Talisker Club Amenity Lodge. Setting a New Standard for Luxury Mountain Construction

In the heart of Utah’s rugged Wasatch Mountains, the exclusive Talisker Club envisioned a new centerpiece for its community—a world-class, family-oriented amenity lodge. The project presented a formidable set of challenges: constructing a complex, multi-use facility at high altitude, integrating it seamlessly with the pristine natural landscape, and achieving a level of luxury that would exceed the expectations of its discerning members. Viotell was entrusted by the project’s general contractor, Big-D Construction, to engineer and execute the critical building envelope. Drawing upon our deep expertise in high-altitude construction and precision metal fabrication, we delivered a comprehensive roofing and wall panel system that was not only aesthetically stunning but also engineered to withstand the harshest alpine conditions for decades. The result is an award-winning landmark facility that stands as a testament to collaborative partnership, meticulous planning, and flawless execution.

Part 1: The Vision for a Modern Mountain Sanctuary

About Talisker Club. A Premier Mountain Community

Talisker Club is more than a location; it’s a curated lifestyle experience set against the breathtaking backdrop of Park City, Utah. It represents the pinnacle of private, four-season mountain living, offering its members exclusive access to unparalleled skiing, championship golf, and pristine wilderness. The brand is synonymous with understated luxury, impeccable service, and a deep connection to the natural environment.

For years, the club’s offerings were anchored by its elegant main clubhouse. However, as the community grew and evolved, a new vision began to take shape. The leadership identified a need for a dedicated space that would cater specifically to families and a more relaxed, activity-based social life. This new facility would need to complement the existing clubhouse’s formal elegance while providing a vibrant, modern hub for recreation and connection. It was envisioned as a place where generations could gather—for a casual meal after a day on the slopes, a round of virtual golf, a friendly bowling competition, or collaborative learning in a state-of-the-art STEM lab. This was the genesis of the Talisker Club Amenity Lodge, a project designed not merely as a building, but as a cornerstone of the community’s future.

Part 2: The Challenge: Engineering Luxury at Altitude

Constructing a premier facility of this scale is a significant undertaking in any location. Placing it at high elevation within a sensitive mountain ecosystem multiplied the complexity exponentially. The project’s success hinged on overcoming three core, interwoven challenges.

The Unforgiving Environment. High-Altitude Construction

Photo by Megan Larsen

The site for the Amenity Lodge presented a host of environmental and logistical hurdles inherent to alpine construction. The shorter building season, bookended by heavy winter snowfalls, created an intensely compressed timeline where any delay could push critical exterior work into an unforgiving winter. Weather on the mountain is notoriously unpredictable; teams must be prepared for sudden temperature drops, high winds, and unexpected storms that can halt progress and compromise safety.

From an engineering perspective, the structure had to be designed to withstand immense snow loads and resist powerful wind shear. The materials chosen for the building envelope would be subjected to an extreme freeze-thaw cycle, which can degrade lesser products over time, and intense solar radiation, which can cause fading and material breakdown. Logistically, the mountain roads and limited staging areas demanded meticulous planning for material delivery and site management, requiring a just-in-time approach to prevent congestion and protect the surrounding landscape.

The Architectural Vision. Seamless Integration

The architectural mandate was clear: the Amenity Lodge had to feel like a natural extension of the mountain itself. It needed to be a statement of modern luxury while simultaneously demonstrating a profound respect for its surroundings. This philosophy of “mountain modern” design required a building envelope that was both visually striking and contextually appropriate.

The rooflines were designed to echo the peaks of the surrounding ranges, while the material palette was selected to harmonize with the colors and textures of the native rock, soil, and flora. This was not a place for generic solutions. Every seam, every panel, and every color choice had to be deliberate, contributing to a cohesive aesthetic that would integrate the massive structure into the landscape. The building couldn’t simply sit on the mountain; it had to be of the mountain. This required an exceptional level of precision from the teams responsible for the building’s exterior, as any imperfection would detract from the intended organic elegance.

The Functional Complexity. A Building of Many Uses

Photo by Megan Larsen

Internally, the Amenity Lodge was a collection of highly specialized spaces, each with unique structural and environmental requirements. The facility’s diverse offerings—including open-span basketball and pickleball courts, acoustically sensitive bowling lanes and game simulators, and climate-controlled dining areas—placed enormous demands on the building envelope.

The roofing system had to span vast, column-free areas for the athletic courts while also accommodating the intricate venting and mechanical systems required for the kitchen and other facilities. The wall systems needed to provide a superior thermal barrier to ensure energy efficiency and comfort across vastly different interior zones, from the high-activity sports areas to the quiet, relaxing lounge spaces. The envelope had to perform as a single, integrated system that could support the complex life of the building within, ensuring that the roar of a bowling strike wouldn’t disturb a quiet dinner and that every area remained comfortable, regardless of the weather outside.

Part 3: The Viotell Solution. A Partnership in Precision

Navigating such a complex project required more than just a subcontractor; it required a true strategic partner. Big-D Construction, the project’s esteemed general contractor, needed a specialist they could trust implicitly with the building’s most critical exterior elements.

A Partnership Built on a History of Trust

Viotell was selected for this crucial role based on our longstanding relationship with Big-D Construction and a shared commitment to excellence. Our history of collaboration on other high-stakes projects meant that Big-D’s leadership knew they could rely on Viotell not just to execute a plan, but to proactively identify challenges and engineer effective solutions. They knew our team possessed the unique combination of high-altitude construction experience and mastery of architectural metalwork that the Talisker Club project demanded. This foundation of trust allowed for a seamless and highly effective working relationship from day one.

The Pre-Construction Phase. Collaborative Design and Planning

Our involvement began long before any work started on site. Viotell became an integral part of the pre-construction team, collaborating closely with the architects, engineers, and Big-D’s project managers. During this critical phase, we reviewed architectural drawings and 3D models with a focus on constructability and long-term performance.

Our team provided crucial feedback on material specifications, joint details, and the sequencing of the envelope installation. We identified potential weatherproofing challenges at complex roof-to-wall intersections and proposed refined details to ensure a completely watertight and airtight seal. By creating physical mock-ups of the proposed wall and roof panel systems, we allowed the client and architectural team to see and approve the colors, finishes, and profiles, ensuring the final product would perfectly match their aesthetic vision. This intensive, upfront planning phase was instrumental in mitigating risk, optimizing the construction schedule, and ensuring that every stakeholder was aligned before breaking ground.

The Technical Proposal: Materials and Systems for Peak Performance

Based on our analysis, Viotell engineered a comprehensive envelope solution tailored to the project’s unique demands. The proposal centered on two key systems:

• Standing-Seam Metal Roof System: We specified a 24-gauge standing-seam system for its unparalleled durability and weather-tightness. The interlocking seams and concealed clip system create a monolithic surface that can easily shed heavy snow and resist wind uplift in excess of 160 kph. Its proven longevity in harsh alpine climates made it the ideal choice for protecting this valuable asset.
• Custom-Fabricated Metal Wall Panels: For the walls, we proposed a system of custom-fabricated metal panels. This allowed for complete design flexibility to meet the architect’s vision while providing a high-performance rainscreen and thermal barrier. The chosen material was finished with the industry-leading CMG PVDF coating, selected for its superior color retention and resistance to the intense UV exposure found at high altitudes.

This integrated system was designed to work in concert with the underlying weather barriers and insulation, creating a complete, high-performance building envelope that would deliver on every project goal: durability, efficiency, and aesthetic excellence.

Part 4: The Execution: Precision in Action

With a robust plan in place, our focus shifted to execution. Our methodology revolved around controlled fabrication, proactive on-site management, and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.

Off-Site Fabrication for On-Site Perfection

A significant portion of our work took place in our state-of-the-art fabrication facility. Every metal panel for the roof and walls was precision-formed using CNC technology, ensuring that each piece met exact dimensional specifications. Fabricating in a controlled environment allowed us to implement rigorous quality control checks, minimizing the potential for error and reducing on-site waste. This approach also dramatically increased efficiency on the mountain; panels arrived at the job site clearly labeled and ready for immediate installation, accelerating the construction schedule and allowing us to enclose the building faster.

On-Site Management. Overcoming Logistical Hurdles

Our on-site team, led by a veteran project foreman with extensive mountain construction experience, managed the daily complexities of the installation. Daily “toolbox talks” ensured clear communication and a focus on safety, which was paramount in the challenging environment. We coordinated meticulously with other trades to ensure our work was sequenced perfectly with the installation of windows, doors, and mechanical systems.

This proactive management was put to the test when an early-season blizzard unexpectedly descended on the site, threatening to derail progress. Our team immediately enacted our adverse weather protocol, working efficiently to secure all materials and ensure the partially installed roof was temporarily sealed and watertight. This swift, decisive action prevented any potential damage or delays, showcasing our ability to adapt and perform under pressure.

A Commitment to Craftsmanship

Photo by Megan Larsen

Beyond the technical specifications and logistical planning lies the human element of craftsmanship. Our team of skilled installers understood that on a luxury project like this, the details are everything. They took immense pride in their work, ensuring every panel was perfectly aligned, every seam was crisp and clean, and every flashing detail around windows and vents was flawlessly executed. It was this meticulous attention to detail that transformed high-performance materials into a truly beautiful building, delivering the flawless finish that the Talisker Club and its members expected.

Part 5: The Results and Lasting Impact

The completion of the Talisker Club Amenity Lodge marked the successful realization of an ambitious vision. Viotell’s contribution was a flawlessly executed building envelope that serves as the project’s first line of defense and its defining aesthetic feature. The facility is a stunning architectural achievement, blending modern design with its mountain setting. Inside, it is a vibrant hub of activity, providing the Talisker Club community with the world-class amenities they desired in a comfortable, efficient, and safe environment.

A Deeper Dive. The Science Behind the Finish

A key highlight of the project is the use of the CMG PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) finish on all exterior metal panels. This high-performance coating is the gold standard for architectural applications, particularly in harsh environments. The chemistry of PVDF creates a resin with incredibly stable chemical bonds, making it exceptionally resistant to breakdown from UV radiation, moisture, and pollutants. This means that the building’s rich, earthy colors will resist fading or chalking, looking as vibrant in twenty years as they do today. The 40-year warranty on the finish is more than a guarantee; it’s a promise of long-term value, assuring the Talisker Club of a low-maintenance, high-performance exterior that will protect their investment for generations.

Accolades & Recognition

The success of the Talisker Club Amenity Lodge was recognized not only by the client and its members but by the construction industry at large. The project received numerous prestigious awards, validating the quality, innovation, and teamwork that defined its creation:

• ENR Mountain States Best Residential/Hospitality – Award of Merit
• ABC 2023 Project Champion of the Year
• ABC 2023 Category Winner – Cultural/Entertainment over $5M

Conclusion: A New Benchmark for Excellence

The Talisker Club Amenity Lodge project was a journey defined by formidable challenges and an unwavering commitment to overcoming them. It required a synthesis of bold architectural vision, robust engineering, and master craftsmanship. Viotell is proud to have played a pivotal role in this landmark achievement. By leveraging our specialized expertise in high-altitude building envelopes and fostering a spirit of true collaboration with Big-D Construction and the entire project team, we helped transform an ambitious concept into an award-winning reality. This facility stands not just as a beautiful addition to the Park City landscape, but as a benchmark for what can be achieved when skill, precision, and partnership converge.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity we were given to build such a central piece to the Tuhaye community. Base Camp represents so much of what Tuhaye offers their members—to enjoy life and explore new things as individuals and families. The high level of quality and craftsmanship throughout made it such a fun project from start to finish.”

– Ryan Bulloch | Big-D Signature | Utah Business