The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1326760
T asked with an approximately $3,600,000 budget, OBICUA constructed the project in Eden, Utah, which is located approximately one hour north of the Salt Lake City Airport. e location is one of the spectacular assets of the design. It sits about 3,000 feet above sea level on Utah's Powder Mountain which has been deemed one of the most skiable areas in the country hosting a wide variety of trails for both avid ski and snowboard enthusiasts. With a wide 360-degree view, e Kinii gives you the ability to view the neighboring states of Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. e location was carefully selected as it allows for admiration of the mountainous beauty of the region, while causing no damage or alteration to the environment. e project followed LEED protocols that hold a high standard for sustainable buildings and environmental protection. OBICUA was tasked with minimizing the impact on the lot and local ecosystem. e studio focused on the historical- artistic context of the building and also applied processes that minimize the spread of heat due to the compact nature of the design, in turn, reducing the footprint on the construction site. e lodge was meant to be a winter escape for the owner and his family. ey wanted a cozy home to spend time away from the fast-paced nature of the city. ey needed to make the Kinii able to stand on the mountain's summit but still endure the area's bleak winter climate conditions. It also was important for them to stay close to the community of the Powder Mountain summit—a community that includes innovators and investors. e Kinii lodge features a green roof. e architects put this feature in place for one-of-a-kind insulation to combat the harsh winds and UV radiation. e building's shape was designed with the purpose of contouring precisely to the land's features. Nearly every detail included in the structure is the result of OBICUA's careful observance and application to maximize the building's aesthetics while respecting the environment. When entering the prominent front side of the house, there is a noticeable split in the complex. e house is divided into two main differentiated blocks. One side of the complex is for guests and children, while the other side is for the exclusive use of the owners. For this project, the OBICUA architects conceived the structure with the goal of differentiating two separate areas of the house, but at the same time allowing an area that merges the whole building into one single entity under one roof. V U E N J . C O M 129