MHTN Architects, Inc.

08/14/2026

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝘁𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸

Trailhead, The University of Utah’s first public-private partnership (P3) student housing project, will welcome students next week.

We enjoyed working in partnership with Ayers Saint Gross and American Campus Communities to bring the University’s “college town magic” vision to life. Together, we aligned student wellness, sustainability and community-building goals to create a residential environment where students can live, learn and grow throughout their campus experience.

Learn more about Trailhead and its amenities: https://www.deseret.com/education/2026/08/11/university-utah-trailhead/

School eager to welcome almost 1,500 new ‘neighbors’ to 349,342-square-foot residence hall

08/07/2026

𝗠𝗛𝗧𝗡 + 𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗽

Last week, the MHTN team partnered with the Jordan River Commission for our annual Canoe Cleanup, spending the day helping protect one of Utah's most important waterways.

Working in pairs, our team paddled the Jordan River and collected more than 120 pounds of trash before it could continue downstream to the Great Salt Lake. Much of this debris enters the river through stormwater drains, while other litter is left behind by trail users or intentionally discarded.

Caring for our communities extends beyond the places we design. We are grateful for opportunities to give back, protect the environment and contribute to the long-term health of Utah's waterways.

Thank you to the Jordan River Commission for organizing this meaningful event and for giving us the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

River Commission iver

08/06/2026

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Weber School District's Haven Bay Elementary has been recognized with an IIDA Intermountain Merit Award in the K–12 & Higher Education Learn category.

Designed to serve approximately 850 students, the two-story school features four flexible classrooms per grade, a dedicated Pre-K classroom, and learning environments that prioritize collaboration, transparency and student-centered learning.

Drawing inspiration from the diverse bird species and habitats of the nearby Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area and the Great Salt Lake shoreline, the design creates a meaningful connection to place. Murals, bird-inspired lighting, a calming color palette and nest-like retreat spaces throughout the commons and media center celebrate the region's unique ecology while creating welcoming, engaging environments for students.

Haven Bay establishes a new standard for K–6 learning as Weber School District's first prototype elementary school. Its repeatable design will serve as the model for future elementary schools.

We are grateful to Weber School District for entrusting us with the opportunity to design a learning environment that supports students today while establishing a vision for the future of elementary education.

07/31/2026

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

Members of our urban design team attended Project for Public Spaces’ International Placemaking Week in Detroit. Through tours, sessions and conversations with practitioners across disciplines, the team explored how sustained community leadership, public support and strategic investment have strengthened the city’s ongoing revitalization.

Detroit offered valuable lessons in climate resilience, alley activation, reinvestment without displacement and “place-keeping” rather than “place-taking.” Our team also joined A Gang of Three, Reed Hilderbrand Landscape Architecture, Jerry Ann Hebron and Rochelle Riley for a multidisciplinary presentation exploring the intersection of public art, landscape architecture, urban design and architecture.
We returned to Utah with new engagement strategies and a deeper understanding of how cities can honor existing communities while shaping resilient, inclusive places.

07/29/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗛𝗧𝗡

Good food, friendly competition and a little creativity made for a memorable afternoon as our team and families gathered for MHTN’s annual summer party. Between tacos, flowerpot painting, yard games and raffle prizes, we enjoyed the chance to reconnect and welcome new members of our team.

This year’s celebration also gave us an opportunity to honor Todd Freebairn and Jim Dresslar as they prepare for retirement. Joined by their families, Todd and Jim shared favorite memories and reflected on the colleagues and experiences that shaped their remarkable careers.

Teamwork is central to MHTN’s culture. It is built through collaboration, strengthened through mentorship and sustained by the relationships we form along the way. Bringing together longtime colleagues, new team members and their families was a meaningful reminder of that shared spirit.

It was a fitting summer celebration of two extraordinary careers—and of the people, families and lasting connections that make MHTN what it is.

07/29/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗛𝗧𝗡

Good food, friendly competition and a little creativity made for a memorable afternoon as our team and families gathered for MHTN’s annual summer party. Between tacos, flowerpot painting, yard games and raffle prizes, we enjoyed the chance to reconnect and welcome new members of our team.

This year’s celebration also gave us an opportunity to honor Todd Freebairn and Jim Dresslar as they prepare for retirement. Joined by their families, Todd and Jim shared favorite memories and reflected on the colleagues and experiences that shaped their remarkable careers.

Teamwork is central to MHTN’s culture. It is built through collaboration, strengthened through mentorship and sustained by the relationships we form along the way. Bringing together longtime colleagues, new team members and their families was a meaningful reminder of that shared spirit.

It was a fitting summer celebration of two extraordinary careers—and of the people, families and lasting connections that make MHTN what it is.

07/27/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

After decades dedicated to architecture, mentorship and community, Todd Freebairn and Jim Dresslar are beginning a well-earned new chapter. Their work can be seen across Utah—in the buildings that shape its cities, support its institutions and serve its people.

During his 27 years at MHTN, Todd contributed his expertise across many of the firm’s markets. Among his most memorable projects are the 222 Main tower in downtown Salt Lake City, the University of Utah Noorda Health Sciences Building and the recently completed Blanding Elementary School in San Juan County.

Jim joined MHTN in 1988, and his enduring relationship with the firm continued through chapters as both an employee and independent contractor. Over the course of his career, he contributed his skill and care to a wide range of projects, with a particularly meaningful impact on the Moab community. Among his notable contributions are schools that will serve generations of Moab students and the Four Corners Behavioral Health Clinic, which helped expand access to mental health care in the region.

Great careers leave more than a portfolio of projects. They leave stronger communities, trusted relationships and knowledge passed from one generation to the next. Todd and Jim have built exactly that kind of legacy, generously sharing their experience, leadership and insight as mentors to our team.

At the end of July, Todd and Jim will put down their pencils and begin their retirement. We are deeply grateful for the decades we have shared and the lasting mark they have made on MHTN and the communities we serve. We wish them both fulfillment and joy in the years ahead.

07/17/2026

The Kahlert Children’s Mental Health Center was carefully designed using trauma-informed principles to create a welcoming, supportive environment for young children and their families. We appreciate the trust placed in us to support this meaningful project, making specialized mental health care more accessible in Utah County. The center will celebrate its ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 1, 2026.

Read more about the project:

The Children's Center Utah recently opened its new Kahlert Children's Mental Health Center in Lehi, the organization's first location in Utah County.

06/30/2026

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲: 𝗨𝘁𝗮𝗵 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

For some students, school provides more than an education. It provides stability, support and a place to belong.

At West Field High School, Two Rivers High School and Brighton High School, teen centers create welcoming environments where students can access essential resources, connect with trusted adults and focus on their well-being. The design balances private and social spaces, giving students the flexibility to study, recharge, gather with friends or seek support when they need it most.

By removing barriers and meeting students where they are, these spaces help schools foster dignity, connection and student success beyond the classroom.

04/23/2026

𝗔𝗣𝗔 𝗨𝘁𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

MHTN joined city planners and municipal leaders at the American Planning Association - Utah Chapter Spring Conference in Bryce Canyon and contributed to conversations shaping urban planning across Utah’s rural and gateway communities. Topics focused on resiliency, growth management and planning strategies that support long-term community outcomes.

Sessions explored housing, transportation, historic preservation and inclusive development, reinforcing how integrated planning and design create adaptable, community-centered environments.