The Gibbs Residence
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Address
Alta, Utah
Year Completed
1980
Building Type
Location Area
Thru out Salt Lake County
Architect:
Firm/Partnership
Project Description
An article concerning the Gibbs House describes the structure as: “A quiet place to think, to reflect, to escape and to bring friends to contemplate a starry sky. The owner, a theoretical physicist, wanted that little mountain cabin 9,500 ft high in the snow-capped peaks.
His site was bisected in one direction by a rough access road the other by a steep-angled ridge. In the winter, guests come in by skis, in the summer, by foot.
A clear architectural solution indicated that foundation work should be kept to a minimum, and that all elements possible should be shop-fabricated. And, since snow accumulations of 20 ft are not unusual and require structure would best resist vertical and high wind shear loads.
The architect stated, ‘Experience has shown us that, under these snow and wind conditions, flat roofs, due to wind shear, tend to keep snow accumulations to a minimum and roof loads balanced. Elevated structures which allow blow-through to keep a building free of snow on the leeward minimize the difficulties inherent in high-altitude building.’
This structure was prefabricated of four identical wall frames 10 ft x 30 ft on a 10-ft module, diagonally braced at the corner bays. Together with individual columns and beams packaged on a single trailer, these modules were delivered to the site where they were erected by a small, high-capacity crane.
Reversible venetian blinds, black on one side and chrome on the other, enclose the entire 30-ft x 30-ft space to balance heat gain/loss.
Only ‘what was necessary was done to express the intrinsic beauty of the steal frame in its mountain setting,’ according to the architect.”1
In a description of the Gibbs House, presumably written by Sugden, the author describes the structure as: “At an altitude of approximately 9,500 feet above sea level, the client wished a simple space where he could think, reflect, escape and have friends and colleagues to talk, ski, and ponder the ‘starry sky’.
The site – one acre of land – is bisected in one direction by a small, rough access road and in the other direction by a rock ridge on a very steep angle. In the winter it is accessible only by ski and in the summer by walking or by a small four-wheel drive vehicle.
The building season is short and construction is difficult. It is an exceptionally sunny area even in winter and the view from any direction is superb.
A clear architectural solution seemed to indicate that foundation work should be kept to a minimum; that all elements that could, be shop fabricated; and, since snow accumulations of around twenty feet in depth are not uncommon and require structural consideration of the highest order (140 lbs/ft2 – 160 lbs/ft2 live load), that a steel frame structure would best resist vertical as well as very high wind shear loads, singularly or combined.
Experience has shown us that under the above conditions, flat roofs, which due to wind shear tend to keep snow accumulation to a minimum and roof loads balanced; and elevated structures which allow ‘blow through’ to keep the building free of snow on the leeward side, minimize the difficulties inherent in high-altitude building.”2
Sources
1.
2. “Who Said Steel is Only for Big Buildings?” Modern Steel Construction (4th quarter/1981), 11. In the folder “Clippings, 1980-1989,” from the John W. Sugden Papers, 1909-2009, accn 2720, box 4, folder 2. From the Special Collections and Archives Department at the University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
3.
4. “Gibbs Mountain Cabin, Alta, Utah (A quiet place for a theoretical physicist),” in the folder “Architectural Award Submission Materials, 1966-1990,” from the John W. Sugden Papers, 1909-2009, accn 2720, box 13, folder 12. From the Special Collections and Archives Department at the University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
5. United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, “National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for Sugden, Roberta, House,” January 20, 2016, accessed February 20, 2017, pg. 34, https://heritage.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/UT_Salt-Lake-County_Roberta-Sugden-House-1.pdf?145555.
