patkau architects sculpts hadaway house in canada’s whistler valley
photography by james dow / patkau architects
all images © patkau architects

 

 

 

located on a northwest slope overlooking british columbia’s whistler valley, this country house in canada has been designed to shed snow from its roof into storage areas within the site. completed by patkau architects, the external form of ‘hadaway house’ is also a direct response to the allowable building footprint and height limitations.

patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
the country house has been designed to shed snow from its roof into neighboring storage areas

 

 

 

internally, the main level is essentially one one large space with living, dining and kitchen areas with an outdoor deck that opens up to the valley view below. a vertical crevice of space runs under the highest roof ridge, bisecting the warped volume and bringing light to the deepest part of the section and plan. stairs rise within this rift and a bridge connects the master bedroom suite and the adjacent study. at the lowermost level more intimate spaces house guest bedrooms and a second living area, as well as a large service area where skiers can store necessary equipment.

patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
the external form is a direct response to the allowable building footprint and height

 

 

 

the slabs and walls which enclose the lower floor are concrete construction, while the uppermost storeys are a composite steel and heavy timber structure with woodframe infill. the entire structure is sheathed with a monolithic screen of open-spaced 2 x 6 cedar boards over conventional roof and wall assemblies. the thermal mass of the lower concrete structure dampens temperature swings during summer and winter. in warmer months the interior is naturally cooled and ventilated by drawing air from the lower level on the north side of the house to vent at the top of the central rift.

patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
a terrace overlooking the valley below

patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
the main level is essentially one one large space

patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
angled windows present views of the surrounding landscape

patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
living accommodation is brightly lit throughout

patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
a bridge connects the bedroom suite and the adjacent study

patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
the dwelling’s sleeping quarters

patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
the winter home overlooking british columbia’s whistler valley

 

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patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
 
patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
 
patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
 
patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
 
patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
 
patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
 
patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
 
patkau architects hadaway house whistler canada designboom
 

 

project info:

 

client: confidential
program: single family house
status: completed
scale: 5,000 sqf / 465 sqm

 

architects: patkau architects – john patkau, patricia patkau, with lawrence grigg and stephanie coleridge, marc holland, peter suter
photography: james dow / patkau architects
engineers: equilibrium consulting
geotec: horizon engineering
envelope: spratt emanuel
contractor: alta lake lumber co.