WHISTLER HOMES: Harmony on Green Lake

from Whistler Magazine Winter/Spring 2022

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Whistler’s Nordic Renaissance

LIGHT FILTERS THROUGH THE HOME TO PROVIDE DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, CHANGING WITH THE BREATHTAKING GREEN LAKE AND MOUNTAIN VIEW.

HARMONY ON GREEN LAKE

A CRAFTED CONTEMPORARY HOME HONOURING GEOGRAPHY AND SPIRIT

STORY BY LAURA NEWTON

THE OPEN LIVING SPACE CONNECTS TO THE EXPANSIVE BALCONY BY LARGE CUSTOM-MADE GLASS DOORS.

RIGHT PHOTO: A SMALL ENTRY COURTYARD WITH A CUSTOM WATER FEATURE AND REFLECTING POOL SETS THE TONE FOR THE ZEN EXPERIENCE THAT WEAVES ITSELF THROUGHOUT THE HOME.

When architect Fook Weng Chan, principal of FWC Architecture, was tasked with designing a family home on Green Lake at Trudy’s Landing, he took on the project with careful and emotional consideration.

“The 4,984 square-foot home’s design was born out of a desire for architecture of substance—a building that fit harmoniously into the landscape, drew inspiration from the surrounding environment, and highlighted the beauty of natural materials.

“(The owners) wanted a design that speaks of the forest, mountain, and ski resort characteristics of Whistler, and also maximized the rare wide lake frontage,” explains Chan, of the prime location on the shores of the eye-catching Green Lake, north of the Village.

Chan believes that when all the elements of a structure work together, it is imbued with a soul and can provide a type of spiritual haven that honours both the inhabitants and the surrounding geography—a feeling that he says is more easily experienced than described.

“It’s very much about what you feel as you approach the house, enter, walk through various parts, and—at different points (in time)—how light comes in on different levels or angles as you work your way through the house,” says Chan. >>

THE HOME WELCOMES YOU IN WITH SOARING CEILINGS, FLOOR-TO-CEILING WINDOWS AND A SPACEDEFINING POST-AND-BEAM STRUCTURE THAT WORKS TO MAINTAIN A FEELING OF WARMTH AND COMFORT.

RIGHT PHOTO: A CUSTOM-DESIGNED CHEF’S KITCHEN PROVIDES AMPLE ROOM FOR CULINARY ADVENTURE AND GRAND OR INTIMATE DINNER PARTIES.

it’s easy to see just what he is referring to as you pull off the Sea to Sky highway and enter the property. Careful design and planning, including a curved dry-jointed basalt wall at the front of the house, screens out the highway noise to create a serene environment. There’s a crafted wood gate, set within the illuminated stone entry wall, which opens into a pleasant surprise (the first of many throughout the home): a small courtyard with a custom water feature and reflecting pool.

“The creation of this private space allowed a full wall of windows from the house—looking out onto a landscape feature rather than the road,” says Chan, noting that this reinforces the connection between the interior and exterior, also allowing natural light into the home.

The quiet entrance opens into an impressive living space, featuring post-and-beam construction which enables large windows, glazed patio doors, and a curved roof to provide unobstructed views of Green Lake, Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, and beyond. It’s a picture perfect backdrop that sets a peaceful tone throughout the home, despite the majestic drama of the Coast mountains.

The timber post-and-beam structure also works to define spaces within the open floor plan. “All too often, homes have wide, open-plan designs with weak definition of spaces within. This is often the reason for psychologically uncomfortable spaces with otherwise beautiful homes,” explains Chan.

Different areas of the open space are further defined by large dark limestone tiles, inset in the white oak floor, while multi-tonal wood accents create gentle cohesion throughout.

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TOP: OVERLOOKING GREEN LAKE, THE MASTER BEDROOM PROVIDES A RELAXING AND RESTFUL RETREAT, FEATURING WARM WOOD TONES.

BOTTOM: THE MAIN FLOOR BATHROOM MIXES GLASS, WOOD TONES AND DARK TILE, AND PROVIDES A LARGE SHOWER AND SOAKER TUB. the use of local materials, such as Douglas fir, local basalt, and other natural materials fit the home comfortably into the landscape, explains the home’s builder, Jeff Burdett of Burj Enterprises.

The prominent use of bamboo for the home’s custom cabinetry and other millwork provides a warm texture and another pleasant surprise in the context of a Whistler residence. “Bamboo was selected because of the very linear look to the material, which complemented some of the horizontal lines in the building,” explains Chan.

The main floor offers a large kitchen, dining and living areas that open onto the spacious balcony overlooking Green Lake, as well as the master bedroom, luxury walkin closet, large bathroom, and an outdoor shower—another surprise typically not found in Whistler.

Additional bedrooms, living space, and a large balcony with an infinity hot tub on the lower-level

offer access to the property’s quintessential Whistler views. Bathrooms, steam rooms, sauna, laundry, and other amenities are located at the rear of the home.

Throughout, a wide range of one-of-a-kind, custom-designedand-built elements are included, such as light fixtures, illuminated back walls, the fireplace, sliding panels, furniture, and display niches for sculptures.

“We are incredibly spoiled in Whistler with Canada’s best builders and this residence takes it to the next level with quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. It’s a very special property,” says John Ryan of The Whistler Real Estate Company.

Landscape design works to integrate the home into the land through a series of terraces that allow for both covered and open outdoor living spaces close to the water. Local hard materials, including basalt columns and pavers, and carefully selected plants and foliage ensure the property will mature in unity with the surroundings.

At the water, a large swing dock provides a place to launch a quiet summertime canoe ride or a landing spot for a floatplane. In the winter, a launch directly from the property offers space to head out for a peaceful cross-country ski across the frozen lake or for snow kiting on windier days.

The home was completed in 2008 and has since been included in coffee table books and featured among Chan’s work at the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, the premier architecture festival in the world.

Chan explains: “The Italian curators specifically wanted to show the rest of the world examples of contemporary architecture that is informed by and born of the ‘spirit of place.’” W