Project

Clients
We were approached by two young, energetic, thoughtful, and fun clients who asked us to help them create a home in the heart of Sugar House. Lucky we are to be able to work with like-minded individuals who are hoping for a more conscious, modern, minimal way of living.

Challenge
A small, urban lot with a minimal footprint, and stringent height codes, running N-S. Views could be grasped on the upper level to the Wasatch facing the Southeast. We wanted to design a home that is as energy effect as possible, which led us to utilize Passive House detailing and approaches.

Spacial Approach
Flipped the house, running the main living spaces (Kitchen, Living, Dining + Master bedroom) on the upper level, whilst the ground floor houses 2 spare bedrooms, 1 bathroom, utility room, and mechanical room. We set the house further to the W. of the lot, which opened up the house to the east. We then placed a deck on the main (upper level) along the East side of the house, which allows for views to the SE to the Wasatch Mountain range. We have an added benefit that the neighboring house on the East is more quaint, with a shorter roof line. The main living space has the largest openings facing the back yard and existing mature trees.

Outcomes
We designed super insulated (10” thick double stud walls) covered with resilient materials tied to the site. The base of the house, on the ground level, is all brick, inspired by the neighborhood’s historic use of the material. The upper level is dark box-rib metal paneling, which requires no maintenance. The windows are triple pane, european windows from GLO windows. We retained a flat roof on the roof, which will someday be outfitted with a roof deck and PV solar array. The stoke is high.

Builder
Living Home Construction

Interior Designer
Mette Axboe