Architect who grew up in eastern Idaho wants to design your next building project
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BIZ BUZZ
IDAHO FALLS
Architect with local ties looking to expand his business in eastern Idaho
IDAHO FALLS – From the moment Seth Ellsworth started playing with Lego as a kid, he’s enjoyed designing and building things. Growing up working in his dad’s metal fabrication shop and his uncle’s wood shop further fostered his creativity and today, he owns his own architectural firm.
The 38-year-old Lewisville native launched LHOOQ Design in 2009. It’s based in Los Angeles where he lives, but he acquired a Gem State license last fall and is looking to design projects in eastern Idaho.
“I want to take what I’ve learned and bring my skills back to eastern Idaho,” Ellsworth tells EastIdahoNews.com.
In the last 15 years, Ellsworth has designed many multi-family residential buildings, as well as commercial and retail projects, restaurants and several projects for colleges and public schools.
His largest project to date is a 28-story apartment building in San Francisco with a ballet school on the ground floor. He was also involved in the design of a college football stadium in the Midwest and a field chapel in Germany.
Although he’s licensed and qualified to design any project for clients, he’d love to be a part of something unique.
“A few things I’ve been exposed to in architecture and design aren’t happening back home,” Ellsworth says. “Everybody’s been building the same house for decades, and there are other ways to do things. I think there’s room for some of that (here).”
Ellsworth’s interest in architecture started in eighth grade when he took a drafting class. After graduating from Rigby High School, he went on to study at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, where he helped design the field chapel in Germany.
“That’s the project I’m most proud of,” he says.
The housing crash in 2008 made it difficult to find a job. Although Ellsworth formed LHOOQ Design the following year, it didn’t become a full-time venture until 2024.
Over the years, Ellsworth has enjoyed watching ideas in his head become a reality, many of which he’s seen in aerial shots on movies and TV shows.
He’s looking forward to seeing more dream projects come to life and is excited to work with clients in eastern Idaho.
“My approach is about how people use the space and the experience of being in it, as opposed to some kind of sculptural approach. When I’m starting a project, I do a lot of ‘day-in-the-life’ scenarios with the owners to figure out (their lifestyle and design it accordingly),” says Ellsworth.
To learn more, visit his Instagram page or email info@LHOOQdesign.com.
BIZ BITS
Utah company wants to make more flights available at Idaho Falls Regional Airport
IDAHO FALLS – Flights From Home is adding the Idaho Falls Regional Airport to its flight deal subscription to help more individuals and families make traveling possible.
Since 2018, the Utah-based company has helped thousands of families and travelers discover affordable flights from their home airport to their dream destination. Its team of flight experts search for deep discounts on flights and share them, while helping customers become experts along the way.
The Idaho Falls airport has seen significant passenger growth over the past five years — 73% since 2019, according to city officials, with 610,641 people flying through the airport in 2024.
Idaho Falls will be the fourth airport included in the Flights From Home service. Others include the Salt Lake City, Provo and Las Vegas airports.
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