Sparano and Mooney Architecture Draw Inspiration from Kirigami
Kalin Ned — May 15, 2026 — Art & Design
References: v2com-newswire
Sparano and Mooney Architecture has completed a ski-in ski-out mountain sanctuary at Powder Mountain Ski Resort. The design of this project draws inspiration from the Japanese art of kirigami, which involves cutting and folding paper.
The ski-in ski-out mountain sanctuary boasts a custom bent-metal TEKKō steel exterior that wraps around the structure in a mixture of solid and perforated panels. The interior features hemlock fir as the primary finish, rift white oak cabinetry, black granite countertops, polished concrete floors, an onsen area with cedar walls and ceilings and stone tile floors.
Sparano and Mooney Architecture was strategic with the design of the ski-in ski-out mountain sanctuary, for the structure and the layout needed to take into consideration the extreme conditions of the site — such as 225 inches of annual snowfall, 110 miles per hour winds, and a snow load of 228 pounds per square foot. For example, the TEKKō steel exterior provides corrosion resistance and structural strength while its foldability allows for the kind of delicate, origami-like forms that create visual interest and reflect light, even in deep winter.
Image Credit: Matt Winquist
The ski-in ski-out mountain sanctuary boasts a custom bent-metal TEKKō steel exterior that wraps around the structure in a mixture of solid and perforated panels. The interior features hemlock fir as the primary finish, rift white oak cabinetry, black granite countertops, polished concrete floors, an onsen area with cedar walls and ceilings and stone tile floors.
Sparano and Mooney Architecture was strategic with the design of the ski-in ski-out mountain sanctuary, for the structure and the layout needed to take into consideration the extreme conditions of the site — such as 225 inches of annual snowfall, 110 miles per hour winds, and a snow load of 228 pounds per square foot. For example, the TEKKō steel exterior provides corrosion resistance and structural strength while its foldability allows for the kind of delicate, origami-like forms that create visual interest and reflect light, even in deep winter.
Image Credit: Matt Winquist
Trend Themes
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Kirigami-inspired Architectural Facades — The fusion of cut-and-fold geometries with structural skin creates facades that can deliver sculptural form, daylight modulation, and integrated environmental performance in a single envelope.
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Adaptive Extreme-weather Structures — Designs optimized for high snowfall and hurricane-force winds reveal new structural systems and geometries that reconcile lightweight fabrication with exceptional load-bearing capacity.
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Material-focused Aesthetic Engineering — Visible use of engineered metals, specialty woods, and stone as both finish and performance elements points to assemblies where beauty and durability are inseparable.
Industry Implications
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Luxury Mountain Hospitality — High-end resorts and private sanctuaries are positioned to capitalize on architecture that conveys bespoke craftsmanship while meeting rigorous environmental and safety standards.
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Prefabricated Building Manufacturing — Off-site production of folded-metal panels and modular structural components could transform project timelines and enable consistent performance in remote, harsh sites.
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Coatings and Corrosion-resistant Materials — Demand for durable, formable coatings and stainless alloys is rising as architects seek materials that maintain aesthetic patina and structural integrity under severe weather exposure.
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