Commercial Architecture September 2017 - 26

PROJECT

exteriors

Far left. A structural barrier between the foundation and the mountain was
achieved by filling the void with EPS Geofoam blocks.
Left. Foam-Control Geofoam was set in place and then covered with four inches of
free-draining gravel and a concrete patio slab.
Above. The Summit is a high-altitude guest-services center and mountain restaurant
with views of spectacular surroundings.

Foam Blocks Solve Mountainous Problem
Lightweight Geofoam secures foundation on a steep build.

rojects have challenges, purpose, and mean-

Bass envisioned The Summit, a high-altitude guest-ser-

ing, yet some projects mean a lot more to

vices center and mountain restaurant with limitless

owners. It takes a visionary to leave a legacy,

views of spectacular surroundings.

to build on such a site," continued Yang.
Layton Construction, Sandy, UT, a general contractor that has been building large commercial proj-

and Richard "Dick" Bass, founder of Snowbird Ski

"Designs for The Summit have been under consid-

ects in Utah since 1953, joined Snowbird and GSBS

& Summer Resort, Sandy, UT, was such a man. Bass

eration for roughly 20 years," said Tang Yang, princi-

on the project in 2013. The construction schedule was

is acknowledged as the first person in the world to

pal with GSBS Architecture, Salt Lake City. "We part-

phased over two summer seasons. In 2014, crews raced

climb to the highest point on each of the seven con-

nered with Luis Ulrich of Lu'na Design Studio [Salt

from the earliest spring thaw to clear the site and put

tinents, which he completed in 1985 at the age of 55.

Lake City] to conceive what is now a 23,000-sq.-ft.,

in most of the structure's concrete footings, founda-

He also spent almost 45 years building Snowbird into

glass-enclosed lookout capsule perched high above

tion, steel structure, floor decking, and concrete work.

a world-renowned, year-round destination mountain

the resort sprawling below." The Summit accommo-

In 2015 roofing, glazing, mechanical, electrical,

resort. It's no wonder that, after a lifetime of oversee-

dates cafeteria-style dining totaling 400 seats, service

plumbing, drywall, interior finishes, and concrete fin-

ing the development of approximately 2,500 acres of

areas and ski-patrol offices, staff space, and mechani-

ish work, including a unique snowmelt system inte-

steep hillside just 25 miles from downtown Salt Lake

cal equipment. A large outdoor patio and a wrap-

grated into the upper decks, was completed.

City and climbing the world's highest peaks, Dick

around deck allow visitors to peer over the Wasatch

Bass would want to build his legacy on a summit.

Range and Mineral Basin below.

"On the construction side, the biggest challenge
was simply getting men, materials, and equipment to

Snowbird's acreage is covered by an average of 500

"The vision was to provide non-skiers with pan-

and from the site," said Layton's assistant project man-

in. of low-density, dry Utah powder annually and ac-

oramic mountaintop views in a comfortable, secure

ager, Cooper Darling, who had previous experience

cessed by a collection of ten chairlifts and one aerial

space that is in an environment that [experiences]

working on mountain projects, but never at such steep

tram. The tram takes passengers along a 1.6-mile cable

winds of as much as 135 miles an hour and tempera-

access. "The site is only accessible by either the aerial

up 2,900 vertical feet to the resort's highest point,

tures in the low negatives. These are not everyday de-

tram or an unpaved mountain road and that made

Hidden Peak, at 11,000 ft. It was here at the peak that

sign challenges and that really speaks to what it takes

things a lot more complicated," he said. As an exam-

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

SEPTEMBER 2017

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture September 2017