Search

An A-Frame Cabin for a Snowboarding Family in Whistler

A family of snowboarders longed for a weekend retreat in Whistler, Canada, in a neighborhood known for 1970’s A-frame and Gothic arch cabins and chalets. To realize their plans, they hired Scott and Scott Architects to design an A-frame cabin on a steep sloping rock bluff just north of Whistler village in a more modest size that reflects the original scale of the early structures the neighborhood was known for.

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-2

The 178-square-meter (1915 square foot) cabin is built into the bluff so the entrance is placed on the lowest level. There, you’ll find a gear drying room, winter and summer equipment storage, a bathroom, and laundry.

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-3

Making the most of the view of the mountains, the living area and kitchen faces the windows while being backed into the hill on the backside.

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-4

The structure is made of an exposed frame of locally sourced douglas fir that sits atop a concrete base that’s anchored to the rock.

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-5

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-6

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-7

The cabinets were built onsite with locally sourced, construction grade plywood, while the countertops were fabricated from marble that’s from a quarry located on Vancouver Island.

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-8

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-9

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-10

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-11

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-12

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-13

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-14

The roof is covered in red cedar shakes that will change over time to resemble the surrounding rock.

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-15

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-16

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-17

Scott-and-Scott-Architects-Whistler-Cabin-18

Photography by Scott and Scott Architects.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.