Cover Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames panoramic views in the family living area
Floor-to-ceiling glazing frames panoramic views in the family living area
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The contemporary West Coast modern retreat by Burgers Architecture seamlessly balances privacy and togetherness for all three generations of the family
While the cautionary saying goes, “too many cooks spoil the broth,” Burgers Architecture managed to design a home for a large family that addresses the diverse needs of each individual, fostering a deep sense of connection between family members.
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“This project marked our firm’s first experience in designing a home for a client that was really a group of several family members as the ‘client,’” recalls Cedric Burgers, principal architect at Burgers Architecture.
“It was particularly compelling, because each voice brought new ideas and perspectives, resulting in a design that truly reflected the personality and values of the entire family,” he continues.
The pied-à-terre is for a multigenerational family that loves the outdoors and spending their days skiing
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For this multigenerational family that loves the outdoors and spending their days skiing, the world-renowned mountain resort town of Whistler, located about two hours north of Vancouver, Canada, is the perfect location to explore the very best of what the natural surroundings have to offer.
Nicknamed Cypress Home, the pied-à-terre is tucked into an alpine scenery with access to year-round activities: skiing and snowboarding at one of the largest ski resorts in North America, as well as hiking and biking the extensive trails with views of pristine freshwater lakes during the summer months.
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Above Large, expansive glazing on the second floor with open-plan living spaces
Large, expansive glazing on the second floor with open-plan living spaces
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Homeowners Matt and Leanne, who are also behind Vancouver-based luxury custom home builder E2 Homes Ltd responsible for the construction of the property, envisioned a place for the whole family to gather under one roof–a holiday home that feels both grand enough to accommodate more than 16 people and intimate enough for the couple during their “off season” weekend retreats.
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Above Locally sourced basalt and hemlock are the principal drivers for the interiors
Above The airy, open-plan living spaces benefit from the high, pitched ceilings
Locally sourced basalt and hemlock are the principal drivers for the interiors
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“Each generation had its own desires–whether it was functional and flexible spaces for parents, playful areas for children, or a quiet retreat for grandparents,” Burgers elaborates.
“It was important to create a home that would grow with the family while still feeling unified, and the challenge of balancing privacy, shared spaces and different lifestyles within one cohesive design was creatively stimulating.”
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Above White oak, European touch flooring evokes minimalist elegance and warmth
White oak, European touch flooring evokes minimalist elegance and warmth
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Spanning 4,000 sq ft, Cypress Home is a contemporary, West Coast modern ski chalet that blends natural materials with sleek lines–a common denominator among the family members, despite each having their own ideas of what the perfect home should be.
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Completed in 2023, the home reflects a refreshed vision of Nordic living, featuring a distinctive pitched roof with steel structural moment frames in supporting the seismic and snow loads in the high snow zone where the property is located.
These frames also establish a rhythmic pattern throughout the house, providing a sense of stability as cabinetry and windows move around them in an intentional way, serving the functional aspects of the home’s structure.
Above A lustrous mix of pearl grey Corian and super white marble in the kitchen
Above The airy space can be bustling with activity, yet doesn’t feel chaotic
A lustrous mix of pearl grey Corian and super white marble in the kitchen
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Large, expansive glazing on the second floor allows natural light to permeate the interiors, while offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and forest throughout the dramatic seasonal changes in the mountainous setting.
To express a West Coast modern aesthetic with minimalist elegance and warmth, locally sourced basalt and hemlock–a native North American wood species known for its durability and attractive appearance–are incorporated as principal drivers for the interiors.
See also: Home tour: A luxurious multigenerational home near New Delhi showcasing homegrown materials
Meanwhile, white oak with European touch flooring, millwork flat panels in smoke embers and wrought iron, as well as pearl grey Corian and super white marble are paired with linen and flannel wall coverings that exude comfort and warmth amidst its wintry setting.
Above A sense of calm that harmonises with the natural surroundings
Above The heated covered deck overlooks the distant mountains
A sense of calm that harmonises with the natural surroundings
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Open, airy spaces not only harmonise with the natural surroundings but are also generous enough in all areas to maintain a sense of calm, as the open-plan layout transitions seamlessly from lively entertaining spaces to cosy, intimate areas.
“With the house full, it is important that it doesn’t feel chaotic,” Burgers explains. “The idea was to feel at any moment that even if all family members were in the home, and it was bustling with activity, one could still retreat to their own quarters and rooms or find a spot to relax easily.”
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Above A blend of natural materials with modern, sleek lines
Above Bathrooms reflect a refreshed vision of Nordic living
A blend of natural materials with modern, sleek lines
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This approach allowed Burgers Architecture to push the boundaries of traditional home design by the living spaces on the upper floor. Here, the sprawling layout–consisting of the living, dining and kitchen areas–benefits from the high, pitched ceilings.
“Putting the living spaces upstairs meant that they look over the neighbouring houses to the distant mountains, with large floor-to-ceiling windows facing south for sunlight and heat,” Burgers adds.
Read more: Home tour: A multigenerational family home in India built around a lush central courtyard
The communal spaces also extend out to the large, covered deck–a heated outdoor area that serves as a momentary escape from the bustle inside.
Above A seamless transition to the cosy, intimate areas
Above The six bedrooms take up the larger level downstairs
A seamless transition to the cosy, intimate areas
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The six separate bedrooms take up the lower floor instead, where the larger level accommodates four master suites for the parents and their three adult children and their spouses, as well as two bunk rooms for eight grandchildren.
Additionally, the homeowners can house guests in the den, which can be converted to an extra bedroom.
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Credits
Photography: Ema Peter Photography
Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
