October 2026
Studio 125 Featured on Utah NOMA Behind-the-Walls Tour
Jörg Rügemer led a Utah NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) tour of Studio 125 in Park City, titled A High-Performance Model of Suburban Densification. The event offered 1 LU/HSW learning unit.
Studio 125 is Jörg's 3,300-square-foot Passive House Super-ADU built on an already-developed residential lot and as an addition to the existing 125 Haus. It shows how thoughtful design can add housing density without expanding infrastructure or consuming additional land.
As the project's architect, energy consultant, and builder, Jörg guided participants through the construction from all three perspectives. The behind-the-walls tour looked at the high-performance building assemblies and Passive House strategies, and at the realities of building at 7,000 feet in Utah's mountain climate. Seeing the design, energy modeling, and construction decisions together showed how closely they depend on one another in a design-build delivery.
July 2026
After 20 years of dedicated teaching, research, and service at the University of Utah's School of Architecture, Jörg Rügemer has been promoted to the rank of Full Professor of Architecture.
Throughout his two decades at the University of Utah, Jörg has taught and mentored more than 1,500 students, helping prepare the next generation of architects to create a more thoughtful, sustainable, and high-performing built environment. His commitment to architectural education extends beyond the classroom and design studio through international study experiences, collaborative research, and close mentorship that encourages students to explore design with curiosity, technical rigor, and a global perspective.
This promotion recognizes his sustained contributions to architectural education, scholarship, professional practice, and service to the University and the broader architectural community.
May 2026
Construction continues at Studio 125 as installation of the cement board façade panels begins, revealing the building's clean, contemporary exterior.
The envelope has been carefully detailed to balance aesthetics, durability, energy efficiency, and fire resilience. All exterior materials are noncombustible, including the aluminum-clad solid wood windows, while exposed areas of the flat roof are protected with a gravel ballast layer to enhance fire resistance.
Behind the façade, a high-performance rainscreen assembly provides an additional layer of protection. A continuous 2-inch layer of rigid exterior insulation improves the building's thermal performance, while a 1-inch ventilated cavity behind the cement board cladding allows any incidental moisture to drain and dissipate before reaching the airtight weather barrier. This integrated approach creates a durable, resilient enclosure designed to perform efficiently in Utah's climate while supporting the building's clean architectural expression.
As the exterior enclosure comes together, Studio 125 continues to reflect the project's commitment to thoughtful detailing, sustainable design, and long-term performance.
