Located within the Powder Mountain Ski Resort in Salt Lake City, Utah, this ski-in/ski-out mountain sanctuary by Sparano + Mooney Architecture was inspired by Kirigami—the Japanese art of cutting and folding paper in a creative manner, a concept similar to origami from the East Asian tradition.

Due to its remote location, the home is run entirely on propane and heated by highly efficient radiant heating throughout. The southern facades feature overhangs, and temperatures are controlled with operable windows at key locations to provide any necessary cooling, ensuring a sustainable design approach.

The multi-level layout includes a primary suite with a private deck and steam shower on the upper level, which is raised 1.5 m (5 ft) above the main level and can be completely separated from the rest of the home.

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.

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 use cedar for its aroma and stone tile for the floors.

The facade’s exterior cladding is made from steel, which the team selected for its ability to bend and fold around the home’s upper level and throughout the courtyard.