While Midway architecture is often associated with its Swiss and farm heritage, new contemporary and modern homes are popping up in this growing Wasatch Back town.
Late summer is a beautiful time in Midway, and this home is located on a view lot at the southwestern edge of town near Wasatch State Park’s Silver and Gold golf courses and Soldier Hollow, a 2002 Olympic venue for cross-country skiing and biathlon that is now also a competitive mountain biking destination. Visitors to Swiss Days know Midway and the Swiss-themed town center, and many of the new developments follow a farmhouse aesthetic. However, there is more variation to be seen in the new residences popping up.
The photo above is to the north where the driveway takes you to the entry. The home is concrete with wood, materials that continue inside. The home has natural grass landscaping that has matured since the home’s completion just a few years ago. Hobble Creek Construction, American Fork, (Bryan Bird and Spencer Johnson) built the home, and Harris Architects, Orem, designed it.
This view is from the south, the same as the opening shot. The roofs slope up to maximize the views to Mount Timpanogos, and windows are maximized on this side. While most of the lot is natural grasses, there is a portion in lawn.
A deep covered porch shelters the entryway. A wide door flanked by a window opens to an interior that is transparent to the view beyond.
Entering the one-level home, it steps down from the entry and hallway to the main living area. The design is a semi-partitioned open plan, an approach that offers some separation of living areas without being completely compartmentalized by walls.
You can see how the semi-partitioning works in the kitchen. A concrete wall to the right partially shields it from the hallway and a short wall with appliances and storage breaks up what would otherwise have been an open connection to the dining and living area. The kitchen is further defined by a different roof pitch and ceiling material than the dining-living area.
The natural richness of the wooden ceiling nicely counters the concrete floors and walls. The window wall floods the area with natural light and offers views to the green hillsides and Wasatch peaks. The area rug and hanging light fixtures further define the dining area.
Similarly, an area rug anchors a furniture grouping of black leather seating around the black fireplace in the living area. The entry to the right connects to a music room.
A bedroom enjoys views. The natural grass and low-water landscape can be seen as it surrounds the bedroom patio.
By coincidence, years before this area was developed, I lived nearby. My home at that time was built at the turn-of-the-century to a traditional brick design that didn’t vary by location, view, or sun exposure. The result — while I lived in a beautiful area, it was best appreciated by being outside. The windows didn’t capture the views nor the breezes, and there were no overhangs to shield from glare or too much sun gain. This modern design offers a world of difference.
See more from Scot Zimmerman here.
