Magazine Full Article
Big Sky Journal . Title : The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium . More Info
2020 │ Award
Recipient of Tau Sigma Delta Medal . More Info
2019 │ Exhibit & Presentation
Architecture Photography Exhibit, Title : Mixed Resolution. Dean Gallery . Bozeman, MT
2019 │ Exhibit & Presentation
Selected for Graduate Research Celebration . Bozeman , MT p.16 More Info
2019 │ Award
Recipient of McLaughlin Grant . More Info