John Carney FAIA

After completing his master’s degree from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard in 1977, John apprenticed with the firm of Metz Train and Youngren in Chicago.  Later he moved with that firm to open their office in Denver, Colorado, where he worked on the construction phase of one of Denver’s tallest towers.  In 1983 John left to start his own firm, John Carney & Associates where he completed a number of historic renovations and loft projects in Denver’s Lower Downtown.  In 1990 he became a partner at Urban Design Group where he worked on the design of a large hotel for Disney Development and the renovation of the historic Denver Dry Goods Building.  While in Denver John served on the board of trustees of the Denver Botanic Garden and the Denver Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and was president of the Urban Design Forum.

In 1992, John Carney moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to establish Carney Architects, a firm that has grown to accommodate a staff of 20 people.  The work of the firm covers a range of project types that include single-family houses, affordable housing, and commercial and mixed-use buildings.  John has been active in resort design in the Rocky Mountain West for clients such as Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, 3 Creek Ranch, Snow King Resort, and Sundance Resort.

In addition to his work in the firm, John has been active in the Jackson Community, including two years as a County Commissioner and four years on the Teton County Planning Commission.  While a County Commissioner John actively promoted sound planning and sustainable values, culminating in a resolution on Global Warming.  In 2001, he served as Vice President of the Wyoming Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and designed many community projects, which include the Multi-Agency Visitor Campus and the Jackson Hole High School.  John has taken part in downtown planning initiatives and is committed to principles of ‘smart growth’ and ‘town as heart’.

John currently serves on the board of directors for the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Jackson Hole Historical Society and the Jackson Hole Land Trust.  He is a member of both the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and is licensed in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Idaho.