IMBUE DESIGN COVERS DESERT HOME IN CORTEN STEEL

A remote retreat that reflects its superb surroundings

Just outside of Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park is a remote desert plot owned by two professionals. The location is privileged with outcroppings of unique rock formations and exceptional views of the vast, sparsely vegetated landscape.

Seeking to create a small campus on a small budget, the owners called upon Salt Lake City-based Imbue Design. The request was simple enough: a main residence, guest house and studios that preserved the local vegetation and highlighted the incredible rock formations. But only simple in theory.

To meet the client’s demands, the architects created two mono-pitched, L-shaped structures that intersect to form the principle living space. The four volumes point in different directions, and each volume is open at the end with expansive glass windows that offer distinct views of red rocks, low vegetation and ancient juniper trees.

Rusted Corten steel clads the residence as well as the guest house and contrasts with cedar planks. Both materials are meant to naturally age under the desert sun,eventually becoming indistinguishable from the surroundings.