Co-founded by John Sparano and Anne Mooney, Sparano + Mooney Architecture is a prominent design firm based in the American West that specializes in sustainable and contemporary architecture. With a strong emphasis on design excellence and client service, the firm employs a research-based approach to create unique architectural solutions that consider the client’s vision, site, program, and cultural context. Committed to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, Sparano + Mooney’s LEED-accredited team delivers innovative green design solutions to a diverse range of clients. Learn more about Sparano + Mooney Architecture from principal Anne Mooney in today’s Designer Friday.
In the Urban Treehouse Residence in Salt Lake City, Sparano + Mooney Architecture maximized space and minimized the home’s footprint, incorporating indoor/outdoor areas to serve as a sanctuary within the urban environment.
Andrew Joseph: What is the last book you read?
Anne Mooney: I read a lot of books about architecture but I am fortunate to have a wonderful book club that introduces me to other genres outside of design. We are currently reading Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, a novel with a strong female protagonist set in the 1960s with insights into academia, science and media that are surprisingly relevant today. Of course, I would be remiss in not mentioning our firm’s first monograph, Sparano + Mooney Architecture: A Way of Working, which we just released and uniquely highlights our firm’s approach to process as much as the end result of the design itself.
AJ: What is something you hope to see trending in design in the future?
AM: Smaller homes with every space designed with intention and purpose. It is disheartening to continue to see monster homes with vast unused spaces and to hear real estate professionals equating value to square footage. I would love to see value associated with design quality and carefully planned and constructed spaces that are fully functional and enjoyed regularly in meaningful ways.
This mountain ridge home in Salt Lake City offers breathtaking panoramic views and incorporates passive design principles. Its modern architectural form, diverse material palette, and sustainable features embrace the essence of the scenic location, exemplifying a harmonious blend of nature and design.
AJ: If you weren’t a designer, you’d be a ….?
AM: I love arranging flowers for friends and family and sometimes fantasize about being surrounded by plants and flowers in my own flower shop and would probably enjoy being a floral designer if I were not an architect.
AJ: Are you a pet person? Why either way? Dogs or cats?
AM: I absolutely love dogs and can’t imagine life without one in my home (and occasionally at the office). My chocolate lab makes me laugh every day with his silly antics and I appreciate the unconditional love and enthusiasm dogs provide.
Designed to embody the essence of wabi-sabi, this 4,000-square-foot home embraces imperfection and simplicity while celebrating a direct connection to nature.
AJ: What’s one ingredient you put in everything?
AM: Something with coconut. Coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut water, coconut cream. I even make homemade vegan cheese with a coconut milk base that has helped me remain dairy-free this year!
AJ: Must have clothing item everyone should have?
AM: Yala bamboo loungewear – super soft and luxurious feeling. Putting these garments on signals immediate relaxation at the end of the day.
About the Designer | Sparano + Mooney Architecture draws inspiration from the rich and timeless modern traditions in architecture, and creates warm and inviting environments that respond to contemporary conditions. Comprehensive architectural design and project planning services are provided to civic, municipal, institutional and private clients. Exceptional architectural solutions are developed for these clients through a balance of aesthetic and technical innovation delivered through an effective project management process. Sparano + Mooney Architecture’s award-winning work has been widely recognized, and has been featured in exhibitions and publications around the world.
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited team of architects is committed to providing energy-efficient and environmentally-responsible green design solutions.
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