ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION CREW
F9 Productions is an award-winning architecture firm that crafts sustainable, modern designs for both residential and commercial clients. Serving Colorado since 2009, we offer a seamless design-build experience, ensuring every detail reflects your vision. From custom homes to innovative commercial spaces, our team is dedicated to exceptional communication, extreme ownership and design mastery. Let F9 Productions transform your aspirations into breathtaking architectural realities.
Name: Lance Cayko, Partner and Principal
Education and Experience: Lance Cayko is a trailblazing architect and entrepreneur whose career fuses over three decades of rugged, hands-on construction work, from carpentry and contracting across North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho with cutting-edge design innovation. His academic prowess shines through an A.A.S. in Building Construction Technology from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, a B.S. in Environmental Design, and a Master of Architecture from North Dakota State University in Fargo, where he claimed the esteemed McKenzie Thesis Award for his exceptional thesis.
As co-founder of F9 Productions Inc. in Longmont, Colorado, since 2009, Lance has propelled the firm to industry acclaim, including four consecutive Best of Mile High Awards for Best Architecture Firm in 2023 and 2024, a 2025 finalist nod, a 2026 silver winner, and a #1 ranking in BizWest’s 2023 Mercury 100 for 386% growth. His portfolio boasts groundbreaking works like the internationally awarded Atlas Tiny House (HGTV-featured and 2016 Architizer A+ winner) and the sustainable East Watch mountaintop home (Cover of Builder Magazine, Jan. 2021), all rooted in a profound grasp of buildability that sets him apart.
Today, Lance extends his influence as a university lecturer, co-host of the globally top-ranked Inside the Firm podcast, founder of Longmont Community Gardens for urban sustainability, and a passionate angler sharing adventures on YouTube @FishingwithLance, embodying resilient, multifaceted leadership in architecture and beyond.
Superpowers: Ability to design innovative structures while rucking 50-pound packs through Colorado trails and strategizing over a fishing reel.
Name: Alex Gore, Partner and Principal
Education and Experience: Alex Gore is a visionary architect and entrepreneur whose career blends construction experience with innovative design. From sketching pirate ships and homes as a child to serving as a heavy equipment operator in the National Guard, Alex has built a perspective that fuses hands-on grit with architectural creativity.
At North Dakota State University (NDSU), he earned a B.S. in Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture and Construction Management. Mentored by Daniel Libeskind in New York, Alex honed a design approach balancing creativity and practicality.
As co-founder of F9 Productions in Longmont, Colorado, since 2009, he’s helped the firm earn four consecutive Best of Mile High Awards for Best Architecture Firm in 2023 and 2024, plus a 2025 finalist nod and a 2026 Silver win. His portfolio includes the Atlas Tiny House, a 196-square-foot HGTV-featured design that won the 2016 Architizer A+ Award, and Kenwood Drive, a steel-and-glass masterpiece in Boulder. Gore co-hosts Inside the Firm, a top-five global architecture podcast with over a million listens, sharing insights on business and design.
A lecturer at the University of Colorado Boulder for over 11 years, he mentored the next generation, blending construction savvy with visionary thinking. His book, The Creativity Code, offers innovation strategies, while his role as a charter school and community college board member shows his community commitment.
Superpowers: Cuts through design fog and noise to reveal bold, executable paths forward; for students, clients, and fellow entrepreneurs.
Name: Rohs Heck, Project Architect
Education and Experience:
Rohs began his architecture career at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he earned his B.A. in Environmental Design in addition to a certificate in Lighting Design. During this time he worked at the university’s wood and metal shop and got his first real taste of hands-on construction experience with his junior-year studio class that designed and built a tiny home at the Lama Foundation in Taos, New Mexico. Like many transplants today, Rohs was originally from the east coast, specifically New Jersey, and came out west to Colorado in 2013 with no intentions of looking back.
As an outdoorsman with a close relationship to the natural environment he camps whenever possible, often with several co-workers at the firm. His close attention to detail and creative tendencies also means he has several side-projects that occupy much of his time after hours.
Superpowers: Starting road trips at 2am.
Name: Alex Gresh, Project Architect
Education and Experience:
Alex is a local boy; born and raised in Colorado. He started his architecture career at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned his B.A. in Environmental Design, then his Masters of Architecture at the University of Colorado Denver. Besides architecture, Alex loves to travel, and in fact will soon travel around the entire world. Known as the sports guy in the office, Alex started working for F9 right after undergraduate school, and through graduate school, receiving a full position at F9 during the summer of 2017.
Superpowers: Drinking a whole pot of coffee a day and not shaking.
Name: Jake Koren, Project Designer
Education and Experience:
Jake is a Colorado native, born and raised in Denver. He started his journey into architecture at the University of Colorado Boulder where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design in 2023. In Boulder, Jake worked in the school’s fabrication lab where he honed his skills in 3D printing and laser-cutting. His education experience culminated in a final studio abroad in Rome, where he learned how to combine modern building ideologies with the wonders of the ancient city. After graduating he spent the following months solo-traveling through the rest of Europe, gaining an appreciation for travel and exploration.
Jake spends his free time during the winter in the mountains and is able to share his love of skiing with the next generation as a Big Mountain coach at Arapahoe Basin. His passion for design led him to F9 where he began as an intern and transitioned to full-time employee in spring 2024.
Superpowers: Ability to wake up, shower, and leave the house in 15 minutes.
Name: Jason Buss, Project Manager
Education and Experience:
Jason developed a love for crafting spaces in his childhood bedrooms growing up in North Chicago. After moving to Philadelphia, he found himself studying architecture in the Tyler School of Art at Temple University. During his college career, Jason worked for Gurney Kerr Contractors, completed an internship with Brommer Architects, and freelanced as a photographer.
While at Temple, Jason took advantage of their campuses abroad and spent a semester studying architecture in Rome focusing on ways to bring context and relevance back to the ancient Roman walls that once defined the city boundary. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Design, Jason looked to take root near family in Colorado. In a stroke of luck, Jason eagerly hopped on a plane to join the F9 team in October of 2016.
Superpowers: Professional Sleeper
Name: Sarah Althoff, Interior Designer
Education and Experience:
Sarah was born and raised in the Bay Area, California. She has always considered herself a creative thinker and hands on learner. Growing up in an outdoorsy family, she developed an appreciation for the natural environment. Her passions led her to Colorado where she attended Colorado State University, earning a Bachelors of Science in Interior Architecture and Design and a minor in Global Environmental Sustainability. Sarah is excited to begin her professional career with F9 Productions.
When she is not in the office you can usually find her outside, whether it’s hiking, camping, swimming or soaking up the Colorado sun.
Superpowers: Designated F9 Girlboss
Name: Joe Seelhammer, Designer
Education and Experience:
Joe grew up creating sculptures and buildings out of legos and wooden blocks in the basement, making sure to protect the creations from his four siblings. First exposed to architecture by his uncle, Joe discovered a love for imagining spaces, drawing, and art in his early teens. He started taking technical drawing classes and several ceramics and sculpture classes which helped to develop his eye for design. In 2017, Joe toured the NDSU architecture program and immediately knew that was where he would go to school. He graduated with his Master of Architecture degree in Spring 2024 and two days later headed out to Colorado to start his career at F9.
Name: Tyler McNutt, Project Designer
Education and Experience:
Tyler knew from a young age that he had always wanted to be an architect. Born and raised in Saint Joseph, Missouri, Tyler’s interest in architecture increased exponentially after visiting The Wyeth Tootle Mansion. He began his architecture career at North Dakota State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture Design, along with his Master’s Degree of Architecture. During his time at North Dakota State University, Tyler competed as a Division I wrestler for 5 years earning Academic All Big 12 Honors. Outside of architecture, Tyler enjoys being outside and exploring nature. Known as “Coach” in the office, Tyler enjoys pushing his colleagues on push-up Fridays. Tyler started working for F9 after graduating in 2020.
Superpowers: Eating a whole pizza by myself.
Name: Alayna Moeller, Interior Designer
Education and Experience:
Superpowers: Drinking Diet Coke
Name: Delaney, Interior Designer
Education and Experience:
Delaney is a senior at Colorado State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and Design with a minor in Real Estate. Originally from Vail, Colorado, she grew up surrounded by great architecture, mountain views, and endless opportunities to be creative. From a young age, she loved creating things and was always drawn to art and design. Her passion for creativity led her to pursue a career in design, where she enjoys combining creative thinking with problem-solving to create spaces that are meaningful.
On the weekends you’ll usually find her competing in volleyball tournaments, skiing, spending time with family and friends, traveling, or simply taking advantage of everything Colorado has to offer.
Delaney is excited to be part of the F9 team and looks forward to learning from such a talented group and continuing to grow.
Superpower: I have two options…operating on zero sleep or Social Butterfly
Name: Milo, Barkitecht
Education and Experience:
Milo, the “resident barkitect” at F9 Productions, has been a steadfast and vigilant presence in the firm for 7 years and counting. His unwavering loyalty and watchful demeanor makes him an indispensable and formidable member of the F9 Productions team.
Check out our Podcast:
Inside the Firm
How to: Start, Run, and Grow a Business
Inside the Firm is a raw look into the inner workings of an Architecture firm. Posted every Friday afternoon principles and host, Alex Gore and Lance Cayko, dive into the nitty gritty issues of how to start, run, and maintain your firm, to dealing with clients, codes issues, Revit tips and tricks, and more.
Listen to it on: iTunes Sticher insidethefirmpodcast.com
the book
The Creativity Code is about taking back creativity in a structured way, and making intangible ideas concrete. This jam-packed guide will help you find hidden opportunities, solve unique problems, and create what you think is impossible.
“Whether I’m talking to Fortune 500 CEOs or Silicon Valley startup founders, they are all saying that innovation and creativity are the things they want most from their workforce. In this day and age creativity is the must-have skill that will propel anyone’s career regardless of their profession. This book teaches you specific concepts that drive creativity, uses real world examples, and provides a hands on guide to make sure you can apply it.”
Kevn Kruse, New York Times Bestselling Author
