Sparano + Mooney clads Utah residence in hundreds of scale-like steel shingles
American firm Sparano + Mooney Architecture has covered a family home in Utah with hundreds of weathering steel plates to give the exterior a textured appearance (+ slideshow).
Located just outside Salt Lake City, the two-level Emigration Canyon Residence was built for a young family with children. It is sited within a wooded mountain landscape typical of Utah.
![emigration-canyon-house-sparano-mooney_dezeen_2364_3](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-canyon-house-sparano-mooney_dezeen_2364_3-852x1278.jpg)
The three-bedroom residence encompasses 2,500 square feet (232 square metres). Most of the living spaces are on the upper level, while the lower floor houses the garage and a multi-purpose room.
The architects chose to clad the compact home in hundreds of individual steel plates.
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-canyon-house-sparano-mooney_dezeen_2364_0-852x661.jpg)
"The cladding was selected to amplify the non-static quality of domestic life, as it is slowly transforming from a metallic steel to a mottled rusted colour," said the firm.
Guests enter directly up an exterior flight of stairs to the top level. A small vestibule leads to the main living space.
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-canyon-house-sparano-mooney-cred-Dustin-Aksland_dezeen_2364_5-852x1084.jpg)
The eastern portion of the residence is occupied by the living room, dining table and kitchen. In this area, a fireplace is also clad in the steel shingles.
The long wall of the house comprises a series of floor-to-ceiling sliding glass windows. "The great room opens to the canyon with a 30-foot (9.1 metres) operable wall, transforming the space into an outdoor room," said the architects.
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-canyon-house-sparano-mooney-cred-Dustin-Aksland_dezeen_2364_7-852x639.jpg)
The western part of the home encompasses the resident's sleeping quarters.
The two children's bedrooms are located on the house's southern side.
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-canyon-house-sparano-mooney-cred-Dustin-Aksland_dezeen_2364_0-852x670.jpg)
Across the hallway is the master suite, which includes a walk-in closet and a private bathroom.
The closet is situated in the middle of the room, and separates the bedroom from the bathroom.
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-canyon-house-sparano-mooney-cred-Dustin-Aksland_dezeen_2364_3-852x1136.jpg)
The residence has several sustainability features integrated into its design.
The steel used for the facade was recycled, and practically every room of the house is illuminated by daylight – requiring almost no electricity for lighting during the day.
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-canyon-house-sparano-mooney_dezeen_2364_5-852x566.jpg)
Weathering steel is a popular cladding material in Utah.
Examples of homes that use the material include a house by local firm Imbue Design and a pair of cabins built by students at the University of Colorado Denver on a Navajo reservation.
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-site-plan-sized.gif)
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-bottom-floor-plan-sized.gif)
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-top-floor-plan-sized.gif)
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-long-section-sized.gif)
![Emigration Canyon Residence by Sparano + Mooney Architecture](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/emigration-cross-section-sized.gif)