In Park City's mountainous terrain, where harsh winters and scorching summers define the landscape, architect Chris Price has spent 16 years creating homes that work in harmony with nature rather than fighting against it. As the founder, architect, and general contractor behind Klima Architecture, a full-service firm specializing in architecture, landscape, and interior design, Price has built his career on the principle that buildings should embrace their environment.
Price's approach draws from his unique upbringing in a passive solar house that his father built by hand in New Mexico's Four Corners region. This early exposure to sustainable building practices shaped his philosophy of designing for efficiency, comfort, and resilience in landscapes that demand all three qualities. "The goal is to use about 20% of what a normal house uses," Price explains, referring to energy consumption through his implementation of Passive House standards.
The Passive House methodology centers on creating a super-insulated, tightly-sealed building shell that minimizes energy loss while maximizing control over indoor environments. Price compares this approach to choosing quality over quantity: "You could buy a cheap foam cooler that keeps drinks cold for two hours, or a Yeti that keeps them cold for three days. Same principle, you're just investing in better insulation." His wall assemblies typically triple code minimums, with special attention paid to eliminating thermal bridges where heat transfer occurs more readily.
After studying passive design and sustainability at the University of New Mexico, Price moved to Utah in 2009 and co-founded Park City DesignBuild with his uncle, a longtime local contractor. He later assumed full control of the company and rebranded it as Klima Architecture in 2019. The name derives from the Ancient Greek "klíma" and Latin "clima," meaning latitude or inclination, which evolved to mean climate – perfectly reflecting the firm's commitment to site-responsive, minimally intrusive, and energy-efficient homes.
As both a licensed architect and general contractor – an uncommon combination in today's construction industry – Price brings a comprehensive perspective to every project. "I like the master builder approach of really understanding the holistic vision," he says, explaining that his philosophy mirrors historical practices where the designer was also the builder. This integrated approach extends throughout Klima's expanded services, which now include interior design led by Scandinavian-influenced designer Mette Axboe and landscape design focused on native plants and fire-resilient materials.
Price observes that much of American housing follows patterns of repetition, with cookie-cutter suburbs and mass-produced homes designed to meet bare minimums. "It's a system that prioritizes efficiency of production over efficiency of performance, often sacrificing character, comfort and sustainability in the process," he notes. Homeowner associations often present additional challenges, dictating design elements that can actually hinder energy efficiency while pursuing aesthetic uniformity over long-term resilience.
This contrasts sharply with European building culture, where the Passive House standard originated in Germany. "The Germans, the Europeans, they're living in houses that their ancestors built, their ancestors' ancestors, so there's a lineage that they pay attention to," Price explains. "We're not worried about that. There's not one structure around here besides the old barns that are in their older years. We just don't worry about it."
Klima's projects frequently feature metal siding and durable, low-maintenance materials that provide wildfire protection – an increasingly critical consideration in the fire-prone Intermountain West. "Especially in places like Summit Park, we're just assuming something's going to come at some point," Price says regarding fire danger. Overhangs are minimized or constructed with fire-resistant materials like charred wood, while landscaping incorporates native, drought-tolerant species requiring minimal irrigation.
While upgrading to Passive House detailing might increase costs by approximately $50 per square foot, Price notes that payback typically occurs within a decade through reduced energy use and improved comfort. Even with budget constraints, the Klima team works to embed sustainability into every project's foundation. "If we can just do better than average, that still matters," he emphasizes.
Price's personal and professional milestone came in 2011 with Summit Haus, his first Passive House design. The home exemplifies building with and for the elements at high altitude, featuring 16-inch thick walls, a thermally isolated heated concrete slab, and an EPS foam-surrounded foundation. Every insulation detail was carefully considered to maintain ideal temperatures regardless of external conditions.
The Crest Haus in Summit Park brings a literal twist to modern construction, inspired by wind motion across the hillside. Positioned high on the site to maximize southern exposure, the home twists subtly at its crest as an abstract representation of wind. With 14-inch super-insulated walls and design that draws from the earth's stable temperature, the house consumes approximately 20% of the energy typical buildings in the neighborhood require. Solar panels generate more energy than the building uses, resulting in a net-positive energy footprint.
Currently under construction in Silver Creek, Hoodoo represents what Price calls "one of the coolest projects" he's ever undertaken. This concrete house, bermed into the landscape, remains hidden from view with its distinct fluted exterior. "You drive up and think, 'Is that a house? Is it a bunker? What is this thing?'" Price describes. The brutalist form offers exceptional durability, with concrete designed to last hundreds of years without maintenance.
For Price, architecture transcends mere profession – it provides a sense of purpose and environmental stewardship. "To go out and help create a better environment, to foster better spaces for people – whether it's for me or for someone else – if I can do better, that feels good to me," he reflects. "If I can help make the world a little better place, that's a pretty cool life." Through Klima Architecture's continued work, Price demonstrates that comfort, beauty, and energy efficiency can coexist harmoniously in mountain environments.
