This Snowy Vacation Retreat Was Inspired by Forest Bathing

For this new-build vacation home in Park City, Utah, the owners dreamt of a space that was was completely immersed and nature, and designed for stillness, reflection, and renewal. “From the earliest stages, the design team drew inspiration from the Japanese practice of forest bathing, exploring how architecture could evoke the meditative calm of being enveloped by the landscape,” explains architect Anne Mooney of Sparano + Mooney.

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The homeowners—California-based professionals with three children and several dogs—had a vision for a vacation retreat that they could enjoy for many generations and that could be used throughout the year, both for family getaways and longer vacations with friends and relatives. When they came across the site, one of them felt an instant connection to the beautiful land, which became the foundation of the design.

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“Rather than disrupt the terrain or diminish the sense of wonder it inspired, we sought to honor it by preserving the existing vegetation and allowing the structure to step gently down the hillside, as if it had grown there over time,” Anne says.

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When Anne and her team visited the site for the first time, they had a picnic with their clients in a small clearing amongst aspens. They were inspired to nestle the home within the aspens and meadow clearing. “The site is sloped and the architecture steps up with the site; views of the mountain and the meadow below unfold as you walk through the residence,” she adds.

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As you walk into the three-story home, you’ll see that it’s centered around the kitchen and living space on the main level. A library/media/billiards room is also on the main floor, along with a primary suite that feels completely removed from the common areas. On the lower level is a ski room, gym, living space, games room, and walk-out basement. Above the garage is a small guest suite, yoga room, and outdoor deck. Adjacent to the garage is a heated motor court and space for a pickleball court.

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“The couple planned to use the home as a quiet getaway, as well as a place to gather with friends and family,” Anne explains. “The spaces are organized so that occupants feel comfortable whether just two people are using the space or a larger group, and always provide the opportunity to find a quiet space away from the main center of activity.”

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The architecture team worked with designer Kirsten Molz of KHM Design to create a warm and inviting sanctuary. The house contains beautiful vintage pieces like Helena Tynell bubble lighting, three matching 1960s chandeliers, and vintage sconces. Other high-design decor include a matte-black Lacanche stove and hand-painted silk Griffin and Wong wallpaper in the library.

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And not only is the home a relaxing retreat, it’s also a sustainable one with passive design principles and systems, like high-performance glazing, spray foam insulation, radiant floor heating, skylights to bring in natural daylight, and floor-to-ceiling glass and aluminum doors by Reynaers in the living room. 

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“The exterior cladding is thermally-modified radiata pine by ReSawn Timber; this rapid-growth species will patina much like cedar, but will not contribute to deforestation in the same manner,” explains Anne.

The peaceful getaway is exactly what the owners envisioned. They said, “I can honestly say it has outstripped our expectations, pretty much in every way. It’s a home our children also enjoy coming back to—it’s just a perfect place for us all to congregate and spend time together.”