Case Study: Park City Hillside Home Featuring an Indoor Tennis Court

(Design Loft Inc. – Custom Residential Design)

The Challenge

The owners of this Park City-area property set out to create a thoughtfully designed home centered around a unique feature: a full-size indoor tennis court.

While the overall size and complexity of the home were ambitious—with a total footprint exceeding 12,000 square feet—the project was further complicated by:

  • Strict local height ordinances limiting vertical construction
  • A sloped hillside site requiring careful integration with the terrain
  • Conflicting topographic data, including prior regrading that required design based on original/native grade

Our Approach

We began with a detailed topographic survey to understand the site conditions. During this process, it became clear that portions of the lot had been previously regraded and that an older survey reflected different elevations. Because local regulations required the design to be based on original grade, we incorporated historical data into the design process and carefully aligned the structure with both the natural terrain and regulatory requirements.

From there, the design focused on:

1. Integrating the indoor tennis court within height limitations
2. Organizing the home to function efficiently across a large footprint
3. Maintaining a cohesive architectural presence on a challenging hillside site

The Design Solutions

1. Indoor Tennis Court Integration
  • Full-size indoor tennis court centrally integrated into the home
  • Court spans from the basement level through the main floor, with additional height created through a vaulted ceiling
  • One end of the ceiling is tapered to comply with height restrictions
  • Positioned to work within both structural constraints and overall building mass
2. Responding to the Hillside Site
  • Home stepped into the slope to reduce perceived scale
  • Floor elevations coordinated carefully with required native grade references
  • Basement designed as a daylight level, allowing for large windows and natural light
3. Main-Level Living & Volume
Expansive Main-Level Living
  • Open-concept great room, kitchen, and dining area with 12’ ceilings
  • Entry and covered porch reaching 16’ in height for a strong sense of arrival
  • Central stair volume rising to 14’, connecting levels visually and spatially
  • Direct access to a large rear deck overlooking the site
4. Functional & Connected Spaces
  • Walk-through pantry with interior view windows into the tennis court
  • Large combined mudroom and laundry area with adjacent bath
  • Dedicated office with nearby ¾ bath for flexibility
  • Formal living/piano room near the entry
  • Oversized hallways and doorways to reinforce the scale of the home
5. Private Primary Suite
  • Located separately from the main gathering spaces
  • Spacious layout including:
    • Large walk-in shower with multiple heads and seating
    • Generous vanity space ◦ Walk-in closet with additional laundry area
6. Garage & Vehicle Strategy
  • Multi-bay garage configuration including:
    • Standard two-car garage
    • Deep RV or Boat bay (35’+ depth – 14’± height)
    • Additional single-car bay
  • RV garage repositioned during design to improve overall exterior composition
7. Lower-Level Living
  • Large game room with kitchenette opening to a rear patio
  • Bedrooms include:
    • Two boys’ bedrooms with shared compartmentalized bathroom
    • Girls’ bedroom with private bath
    • Guest bedroom with private bath
  • All bedrooms include walk-in closets
8. Additional Functional Spaces
  • Exercise room and additional support spaces
  • Mechanical areas and storage
  • Significant storage area located beneath the garage, with a lowered floor elevation
  • Exterior stair connection between upper deck and lower patio

The Results

This home successfully integrates a full-size indoor tennis court into a cohesive hillside design while working within strict zoning and grading constraints.

  • Balances scale, function, and restraint within a complex regulatory environment
  • Provides open, well-lit living spaces suited for both daily use and entertaining
  • Seamlessly incorporates specialized recreational space into the overall layout
  • Reflects a highly coordinated design approach tailored to both site conditions and client priorities

Considering a Complex or One-of-a-Kind Home Design?

Design Loft Inc. specializes in solving challenging design problems—from difficult sites to unique requirements—while creating homes that are both functional and enduring.
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