Kicking Horse Residence
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson creates a flexible vacation house by separating public and private areas into discrete structures.
Architects & Firms
Golden, British Columbia
In designing a house for a family of five at the Kicking Horse ski resort in Golden, British Columbia, architect Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (BCJ) wanted to make the most of views while preserving privacy on a tight site. The 1-acre property sits on a loop road near a ski trail in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, bordered by houses on either side. The best vistas were from the front, looking east, and at the back, looking out to the slopes.
The smaller volume for the living/dining room floats over the forest floor, supported by steel beams anchored to the poured-in-place concrete fireplace and to the north stair. Its roof lifts up to the west to capture views of spruce and aspen trees, while a deep overhang acts as a visor to shield the interior from the sun. The adjoining bar-like building has steel columns supporting an 88-foot-long timber roof pitched at a 40-degree angle to the south. It dramatically cantilevers at the east and west ends, beyond a poured concrete base.
Besides using painted steel for the folded roof, the architects sheathed exterior walls in black-stained and natural red cedar, punctuated by red and white fiber cement board panels. The combination of these materials on the exterior, along with interior surfaces of Douglas fir plywood, create an unexpectedly cozy cabin rendered as a modernist ski chalet.
Completion Date: November 2011
Gross Square Footage: 3,500 square feet
Architect:
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
1932 First Avenue
Suite 916, Seattle
WA 98101
t. 206-256-0862
f. 206-256-0864
PeopleArchitect: Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit: Architect of record: Interior designer: Engineer(s): General contractor: Photographer(s): Matthew Millman Renderer(s): CAD system, project management, |
ProductsStructural system Manufacturer of any structural components unique to this project: Exterior cladding Rainscreen: Wood: Moisture barrier: Roofing Metal: Other: Windows Glazing Doors Wood doors: Sliding doors: Upswinging doors, other: Hardware Pulls: Interior finishes Paints and stains: Paneling: Solid surfacing: Special surfacing: Floor and wall tile: Wood flooring: Furnishings Chairs: Tables: Upholstery: Other furniture: Lighting Task lighting: Dimming System or other lighting controls: Plumbing Appliances Other unique products that contribute to sustainability: |
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
