Jason St. Julian, Partner at Kirksey Architecture, leads the firm’s luxury hospitality projects with a hands-on, detail-driven approach.
Some architects find their calling at school. For Jason St. Julian, it started on a roof. "My dad put a hammer in my hand at seven or eight years old and said, 'Get to work.'" That early introduction to hands-on work set the scene for a lifelong pursuit of architecture, leading him to Kirksey Architecture, where he is now a Partner & Director, Hospitality & Residential Practice.
Woodworking classes in junior high and then drafting in high school culminated in Jason enrolling in the architecture program at the University of Houston. "It was a natural path," he said. "I always liked solving problems and figuring out how things go together."
From Hammer to Hospitality
As he continued learning and shaping his talents in design, the hospitality sector appealed to him most. It turned out to be an ideal fit for his hands-on, detail-driven work ethic. "Luxury hospitality projects require a level of personal attention that reminds me of the care we put into those early remodels I did as a kid."
His career at Kirksey almost never happened, as Jason initially accepted a position with another firm. He then received a call from Scott Wilkinson, a Kirksey Managing Principal, that altered his course. "We talked for what felt like two hours. Scott made it clear that Kirksey was a place where I could grow. So, the next day, I called the other firm and told them I had changed my mind." The call with Scott marked the beginning of a career with Kirksey shaped by personal growth and project impact. The firm promoted Jason to Partner in 2024 during Kirksey's 53rd anniversary celebration.
A Career Built on Problem-Solving
Problem-solving remains a central theme in his approach to design. "If you gave me a hammer and told me to build a house, I'd find a way." This determination and proactive approach has driven his contributions across complex hospitality and mixed-use projects.
Jason has worked on hundreds of projects in his 27-year career with Kirksey. Among the most notable is Inn at the Ballpark, a complete redesign from the 1960s commercial World Trade Center Houston building to a four-star, full-service boutique hotel adjacent to the Houston Astros ballpark. He recalls it as his first completed hotel and a project for which he drew 90% of the construction documents, including the interiors. His track record of successful projects has only grown, and Jason has seen Kirksey's portfolio continue to expand. One of his current projects is a luxury 37-story condominium tower, bringing the first all-residential St. Regis Residences to Texas.
Hands-On, On and Off the Clock
When he is not shaping hospitality projects to define a brand's image and customer experience, Jason enjoys time at home with his family. From coaching his young son's football team to spending time with his "goofy but handsome" black lab, Bernie, he relishes the life he has built and the career he has grown alongside it. But he still makes time for his hands-on hobbies, whether making cabinets or playing bass guitar for church - fulfilling his early dedication to balance, commitment, and creativity.