Utah House
Visiting the Utah House
Address
920 South 50 West
P.O. Box 265
Kaysville, UT 84037
Telephone: (801) 544-3089
Fax: (801) 546-1699
Hours
Monday - Friday: 1-5 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Suggested Donation
Utah House is open to the public for walk-in visitation, $2.00 suggested donation.
Directions to the Utah House
The Utah House demonstration and learning center is located at the Utah Botanical Center in Kaysville, Utah, just off Interstate 15.
- From I-15 take the Kaysville exit #328.
- Go east approximately 0.5 miles to the traffic light at Main Street .
- Turn south (right) and drive 0.6 miles to the traffic light at 350 South.
- Turn west (right) and drive 0.2 miles to the stop sign at 50 West.
- Turn south (left) and drive 0.5 miles to the Utah House parking lot entrance on the west side of the street.
Group Tours
Group tours by appointment Monday - Friday, 9-4 p.m. Please call 801-544-3089 to schedule.
(After hours tours can be scheduled for a minimum of 20 people.)
Cost:
- $2 per Individual
- $1/Student.
Features & Landscape
Sustainability
The Utah House seeks to share the vision of preserving our natural resources for future generations. Efficient use of resources (energy,water, materials, land), minimization of waste, conservation of the natural environment, and creation of a healthy built environment are all part of sustainable design.
Sustainability Features
- Arbors are made of reclaimed timbers from the Great Salt Lake,
reducing the need to harvest new wood. - Home compost bins use yard and kitchen waste to enrich garden
soil and help ease pressure on municipal landfills and incinerators. - Mulching around plants reduces use of fertilizer products, herbicides
and helps retain moisture. - Well adapted plants were selected, which don't require fertilizers and
other additives in order to grow.
Water

The first step to the Utah House water-wise landscape was a plan and design, which considered the site and the landscape’s goals and objectives.
A soil analysis was completed and organic matter was added to enhance drainage and moisture retention.
Well-adapted, healthy plants were selected and grouped into hydrozones. Hydrozoning a landscape involves grouping plants together according to their water requirements.
Practical turf areas of manageable sizes and shapes were created in areas where they
provided a functional benefit.
Trees and shrubs were strategically planted to reduce runoff and minimize erosion.
Mulches were used in shrub and perennial beds. Mulches conserve soil moisture and
increase soil nutrients.
Irrigate efficiently – not excessively. The Utah House landscape uses a properly
designed system that applies the right amount of water at the right time for each
hydrozone. Guidance for proper lawn watering in Utah can be found on the Division of Water Resources website.
Gravel surfaces and concrete pavers were used, which allow storm water to penetrate
into the soil.This reduces run-off and erosion and helps filter excessive nutrients.
High nutrient loads from home fertilizer use can upset the balance in the storm water-fed
ponds.
The roof is used as a water collection agent. Rain water is stored in a rain barrel and used for irrigation purposes.
Health
The Utah House Raised Bed garden demonstrates how home gardeners can grow healthy fresh food that is rich in vitamins and minerals, and harvested at the freshest stage of maturity. The raised beds are also a demonstration of organic gardening. Organic gardening means we do not use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on the plants. Organic gardening begins with healthy soil and at the Utah House we add compost and natural fertilizers to provide our plants with the necessary nutrition.
Organic pest control involves many of the following:
- Allowing for an acceptable level of pest damage
- Encouraging predatory or beneficial insects
- Careful plant selection, choosing well adapted disease-resistant varieties
- Planting companion plants that discourage insects
- Rotating crops from year to year to interrupt pest reproduction cycles
Accessibility
All first level entrances are level, smooth, and stable, which helps make the landscape's
textured surfaces on driveways and walkways prevent slips.
Main entry is covered, without steps or any type of impediment, spacious (36" wide),
and has a lever for the door handle.
A raised garden bed offers comfortable access to gardening for people with physical
challenges.
The raised beds are designed with the use of Gravel Pave, a porusring-and-grid structure that provides a low maintenance, reliable surface with excellent drainage, and accessibility for wheelchairs.
Landscape
The goal of the Utah House landscape is to raise awareness and educate the public about the value of home landscapes and their ability to conserve water and save energy. The Utah House water-wise landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful and colorful landscape while significantly reducing water use. This innovative demonstration landscape uses up to 75% less water than a conventional landscape and showcases a variety of well-adapted and indigenous water-wise plants.
Click here to view the Utah House plant list.
History
The Utah House (UH) project was developed from the grass roots out of concern for the environment. In 1996, Utah State University Extension sponsored a workshop and nearly 100 people attended to discuss the possibility of building a demonstration home in Utah. The idea of creating the UH prompted enough synergy to motivate over 50 people to work on teams to make the vision of the UH become a reality. Volunteer teams were organized around marketing, education, fund raising, infrastructure, house design, and landscape design. Out of the volunteers, the executive team was formed. They worked for a year on creating the name, vision, and principles of the UH.
Mission
Our mission is to demonstrate, educate, and empower the public about new ways of building homes and creating landscapes that promote energy efficiency, water conservation, universal design principles, healthy indoor environments, and the sustainable use of all resources. Located at the Utah Botanical Center, the Utah House is open to the public for tours, workshops, youth groups, field trips, and event rental.
Rental Rates
Facility to be Rented |
Time |
Monday-Thursday |
Friday-Sunday |
Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wetland Discovery Point |
6 Hrs |
$750 |
$850 (90 black chairs) |
250 |
Utah House |
6 Hrs |
$400 |
$500 (40 green chairs) |
200 |
UH Classroom Only |
6 Hrs |
$100 |
$150 (40 green chairs) |
50 |
UH Classroom Business Hours |
4 Hrs |
$75 |
||
Pavilion |
6 Hrs |
$175 |
$200 |
|
Rasmussen Teaching Garden |
6 Hrs |
$175 |
$200 |
- A non-refundable deposit of $150 is required at the time of the initial booking in order to hold your date. The deposit is subtracted from the total.
- Additional hourly rental beyond allotted rental time is available for $50 per hour.
- USUBC facilities are available Monday through Sunday, but unavailable most holidays.
- Payment can be made by check, Discover, MasterCard, Visa and is due 30 days prior to your event. Payment after your event will result in an additional 10% late fee.
Rental Fees Include:
- The use of the building and our garden space.
- Staff person onsite throughout your event.
- Use of audio/visual equipment associated with each facility.