Steel-Clad Emigration Canyon Residence Captures Views, Rainwater and Daylight

The Emigration Canyon Residence, designed by LA-based <a href="http://sparanomooney.com/projects/Emigration_Canyon_Residence.php" target="_blank">Sparano Mooney Architecture</a>, is located just above Salt Lake City, UT with beautiful views of the Wasatch Mountains and the local flora and fauna of the high desert canyon. With rainwater collection, plenty of natural daylight and energy efficient systems, this bi-level, cor-ten steel encased home has earned LEED Silver certification.

Emigration Canyon is a beautiful setting set just outside of the Salt Lake Valley and is home to home to many families who want to be close to the city but enjoy the outdoors.

Sightings of elk, moose, deer, hawks and eagles are quite common here and this family wanted to make sure they could take all the sights in from within their house.

The contemporary family residence is a 2,500 sq ft house with two levels and sized for a couple with their young children.

The main living spaces are located on the top floor, with multi-use and flexible space on the lower floor for house guests, a home office, a playroom or an art studio.

Completed in 2009, the home soon earned its LEED Silver certification for its incorporation of a number of sustainable strategies.

Water use is minimized with dual-flush toilets and a rainwater capture system for irrigation of the gardens.

Solatube skylights, solar passive design and deep window wells pull in lots of daylight while minimizing solar heat gain, especially during the warmer summer months.

In floor radiant heating provides energy efficient heating and cooling, while durable materials like cor-ten steel and concrete minimize maintenance.

Finally outside, native and drought-tolerant landscaping minimizes water use, complements the architecture, and blends in with the surrounding natural landscape.

Side elevation cutaway of the Emigration Canyon Residence.