Architecture

A Stunning Architectural Retreat in the Heart of Utah By Pala Zion

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Share via

Our team of editors and experts thoughtfully chooses each product. If you decide to buy through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Want to know how we test products? Click here for more details

At the base of Utah’s stunning Zion National Park, Pala Zion presents a unique chance to experience luxurious residential living amid the breathtaking desert landscape. This exclusive development, a collaboration between four distinguished architectural firms—Studio Andrew Trotter, GOMA, Morq, and Taller Hector Barroso—features a remarkable community of 22 private homes, each ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, situated on a sprawling 35-acre property. It serves as the ideal sanctuary for those seeking an elevated lifestyle rooted in tranquility and a profound connection to nature.

What sets Pala Zion apart is its architectural excellence and commitment to nurturing a lasting connection with the natural environment. The development is designed as a space for reflection, serenity, and community, featuring homes that blend seamlessly with the rugged beauty of the land. Furthermore, residents of Pala Zion will enjoy exclusive access to the Paréa landscape hotel, a luxury retreat created by Studio Andrew Trotter. This hotel will offer fine dining restaurants, a wellness centre, a spa, and various adaptable activity spaces, providing a comprehensive lifestyle experience for those who call Pala Zion home.

Pala Zion homes are design masterpieces that enhance indoor-outdoor living with spacious open-plan areas flowing into private courtyards. They welcome natural light through open-air sunroofs and feature private pools, along with compact spas that include saunas. Locally sourced stone complements the surroundings, enhancing the sense of place. The climate-conscious architecture comprises strategic overhangs for natural cooling in summer and warmth in winter, ensuring year-round comfort.

Studio Andrew Trotter’s minimalist design philosophy at Pala Zion emphasizes site-sensitive architecture that responds to Utah’s seasonal climate. Strategic overhangs and building orientations manage the sun’s angles, keeping interiors cool in summer and warm in winter. This blend of form and function results in beautiful, practical spaces for everyday living.

GOMA Taller de Arquitectura, a renowned studio based in Mexico, designed six panoramic residences along with a corner home at Pala Zion. These homes include floating roofs that raise them 1.8 metres, facilitating natural heating during winter and providing shade throughout the warmer months. Drawing inspiration from architectural icons such as Louis Kahn and Luis Barragán, GOMA’s designs harmoniously blend cultural influences with contemporary aesthetics, providing a unique perspective of the desert landscape. The residences offer breathtaking views and a feeling of spaciousness while maintaining privacy and intimacy.

Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion

Hector Barroso’s contribution to Pala Zion evokes a quiet, reflective atmosphere, drawing inspiration from the philosophy expressed in “In Praise of Shadows” by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki. The design highlights natural materials, cross-ventilation, and thoughtful orientation, ensuring residents experience a comfortable and serene living environment year-round. This tranquil connection to the land lies at the core of the design, providing a retreat that feels both intimate and expansive at the same time.

MORQ, an Italian architecture firm, appreciates the immense beauty of the desert by designing homes that harmonize with their natural surroundings. Their designs strike a perfect balance between openness and intimacy, providing expansive views of the desert landscape while maintaining private, comfortable living spaces. The firm’s approach fosters a deeper connection to the land, enabling residents to truly feel at home in this breathtaking desert environment.

Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion

Pala Zion, just two hours from Las Vegas and 6.5 hours from Los Angeles, provides easy access to amenities and a peaceful escape from city life. Alongside being a luxurious retreat, it offers a unique investment opportunity for homeowners to rent their properties via the hotel’s management services, combining an exceptional lifestyle with a lucrative investment.

Pala Zion represents more than just homes; it encompasses a lifestyle. Its commitment to architectural excellence, natural harmony, and luxury fosters an unparalleled living experience. Whether a serene retreat or a permanent home, Pala Zion allows coexistence with one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. It offers an opportunity to enjoy top-tier design and luxury while immersing in the tranquillity and beauty of Zion’s nature.

Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
Pala Zion – Utah | Image: Instagram / Pala Zion
About the Author
Previous Post
Ye is Officially a Billionaire—Again: Inside His Comeback
Next Post
Tissot’s New Le Locle: Best Value Automatic?”

Related Articles

Here’s Your Chance To Own Daniel Ricciardo’s $3 Million Aston Martin Valkyrie

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Our team of editors and experts thoughtfully chooses each product. If you decide to buy through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Want to know how we test products? Click here for more details.

  • Daniel Ricciardo’s Aston Martin Valkyrie, chassis number 089, is scheduled to be showcased at Zoute Concours 2025.
  • Finished in the custom Dichroic Dawn shade—nicknamed “Badger Blue”—the colour was chosen as a nod to Ricciardo’s famous Honey Badger persona.
  • Showing only 160 kilometres on the odometer, the car has been carefully stored within Ricciardo’s private collection.
  • Equipped with over £141,500 in custom options and supported by an extended warranty through 2027, this Valkyrie is as unique as it is carefully assembled.

When Adrian Newey designs a car, it’s never just about speed, and the Aston Martin Valkyrie proves that better than anything else he has worked on for the road. Created by the same engineer behind Red Bull Racing’s most successful years, the Valkyrie was built to feel as close to a Formula 1 car as possible while still being street legal. With only 150 coupés made, it was always going to be rare, which makes it even more fitting that one ended up in Daniel Ricciardo’s personal collection.

The car is powered by a Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12, paired with a hybrid system that produces an incredible 865 kW (1,160 hp), a power output especially fitting for an eight-time Formula 1 race winner. Despite its performance, Ricciardo barely had the chance to enjoy it, as the car had covered just 160 kilometres since new. Most of its life has been spent stored away, which only adds to the appeal for the next owner.

Chassis number 089 was ordered with over £141,500 worth of bespoke options through Aston Martin’s Q division, making Ricciardo’s Valkyrie truly one of a kind. The standout feature is the striking Dichroic Dawn paintwork, commonly called “Badger Blue” in homage to Ricciardo’s Honey Badger nickname, complemented by matching roof details and wheel centres. Now heading to auction via Broad Arrow, the car is expected to sell for between €2.4 million and €2.8 million, roughly USD $3 million, giving collectors a rare chance to own a near-new Valkyrie with a strong Formula 1 connection.

What really brings Ricciardo’s Valkyrie to life is the way the materials and finishes have been carefully chosen to highlight the car’s engineering rather than hide it. Large sections of the exterior are left in exposed 2×2 twill satin carbon fibre, including the distinctive “clam veins” and the upper suspension shrouds, a bespoke specification that adds both visual drama and a raw, mechanical edge to the design. It is a detail-focused approach that reinforces just how close this car sits to the world of motorsport.

That exposed carbon is balanced by contrasting elements, such as the roof panel and engine cover, which are finished in a glossy carbon lacquer to catch the light and break up the darker tones. Subtle touches elevate the presentation even further, including the ultra-fine stainless-steel Aston Martin wings badge on the nose, a small but beautifully finished detail that feels almost jewel-like against the carbon bodywork.

Ricciardo also went all in on performance-focused upgrades, opting for the ultra-lightweight Magnesium Performance Wheels, a serious addition that cost around £40,000 when new and helps reduce unsprung weight. Combined with the Valkyrie’s full Inconel exhaust system, hinted at by its black tailpipes, the setup allows the naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 to breathe freely. Paired with a hybrid system developed with input from Rimac, the Valkyrie delivers a combined 865 kW (1,160 hp), with independent testing suggesting a 0–100 km/h sprint of just 2.2 seconds, numbers that underline its Formula 1–level intent.

Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions

The timing of Daniel Ricciardo’s Aston Martin Valkyrie listing has raised more than a few eyebrows. The car appeared on the market quietly, but it didn’t stay that way for long once Ricciardo himself added a layer of intrigue just hours later.

Soon after the listing went live, Ricciardo posted a cryptic message on social media, standing beside a Ford Racing logo attached to a Bronco Raptor and captioning it simply, “More around the corner…”. It was the kind of post that felt purposefully vague, providing just enough to trigger conversation without revealing anything.

Unsurprisingly, speculation arose almost immediately. Some see the post as a hint towards a possible return to motorsport, while others believe it could indicate a future collaboration with Ford Racing, especially as the brand continues to deepen its involvement in the off-road performance scene.

That idea closely aligns with comments previously made by Ford CEO Jim Farley, who has been vocal about his ambition to boost Ford’s off-road identity. “There’s no Porsche of off-road, and I’m shocked that people don’t think about that, and I’m very interested in that,” Farley said. Whether Ricciardo is connected to that vision or just closing one chapter before starting another, the sequence of events indicates this moment is about more than just selling a car.

Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions
Daniel Ricciardo’s 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie | Image: Broad Arrow Auctions

Aston MartinSupercars
About the Author

Related Articles

arrow_drop_up