Written by Natalie Taylor | Photos by Scot Zimmerman

Marc and Becky Briggs are on the verge of being empty nesters. With two children in college and the youngest a senior in high school, they wanted a home that  could accommodate their next phase in life and still be comfortable for large family gatherings.

Although they had never built a home before, they knew exactly what they wanted. “We had a small cabin at Promontory Club, so we went to the Park City Showcase of Homes every year and collected notes of what we liked,” Marc says. And what they craved was something bold. “The Briggs wanted a contemporary home with a fresh twist,” explains John Shirley, principal architect at Think Architecture, Inc. “We incorporated radius roof lines with sharp angles to create unique, organic appeal.”

“It’s more fun and interesting to be different,” says Becky. “We wanted our home to be welcoming and full of personality.” To accomplish this, the couple hired a talented team that collaborated from the very beginning. “Everything we did started at the front end,” says Dan Stewart, owner of Tri-City Construction, Inc. “We all fully understood each person’s job, vision and strengths. We discussed everything from structure to hall sizes—all the variables so we could make smart decisions.” Novel ideas were welcomed. “Dan is so creative—he’s got a great eye for design,” says Marc. “He literally sketched the idea for the office ceiling on the drywall.”

The creative team included interior designer Linda Ashton, who devised a spirited décor using a neutral color palette embellished with shots of bright color, metallic elements and sparkling glass. As the past owner of an interior design showroom and manager of the Construction Design Group for Hamilton Park Interiors, Ashton brought experience to the job. She also enjoyed insider information. As Marc’s mother, she intimately knew the family and its wants and needs. “One room is dedicated to Marc’s golf,” she says. “Becky has an oversized closet which showcases her fashionista sensibilities.” As Becky explains, working with her mother-in-law had many advantages. “Linda knows measurements and specifications, so when it was time to build, all those elements had been figured out.”

Because the couple likes to entertain, the house features a home theater and ample space for get-togethers. It also boasts four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, three powder rooms as well as a craft room for Becky and home office for Marc. And then there are the jaw-dropping views of the Salt Lake valley below. Floor-to-ceiling windows on the main level flood the space with views and natural light, while cloud ceilings in the living room and front entry bring the high radius ceiling down to a cozy, intimate level. Throughout, the nuts and bolts of building the spectacular structure are hidden, so elements including the staircase, fireplaces and even ceilings appear to be suspended in space. “We’d have an idea and the team would say, ‘We’ve never done that before, but we’re up for the challenge,’ and we’d laugh our way through it,” says Becky.

While the home is loaded with head-turning features and design elements, Marc and Becky identify the real showstopper as the front entry which maximizes the site’s full potential. The welcoming entry leads from the front door directly to the staircase and the back yard beyond. It’s open, friendly and inviting—just like the homeowners themselves.

DESIGN DRIVEN

1. Dan Stewart drew geometric designs for the recessed ceiling feature that’s the centerpiece of Marc’s home office. Soft-gray walls and stunning views of Corner Canyon help homeowner Marc channel inspiration.

2. The front entry allows guests see past the staircase and through the entire house. Identical stone is used inside and out for a seamless, unifying impression. The open canopy gives it a sense of enclosure while plantings on either side of the sidewalk frame the walk.

3. Surrounded by city views, an inviting sitting area includes a sectional paired with orange leather recliners and a table with olive ash burl veneers.

4. Undulating waves in the powder room cabinet, faux onyx wallpaper and dimensional backsplash tile give the space a sense of movement and echo the radius-roof lines and other rhythmic elements in the home.

Sources:

Architect: John Shirley, principal, Think Architecture, Incorporated., SLC

Builder: Dan Stewart, owner, Tri-City Construction Inc., Draper

Interior Designer: Linda Briggs-Ashton, Hamilton Park Interiors, Murray (for information, contact Liz Crowder, Hamilton Park Interiors, lcrowder@hamiltonparkut.com)

Landscape Design: Roth Landscape Services, 801-571-8088