ARCHITECT:
Skylab
PHOTO:
Boone Speed
YEAR:
2020
LOCATION:
Powder Mountain, Utah, U.S.A.
LINKS:
Designed to serve as catalyst for a sustainable, densely planned residential mountaintop village, Skylodge is a 5,500-square-foot event center built on a 10,000-acre ski mountain in Utah. Set at 8,900 feet, the short construction window necessitated an innovative approach. Employing modular and prefabricated construction, enabled the construction timeline to be compressed into a brief five-month window.
A series of modules, based on 100-square-foot triangles, were fitted out on site, including finish materials, as well as mechanical and electrical systems. The resulting geometric layout is a composi-tion of two rotundas that adjoin a central spine and that are surrounded by ample exterior decks to provide dramatic four-state mountain views. Unpretentious and inviting, the exterior is expressed in reclaimed wood.
“At its core, the triangle module is rigid which supports the ability to fit out a large portion of the construction in a controlled environment,” reflects Jeff Kovel, Principal and Design Director at Skylab. “It’s also more flexible to connect with a sphere or unique geometries, creating connections that make spaces much more interesting than a simple box.”
The two rotundas—one the living room and the other the dining room—feature an eclectic mix of built-in and soft occasional furnishings, contrasting with the exposed timber interior: an expression of rustic without the rough. The living room features a sunken floor, invoking a cosy campfire gathering that can be raised to create a platform for lectures. The second rotunda is the dining room, capable of seating 80. A bar and fully equipped kitchen bridge the living and dining rooms. The building not only serves as the epicenter of groundbreaking thought and idea sharing around sus-tainability and community, but also functions as the collective amenity space for the residential units as development progresses.
Text provided by Architect
