THOUGHTFUL ARCHITECTURE; MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS
We create contemporary architecture rooted in your vision, shaped by collaboration and guided by a commitment to design excellence. From initial ideas through construction, we bring creative thinking, technical expertise and thoughtful guidance to build trust and help you realize your goals.
SPARANO + MOONEY ARCHITECTURE is a collective of architects, designers and craftspeople with offices in Los Angeles, California and Salt Lake City, Utah. We design compelling spaces that connect people with their communities and landscape, and are committed to creating sustainable, contemporary architecture for clients throughout the American West who care deeply about design.
Our architects and designers are experts at helping develop architecture that will serve generations to come on complex sites throughout the western United States. Whether a new landmark building for your cultural institution or a legacy home for your family, our California and Utah architects will help you realize your vision through thoughtfully-considered and carefully-executed designs, delivered through a collaborative process honed over more than 25 years of practice.
Our portfolio of contemporary design work can be found throughout California, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and beyond. A wide range of sustainable architecture solutions is carefully crafted at multiple scales, from micro, off-the-grid projects, to sophisticated new-build custom residential architecture and adaptive re-use of historic structures, to new institutional, cultural and worship buildings, as well as mixed-use, master planning and urban design projects.
Please contact us to discuss the realization of a home for your cultural institution, non-profit, place of worship or your family’s legacy residential estate. We’d love to work with you!
WORKING WITH OUR TEAM
YOUR VISION; OUR EXPERIENCE; A SHARED PROCESS | Every project begins with understanding what matters most to you. At Sparano + Mooney Architecture, we believe that successful design grows from a collaborative relationship built on deep listening, trust and shared purpose. We take time to understand your goals, explore possibilities and establish a clear path forward, making the process of creating architecture as thoughtful and rewarding as the places we create together.
WE LISTEN FIRST | Before proposing solutions, we ask questions, learn about your priorities and seek to understand the people and circumstances that shape your project. Together, we establish a shared vision and clear goals that guide decisions throughout the design process.
WE HELP YOU NAVIGATE COMPLEXITY | Every project presents opportunities, constraints and important decisions. We help you understand your options, evaluate alternatives and balance design aspirations with budget, schedule, functionality and long-term needs. Through clear communication and thoughtful guidance, we make complex information accessible so you can move forward with confidence.
WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY | We see design as a conversation, not a prescribed solution. Through interactive discussions, visual studies and ongoing dialogue, we invite your perspective into the process. We also bring together the right technical expertise, coordinating consultants and project partners to develop integrated solutions that respond to your goals.
WE TURN IDEAS INTO ACHIEVABLE OUTCOMES | Creative thinking and practical problem-solving go hand in hand. From early planning through construction, we consider feasibility, cost, materials, building performance and implementation, helping you understand how design decisions influence the finished project. Our team remains engaged throughout, providing continuity, accountability and attention to detail as your vision takes shape. Simply: we design to your budget and goals, rather than to our own agenda.
Our aim is to be a trusted partner who makes the design process clear, collaborative and engaging while creating architecture that serves your needs and brings you lasting value.
HISTORY OF OUR ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
SPARANO + MOONEY ARCHITECTURE was established in 1997 by John Sparano and Anne Mooney and is now under the leadership of the founding partners along with Ludwing Juarez, Nate King and Seth Striefel. The practice has been consistently recognized for design excellence and has received over 50 design and honor awards. Sparano + Mooney Architecture was named the 2017 American Institute of Architects Western Mountain Region Architectural Firm of the Year and the 2013 American Institute of Architects Utah Architectural Firm of the Year.
John Sparano, FAIA, has served as the President of the local chapter of the AIA and has earned both the Bronze and the Silver medals for his achievements in architectural practice, the highest honors given to professionals in the region. He was elevated to fellowship with the American Institute of Architects in 2015. Anne Mooney, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, has served on the Board of Directors of the AIA and as co-chair of the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE). She was named one of the Top Women in Architecture in 2020 by Mountain Living magazine, was awarded the Silver Medal by the AIA Western Mountain Region in 2021 and was elevated to fellowship in the AIA in 2023. Anne is also a committed educator of the next generation of architects, holding an appointment as a Professor of Architecture.
Our practice’s work has been featured in national and international press including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, World Architecture, Monocle, Forbes, Architecture + Urbanism, Architectural Digest, Dwell, Aspire Design & Home, Domus, L’Arca, Western Art & Architecture, Utah Style & Design and Mountain Living. The firm’s first monograph, Sparano + Mooney Architecture: A Way of Working, published by Hatje Cantz and with an introduction by Michael Webb, was released in 2022 and is available worldwide.
ARTS + CULTURE
For more than 25 years, SPARANO + MOONEY ARCHITECTURE has partnered with civic agencies, cultural organizations and nonprofit institutions to create meaningful spaces that advance their missions, engage their audiences and enrich community life. Our experience spans museums, exhibitions and galleries, facilities assessments, cultural feasibility studies and master planning, and performing arts facilities, concert halls and cultural centers. We work closely with you to understand your organization's identity, aspirations and priorities, translating them into thoughtful architectural solutions that reflect your values, respond to cultural and historical contexts and embrace opportunities for innovation.
Our collaborative process begins with understanding your needs and constraints. Through research, precedent studies and an exploration of best practices, we help you establish clear priorities and make informed decisions that balance creative vision with practical considerations. We also recognize that successful cultural projects depend on broad community buy-in. From stakeholder engagement and public outreach to fundraising support, we help you build consensus, communicate your vision and create welcoming, memorable experiences that resonate with your audiences and serve your organization for generations to come.
MOUNTAIN MODERN HOMES IN THE AMERICAN WEST
SPARANO + MOONEY ARCHITECTURE partners with clients to create distinctive contemporary homes that reflect their lifestyles and personal aspirations as well as a unique connection to the surrounding landscape. Our residential work spans some of North America’s most remarkable settings, including Park City, Utah; Deer Valley, Utah; Sun Valley, Idaho; Powder Mountain and Eden, Utah; Malibu, California; Star Valley, Wyoming; and Emigration Canyon, Utah. Each home is thoughtfully designed around your individual needs, priorities and vision, resulting in timeless architecture that balances understated elegance, comfort and a strong sense of place.
Recognized by Dwell as one of the Top 10 Architects in the World working in Mountain Settings and by Forbes as a Top 200 Architect in the United States and Best-in-State Residential Architect, our team brings extensive experience in creating sustainable, contemporary homes within extraordinary natural environments. We work closely with you to explore design possibilities, navigate site-specific challenges and integrate innovative materials, technologies and sustainable strategies that enhance everyday living while respecting the surrounding landscape.
Our approach is grounded in collaboration, craftsmanship and a deep appreciation for materials and detail. From the overall architectural vision to the smallest design elements, we tailor each solution to your preferences and the way you want to live. By balancing creative exploration with practical considerations, we help you make informed decisions throughout the process, creating a home that feels distinctly your own and continues to bring value and enjoyment for years to come.
Mountain living, redefined.
