Project: Reddish Residence
Architects: Sparano + Mooney Architecture
Location: Park City, Utah, United States
Area: 4300 ft2
Photographer: Scot Zimmerman
Inspired by the petrified wood on site, a material that over time has transformed from wood into stone, the Reddish residence also retains the memory of the past. The alchemical process is analogous to the transformation of this historic farmhouse into a contemporary residence for today.
The original is evident in what emerges as new, and the wood structure becomes stone occupying the historic footprint of the former structure. The thick, textural stone walls grow from the site, the earth, and the past. This is contrasted with wood reclaimed from the house that is treated with the shou-sugi-ban process and reapplied, blackened and protected. The architectural form is a pure iconic domestic form.
This architecture takes a contemporary approach to form. The Reddish residence responds to the site by acting as a moderator between interior spaces and the landscape. Arcades, overhangs, courtyards and site walls articulate that relationship. An arcade marked by a gesture to the street bisects an entry courtyard. This path forms a strong entry sequence that welcomes and guides the visitor through a choreographed threshold and provides a series of expanding glimpses of the site. The design offers both ideal southern orientation and full access to the mountain and meadow views. Materials include metal and wood, referencing the silo structure and the farmhouse vernacular.
What is the material palette?
Petrified wood on the site inspired us to think about how materials can change over time. The exterior combines stone, charred cedar and Corten steel that expresses time as it rusts.
How is the project unique?
The owner’s previous 105 year old farmhouse, located on the site that included a small forest of spruce and cottonwood trees close to 80 years old, was beyond repair and had to be demolished. They couple was heartbroken, but decided to rebuild. Sparano + Mooney Architecture worked to design a home that fit into the site without disrupting the trees, as well as matched the feel of the old farmhouse. The home’s original materials were kept and recycled wherever possible. The home features a barn form and connects with an existing silo on the site, which is now a home office.
