Powder House
Designed by Klima Architecture, Powder House embodies the character of a contemporary mountain home.
Set on a tree-lined crest just outside Park City, Powder House occupies the last empty lot in a community of cabins. The site inspired a contemporary structure that highlights Klima’s environment-led approach, preserving and drawing from its natural surroundings: enveloping pine trees, mountain peaks and the undulating landscape below.
As the third residence designed for Klima founder Chris Price and his family, Powder House reflects both personal and professional ambitions. For Price’s family, it responds to the need for space, privacy and functionality within an alpine setting; for the firm, it builds on the sustainable ethos that defines Klima’s residential work. Powder House features 12-inch-thick walls, triple-pane windows, an energy recovery ventilator and an active photovoltaic system. Like the projects that came before it, the residence is a certified Passive House.
With a stepped form, the building rises gracefully from the ground. Its solid concrete base supports a corrugated, rusted steel facade that complements the rugged surroundings. The exterior is further shaped by red brick overhangs, rear canopies that shade outdoor entertaining areas and a clean-lined roof that sweeps down toward the entrance. Its measured geometries create a form reminiscent of origami, balancing intentional design with references to nature. From the entry courtyard, the path to the front door is framed by steel plates, creating a more private journey into the home. Inside, the living, kitchen and dining areas unfold within an expansive open plan. Floor-to-ceiling windows maximise views of nature, while the remaining interiors echo the geometric facade, offering shifting perspectives throughout.
The primary suite sits directly off the living room, which culminates in an angular staircase. Built by Price and his father using blackened steel, the staircase creates a dark, sculptural counterpoint to the pine-clad walls and ceilings and polished concrete floors. Upstairs, the second level is divided into two wings: one for the children’s bedrooms and bathroom, and the other for flexible guest and work areas. A home office, gym and viewing deck add a sense of everyday luxury.
