text and photos by Scot Zimmerman
I’ve been told that Salt Lake City homebuilders held the nation’s first parade of homes in 1946, and since, it is a Utah tradition that attracts more people each year.
My own tradition is to try to photograph at least one of the homes in the St. George Parade of Homes, and last week I made photographs of a home called The Bison built by Markay Johnson Construction with architecture by Rob McQuay Architects and interior design by the successful duo of Ashley Johnson (wife of Markay) and artist/designer Greg Abbott.
Unfortunately, it rained on my parade the first day, but the skies cleared unexpectedly on the second day. Many attend the home shows to see the latest advances in design, materials, furnishings, and lifestyle, and it was interesting to watch the traffic outside during the days before the show opened as people strained for quick peeks.
I was impressed by how well this home handled light and shadows. Deep overhangs protect the interior spaces from glare, while carefully positioned clerestories kept the interior bathed in sufficient natural light. The open floor plan made the most of the space, and columns, beams, and lowered ceilings defined the rooms and gave each a distinctive identity.
The interior has a cool background of gray that Johnson and Abbott warmed with rich woods, and tiles and accents in a range of orange tones, complemented by stone and warm accents in beige to browns. These natural colors seem to be especially at home in desert homes where there are so many connections to outdoor living and the bright desert color near Snows Canyon.
Statistics show how the size of homes increases every year, and I have certainly observed that trend in parade homes. The Bison seemed much larger because of the open plan, but was limited to a master bedroom, a children’s bunkroom, and an office in addition to the open living. Adjacent and to the front is a separate casita for guests. It seems a very comfortable size and livable home. The Parade runs through February 25, 2018 .
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Credits
Builder Markay Johnson Construction
Architecture Rob McQuay Architects
Interior design GAAJ Design
