A Modern Home Embedded Into Utah’s Gorgeous Mountain Landscape

Nature’s beauty is infinite and we often use it as inspiration for both big and small projects. This gorgeous house from Park City, Utah is just one example of how architecture can be influenced by the elements around it. 

The main idea behind this design was to somehow embed the architecture into the site
The main idea behind this design was to somehow embed the architecture into the site

The house is designed by studio Sparano + Mooney Architecture and was completed in 2016. It occupies a 4-acre site with lovely views of the mountain peaks and nearby Utah Winter Olympic Park. As such, the strategy was to borrow elements from these amazing surroundings in order to create a unique design that complements them. 

The outdoor deck is a beautiful extension of the living room and reveals a gorgeous view
The outdoor deck is a beautiful extension of the living room and reveals a gorgeous view

For the exterior the architects used a combination of materials that complement each other. We have concrete which is rough and has a rugged and industrial look but also wood which adds warmth and glass which gives the house a modern look and helps to make the transition between the indoor and outdoor areas more fluid. All the large windows and sliding glass doors also help to bring the beautiful scenery inside and to make the mountain views a part of the interior decor. On top of it all the house also has a green roof with lots of native plants. The colors and the ambiance up here change and mirror the surrounding landscape each season throughout the year. 

The private and public areas are distinctive separate spaces in different volumes
The private and public areas are distinctive separate spaces in different volumes
The tall ceiling in the living area allowed for these beautiful low-hanging pendant lamps to be added
The tall ceiling in the living area allowed for these beautiful low-hanging pendant lamps to be added
The site is surrounded by magnificent mountains on all sides and the views are magnificent
The site is surrounded by magnificent mountains on all sides and the views are magnificent
The large overhangs offers limited protection against the elements but also create shade in summer
The large overhangs offers limited protection against the elements but also create shade in summer

Stepping inside, you can see a clear distinction between the private and the public spaces. The social areas are combined into a big open space with easy access to an outdoor deck. They have a high ceiling and they’re very nice and open but they also feel contained, cozy and comfortable. The designers managed to do that by making each individual zone feel its own separate space even though there are no physical barriers between them. 

The kitchen, dining are and living room are combined into a big open space and the transition between them in seamless
The kitchen, dining are and living room are combined into a big open space and the transition between them in seamless
The full-height windows bring in the beautiful views and the fireplace gives this sitting area a very cozy feel
The full-height windows bring in the beautiful views and the fireplace gives this sitting area a very cozy feel
The master bedroom suite has its own open deck area with sliding glass doors
The master bedroom suite has its own open deck area with sliding glass doors
All the rooms inside the house get to enjoy different views of the amazing mountainous landscape that surrounds the site
All the rooms inside the house get to enjoy different views of the amazing mountainous landscape that surrounds the site
The combination of concrete, wood and glass is very fitting for a modern house such as this
The combination of concrete, wood and glass is very fitting for a modern house such as this
This is the staircase which connects the floor and it too is designed using the same main materials
This is the staircase which connects the floor and it too is designed using the same main materials