A Resilient, Multi-generational Mountain Retreat that Meets Extreme Alpine Conditions

Set high within the exposed terrain of Powder Mountain Ski Resort, a ski-in/ski-out mountain residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture merges Japanese-inspired design thinking with the demands of extreme alpine conditions. Conceived as a long-term, multi-generational retreat, the home balances sculptural form, environmental resilience, and adaptability across life stages.

Due to its remote location, the home is run completely off of propane, and heated by highly-efficient radiant heat throughout.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

Located within the Powder Mountain Ski Resort, this ski-in/ski-out residence represents one of Sparano + Mooney Architecture's newest mountain sanctuaries.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

View of the primary bathroom and sweeping landscape beyond.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

The conceptual foundation draws from kirigami—the Japanese art of cutting and folding paper—translated into architectural expression through folded planes, layered thresholds, and a dynamic exterior skin. This influence reflects the clients’ deep appreciation for Japanese culture and design, which guided both the spatial logic and material restraint of the project.

The onsen-area walls and ceilings utilize cedar for the wood’s aroma and aesthetics, and stone tile for the floors.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

View to the upper level from the multi-level stairway.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

Throughout the interiors, hem fir is used as the primary finish.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

Inside, the house embraces a clean, modern aesthetic shaped by careful curation rather than minimalism alone. Interiors are designed to accommodate visitors of all ages, including aging family members, with universal access embedded into the circulation strategy. From the garage, occupants enter a corridor housing an elevator that connects all levels, enabling aging in place while supporting multi-generational living without compromise.

Desiring a clean, modern aesthetic, the interior design of the home and its art were chosen with this aesthetic in mind, leading to an eclectic yet curated space.
Interiors by Westhoven Design.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

The intimate living room offers sweeping views of the landscape from all directions.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist.

The intimate living room offers sweeping views of the landscape from all directions.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

Sustainability and self-sufficiency were central to the project, particularly given its remote, high-elevation setting. The home operates entirely on propane and relies on highly efficient radiant heating throughout. Southern façades are protected by overhangs to manage solar gain, while operable windows positioned strategically throughout the house provide natural cooling and ventilation during warmer months.

The highly corrosion-resistant steel-zinc composite is perfect for the elements. One section is perforated, with standing-seam panels, while some are opaque.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

The southern façades feature overhangs, and temperatures are controlled with operable windows at key locations to provide any necessary cooling, ensuring a sustainable design approach.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

Kitchen amenities include Thermador and Wolf appliances, a recessed induction cooktop in the main kitchen, panel-ready and built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator, and gas cooktop in the scullery, with designated space for smaller countertop appliances.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

The residence unfolds across multiple levels, including a primary suite positioned five feet above the main floor. This upper-level retreat features a private deck and steam shower and can be fully separated from the rest of the home, offering privacy and flexibility. Public spaces emphasize indoor–outdoor connection: the dining room opens directly to a courtyard via a multi-slide door system, while the main kitchen remains visually unobstructed, free of overhead cabinetry or ceiling-mounted fixtures. A secondary scullery kitchen, equipped with a built-in bar, supports entertaining and is located adjacent to the media room.

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.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

The multi-level layout offers privacy between levels and also facilitates aging in place and multi-generational living.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

The primary suite with a private deck and steam shower is located 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.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

Material choices reinforce both durability and sensory experience. Hem fir dominates the interior finishes, paired with rift white oak cabinetry, black granite countertops, and polished concrete floors. In contrast, the onsen-inspired bathing area introduces cedar—selected for its aroma and warmth—and stone tile flooring, creating a tactile retreat within the home.

The ski room features blackened steel and custom grates over polished concrete flooring.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

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.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

The home’s custom, bent-metal TEKKō™ steel exterior wraps around the structure in a mixture of solid and perforated panels.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

The stark mountain landscape surrounding the site informed a broader architectural tension between movement and permanence. This is most evident in the exterior cladding system, where custom bent-metal TEKKō™ steel wraps the structure in a combination of solid and perforated panels. The steel’s ability to bend and fold allows it to articulate corners, upper levels, and courtyard edges seamlessly, while its corrosion-resistant steel–zinc composition ensures longevity in harsh alpine conditions.

The high-elevation mountain site is completely exposed and receives an average annual snowfall of 225”, requiring the home to be designed to withstand wind speeds of 110 mph and support a snow load of 228lbs/sf.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

The formidable expanse of stark terrain surrounding the home inspired the design team to explore a dichotomy of undulation versus permanence within this blank canvas.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

Interior view showcasing the beautiful symmetry between the expansive glass and hem fir interior finish.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

Environmental performance was addressed through both form and envelope. The building is oriented to minimize disruption to the native landscape while maximizing opportunities for interaction with nature. Designed to endure annual snowfall averaging 225 inches, wind speeds of up to 110 mph, and heavy snow loads, the structure incorporates robust insulation strategies throughout. Walls achieve R-38 insulation, while the roof assembly reaches R-70. A white PVC roof with a high Solar Reflectance Index further enhances energy efficiency.

The high-elevation mountain site is completely exposed and receives an average annual snowfall of 225”, requiring the home to be designed to withstand wind speeds of 110 mph and support a snow load of 228lbs/sf.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

Quiet interior view.
Photo credit: Matt Winquist

High-performance glazing and continuous exterior insulation contribute to a tightly sealed envelope, while backup energy systems—including two Tesla Powerwall units—provide resilience during power outages. The home also includes an electric vehicle charging station, reflecting a forward-looking approach to mobility. Kitchen specifications align with the home’s understated luxury, featuring appliances from Thermador, Wolf, and Sub-Zero, along with high-performance windows and doors by Marvin. Together, these elements support a home that is as functional as it is refined.

Ultimately, the project demonstrates how cultural reference, environmental responsibility, and architectural precision can converge in a residence designed not only for its setting, but for longevity—both ecological and human.

Sparano + Mooney Architecture

Sparano + Mooney Architecture is a renowned collective of architects and craftspeople dedicated to elevating the mythology, history, and landscape of the American West through design excellence. The firm draws inspiration from the rich and timeless modern traditions in architecture, and creates warm and inviting environments that respond to contemporary conditions.

Since 1997, the practice has employed a rigorous, research-based conceptual design approach, developing architecture that reflects an area of study unique to each client’s vision, while carefully considering the site and program, as well as the cultural and community contexts. The firm has cultivated a reputation for delivering landmark arts and culture facilities, community centers for civic agencies and non-profit institutions, as well as residential homes set in unique landscapes.