Cypress Residence

Ema Peter

• Architects

This home is a contemporary, West Coast modern ski chalet that blends natural materials, sleek lines, with an emphasis on open, airy spaces to harmonize with its natural surroundings.
Designing a multi-generational home with more than one client was particularly compelling because it presented a unique opportunity to address diverse needs while fostering a deep sense of connection between family members. The challenge of balancing privacy, shared spaces, and different lifestyles within one cohesive design was creatively stimulating.

What convinced Burgers Architecture was the importance of creating a home that would grow with the family. Each generation had its own desires—whether it was a quiet retreat for grandparents, functional and flexible spaces for parents, or playful areas for children. The opportunity to design spaces that could evolve and accommodate changing needs over time, while still feeling unified, allowed us to push the boundaries of traditional home design.

The house contains 6 separate bedrooms: 4 master suites for the parents and their three adult children and their spouses, as well as 2 bunk rooms for 8 children. Additionally, guests can be accommodated in a den that can convert to a bedroom.

This was a lot of programming for a 4,000 square foot house, which had to feel grand and airy but also intimate — to serve both the larger groups (up to 16+ people) as well as a couple on a weekend retreat.

The project was about designing a home that wasn’t just functional for multiple generations but also enhanced the family’s way of living together—celebrating both connection and independence.

Material finishes reflect a refreshed vision of Nordic living in Whistler, using locally sourced basalt and hemlock as the principal drivers for the interiors. The home’s steel structural moment frames, repeated in an expressive way, are needed to support the seismic and snow loads in this high snow zone. These steel frames form a repeating rhythm in the house that serve to anchor it to their purpose. Cabinetry and windows move around these frames in an intentional way, expressing their purpose and serving as a reminder of the functional aspects of the homes structure.

We wanted to express a west coast modern aesthetic with minimalist elegance and warmth, blending natural materials with sleek design. The large, expansive glazing is an architectural expression allowing natural light to flood the interiors while offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and forest, showcasing the dramatic seasonal shifts of the mountains outside.

Team:

Architects: Burgers Architecture Inc

Styling + Furniture: Leanne Leon of E2 Homes

Property Services Garbage Removal: 50 North

Insurance Services Insurance: Allwest Insurance Services Ltd.
Scaffolding: Alpine Scaffolding Ltd

Crane Rental: Black Tusk Cranes Ltd.

Structural Engineers: C.A. Boom Residential Engineering Inc

General Contracting - Labor: DS Bruce Construction Ltd

General Contracting - Labor: E2 Homes Ltd.

Energy Modelling: Ecolighten Energy Solutions

Foundation - Pump Truck/ Boom: F&F Concrete Ltd

General Contracting - Labor: First Peak Contracting LTD

Garage Storage: Garage Guru
Garbage Removal: George Cook

Landscape: J. MAC CONTRACTING

Finishing - Trim Work: JP Finishing & Carpentry

Envelope Engineer: JRG Building Engineering Inc

Electrical: Kuban Electric

Foundation - Labor: Legacy Formworks

Survey: McElhanney Survey

Cleaning: Mint Sanitary

Landscape: MountainScapes Irrigation & Landscaping

Foundation - Placing: Rainbow Concrete Placing and Finishing

Engineering Consultation: Santori

Cleaning: Sea to Sky Removal

Siding - Building Envelope Labour: Sunbelt Exteriors

Landscape: Swordfern Garden Design

Accomodation/ Travel: Tantalus Resort Lodge

Terrane Engineering: Group GeoTech

Titan Fire Protection: Sprinklers

Landscape: Vancouver Premier Contracting

WBI Warranty Enrollment Fee: WBI Warranty

Williams Direct Dryers: Boot Dryers

Framing: Resonate Construction

Electrical Work: Kuban Electric

Rebar: CJ Reinforcing Foundation

Snow Removal: Coastal Mountain Excavation Ltd.

Photographer: Ema Peter

Materials Used:

Appliances - Install: TLC Appliance Installation

Counters: Zone Stone Ltd

Finishing - Interior T&G ceilings on top floor: VA PRO EXTERIOR LTD.

Fire Place: Urban Fireplaces Ltd.

Building Materials: Standard Building Supplies

Windows: Signarama

Building Materials: Rona

Scaffolding: Sabre Rentals

Metal Work: Riverside Ironworks

Lighting & Plumbing fixtures: Robinson Lighting & Bath

Facade cladding: Hemlock Fineline 1x6 T&G clear- vertical grain hemlock1/8' penny gap. staining of all exterior materials by Fisher Coating., Sunbelt Exteriors

Flooring: Mozart Brushed Oak, Country Grade, Colour: RUGEN 7.2" x 9/16" x all boards 7'3" long, natural oil, eased edges and ends, manufactured in Austria by Scheucher. Supplier was European Touch Hardwood Inc.

Doors: BLU Aluminum Windows and Doors, GLASBOX

Windows: BLU Aluminum Windows and Doors, GLASBOX

Interior lighting: MP Lighting, Speciality Lights ‘Carvaggio’ Fritz Hansen, Kitchen Lights by Sonneman

Interior Stairs and all interior custom metal: Metal and Wood.
Smart System: MyTek Integration
Appliances: Coast Wholesale Appliances… Miele pretty much.
Plumbing Work: Paris Plumbing and Heating
Fireplace: Flare is the brand from Urban Fireplace.
Garage Door: Creative Doors

Insulation: Air Flow Spray Foam

Airtight Solutions Insulation: AeroBarrier

Flooring: Bridgewater Tile Ltd

Painting: Charming Painting and Renovation Ltd

Window Engineer: Corbally Consulting Ltd.

Garage Door: Creative Door

Civil Engineering: Creus Engineering Ltd.

Hot Tub: Crystalview Pool, Spa & Patio

Excavation: Dan-Ex Contracting Ltd

Fireplace - Concrete: Distinct Interiors

Printing: Dominion Blue Printing

Insulation: Effective Insulation LTD
Flooring - Wood Materials: European Touch Hardwood