KIRIGAMI | Sparano + Mooney Architecture

Kirigami: to fold; the Japanese art of cutting and folding paper in a creative manner; a concept similar to origami from the East Asian tradition.

For this carefully-crafted winter retreat, Sparano + Mooney Architecture was strongly inspired by the Japanese art of kirigami. Designed and built for clients whose appreciation of Japanese design influenced the home’s overall concept, this ski-in/ski-out mountain sanctuary can also accommodate visitors, multi-generational living, and the potential for aging in place. Desiring a clean, modern design, the clients’ taste in interior design and art were chosen with this aesthetic in mind, leading to an eclectic yet curated space.

Throughout the interiors, hem fir is used as the primary finish with cabinetry in rift white oak, countertops and accent counters in black granite, and flooring in polished concrete. The exception is the onsen-area walls and ceilings, which utilized cedar for the wood’s aroma and aesthetics, and stone tile for the floors.

The multi-level layout includes a primary suite with a private deck and steam shower on the upper level, which is stepped up from the main level by 5’ and can be completely separated from the rest of the home.

The lower-level houses two bedrooms and a separate bunk room with stacked built-in bunkbeds, the spa/onsen space and mudroom/ski room in blackened steel. A media room with a low-throw projector on the main level has no windows and is acoustically separated from the rest of the home, in particular the primary suite.

The dining room with its multi-slide door system opens onto the courtyard, while the main kitchen is completely open with no ceiling-based cabinetry, fixtures or fittings to allow for an uninterrupted flow of energy and viewpoints. The scullery kitchen with a small built-in bar is located near the media room.

An elevator was integrated into the design so the clients could consider their future needs as well as those of their parents, who might one day move into the home. In the meantime, visitors can travel from the garage into a corridor where the elevator is located, and easily access the main level and kitchen.

The facade’s exterior cladding is made from TEKKō™ steel, which the team selected for its ability to bend and fold around the home’s upper level and throughout the courtyard, with standing seams that then turn into the corners. The highly-corrosion resistant steel- zinc composite is perfect for the elements.

One section is perforated, with standing- seam panels, while some are opaque. The sustainable design goals were centered around creating a form and approach that would exert minimal impact on the native landscape while still providing opportunities for interaction with nature.

Due to its remote location at an altitude of 8,800’ elevation, the home is run completely off of propane, and is heated by highly- efficient radiant heat throughout; the southern façades feature overhangs, and temperatures are controlled with operable windows at key locations to provide any necessary cooling.

Located within Powder Mountain Ski Resort, this exquisitely-detailed home is conveniently positioned on the north and west sides of ski runs, while the east side is designated snow storage and will not be built upon.

KIRIGAMI
Eden, UT at Powder Mountain Resort

Architecture
Sparano + Mooney Architecture

Interiors
Westhoven Design

Builder
Benchmark Modern

Photography
Matt Winquist