Photo Friday: Exceeding Expectations
Photo Friday

Photo Friday: Exceeding Expectations

March 14, 2025Scot Zimmerman / Utah Style & Design
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A home designed by Otto-Walker Architects and built by Upland Development delivers on every level — with dazzle, drama, and a sense of refined mountain living that exceeds all expectations.

Some homes simply meet expectations. This one exceeds them at every turn. Designed by Otto-Walker Architects and built by Upland Development (Ryan and Jesica Taylor), this residence — one of many Upland Development has built across the Park City area, Summit County, Wasatch County, Morgan County, and Salt Lake City — is a study in what happens when architecture, craftsmanship, and interior design align perfectly.

Dazzle

The home opens with a sense of arrival — a dramatic entry that sets the tone for the spaces beyond. The great room unfolds with soaring ceilings, a curated material palette of stone, wood, and glass, and a fireplace that anchors the space without dominating it. Natural light pours in from carefully positioned windows, animating the room throughout the day.

The kitchen is a chef's dream: two generous islands — one for prep, one for bar seating — are framed by a mix of open shelving, glass-fronted cabinetry, and a walk-in pantry that photographer Scot Zimmerman called "pantry envy at its finest." The pantry's farmer's sink, built-in desk, and wide windows make it a room unto itself.

Adjacent to the kitchen, a cozy room with a fireplace and sliding doors to the outdoor patio serves as the informal heart of the home — equally suited for a quiet morning coffee or a casual dinner gathering. The built-in banquette seating reflects how thoughtfully the home was designed for real life.

Drama

A step up from dazzle is showstopping drama. The glass stairway — a cascade of light and geometry spanning three levels — is the home's signature moment. Its interplay of pendant lights and transparent treads invites you to explore the full vertical story of the home, hinting at surprises below.

The primary suite continues the drama with a stone fireplace, a spacious bath vanity with warm wood cabinetry and under-cabinet lighting, and a soaking tub positioned to feel like a private retreat. The mirrors are mounted over the windows to give the bath a treehouse quality — open to the sky, yet intimate.

The lower level delivers a quiet sitting area tucked beneath the stairway — a surprise pocket of calm in a home full of bold gestures. Every room, every detail, exceeds what you thought possible.

Read the full Utah Style & Design feature →
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