Spaceship-like ski chalet sheds snow with its sharp crystalline form

Strict building guidelines and difficult site conditions are no match for Patkau Architects.

The Vancouver firm rose to these building challenges in their unique design for the space ship-like Hadaway House. Perched high on a snowy northwest slope in British Columbia, the timber-clad ski chalet overlooks stunning panoramic views of Whistler valley. Its sharp angles and dramatically sloped roof allows snow to easily slide off and avoid build up.

Commissioned by Martin and Sue Hadaway, the eponymous 460-square-meter home is clad in ipe hardwood planks and punctuated by shard-like glazing strips and black steel. The shape of the geometric wedge-shaped home was informed by two main considerations: the building footprint and height restrictions, and the need for a folded roof that could “shed snow…into appropriate storage areas within the site.” The house is set atop concrete slabs and walls that store thermal mass and protect the building from the region’s temperature extremes.

The interior matches the geometric facade with its angular lines and contemporary aesthetic. The open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas are located on the first floor, which is faced with glass and overlooks panoramic views of the valley. The master bedroom suite can be found on the second floor, while the guest bedrooms and a secondary bedroom are tucked below on the ground floor.