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A Mountain House That Balances Sustainability and Tranquility
Sparano + Mooney Architecture, based in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, has completed a new residential project titled "Nest" in Utah, United States. Located on an 8-acre plot within an elevated terrain, this 8,207-square-foot ski-in/ski-out mountain retreat exemplifies passive design principles and advanced environmental technologies.
The ski-in/ski-out property features a full gear room with equipment racks. Even the clients’ pets factored into the home’s design, which includes a dog-wash zone comprised of concrete-and metal paneling as well as drainage grating and a secure outdoor dog run.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
Commissioned by a California-based couple, the design concept focused on "forest bathing," aiming to harmonize the house with its surrounding aspen grove. The team preserved as much of the existing vegetation as possible and stepped the house along the sloping terrain. Retaining walls were subtly integrated into the landscape, guiding visitors gradually into a wide meadow.
This highly-sustainable home embodies industry-best passive design principles and systems, including high-performance glazing, spray foam insulation, radiant floor heating, skylights in the hallways to provide natural daylighting and abundant daylighting in every space, as well as floor-to-ceiling glass and aluminum doors by Reynaers in the living room that open to the meadow and a covered exterior deck.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The thermally-modified radiata pine exterior by ReSawn Timber honors the forested landscape, while board-formed concrete accents the cladding.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
Detail of the thermally-modified ReSawn Timber radiata pine exterior.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The home is as beautiful as it is efficient. Refined materials augment the home’s sophistication within the landscape. Custom metal work surrounds the home’s entry, with blackened stainless steel exterior canopies over the entry door and deck and blackened steel accents throughout.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
Balancing tranquility and recreational opportunity, the residence separates the main bedroom suite via a bridge from the rest of the house. The interior accommodates multiple functions: three guest rooms, a bunk room, guest suite, six full bathrooms, a powder room, yoga/meditation space, home office, gym with sauna, hot tub, and a heated garage with a regulation pickleball court.
Interior designer Kirsten Molz of KHM Design wanted the home to feel warm, comfortable and inviting, and chose creamy off-white plaster for the ceiling and walls of the living room for the material’s natural refinement.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
Co-Founder and Principal Architect Anne Mooney, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, describes the glass-walled hallways as “bridges” that connect various parts of the house while taking advantage of spectacular year-round views surrounding the residence.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The home’s interior is primarily finished with natural oak hardwood flooring, cabinetry and trim, as well as Venetian plaster walls and metal detailing.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The kitchen features a butler’s pantry with wine fridge, secondary oven, prep space, and coffee bar. Centered around a Lacanche Forneaux range and equipped with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, it caters to the clients’ passion for cooking and entertaining. Entertainment spaces include a billiards/library/den combo and a lower-level family room with kitchenette and custom mural.
The clients’ desire for privacy is echoed throughout the design of the house, with the primary suite functioning as a sanctuary separated by a bridge-connector from the main living spaces, which in turn easily accommodate an abundance of guests when clients want to entertain and host their family and friends.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The primary bedroom features a bed and night stands from Amber Interiors. The lamps are by Natan Moss.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The design for the primary bathroom perfectly frames the surrounding aspen trees.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
View of the primary bathroom from the suite’s dedicated hallway.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The clients love to cook and entertain, so integrating a butler’s pantry adjacent to the main kitchen for additional storage and prep space was important in order to maximize the space’s functionality; a cozy reading and coffee nook accents the room.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
Nest also incorporates sustainable features throughout: high-performance glazing, spray foam insulation, radiant floors, skylights, and floor-to-ceiling Reynaers doors open to the meadow. A hillside to the west shields afternoon sun, while morning light warms the space naturally—making this residence as efficient as it is serene.
The focal point of the main kitchen is the Lacanche Forneaux range and Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. Additional highlights include white oak flooring and cabinets, and stools with woven leather seats from Thomas Hayes Studio.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
These stairs descend to a media room and bedrooms on the lower level.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The stairwell is illuminated by Alabaster pendant lamps from Restoration Hardware.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The library functions as a den space and billiards room; its pool table features a removable top and can also serve as a dining table.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
The powder room features a custom-marble vanity and is finished in dark plaster.
Photo credit: Photography by Joe Fletcher
About Sparano + Mooney Architecture
Sparano + Mooney Architecture is a collective of architects and craftspeople dedicated to expressing the mythology, history, and landscape of the American West through design. Founded in 1997, the firm applies research-driven conceptual frameworks to each project, responding to client vision, site, and cultural context. The firm has received over 50 design and honor awards, including the 2017 AIA Western Mountain Region Firm of the Year and 2013 AIA Utah Firm of the Year. Founders Anne Mooney, FAIA, and John Sparano, FAIA, were both awarded the AIA Western Mountain Region Silver Medal. Their first monograph, Sparano + Mooney Architecture: A Way of Working (Hatje Cantz), showcases their commitment to creating sustainable, site-specific architecture embedded in extraordinary landscapes.
