Located twelve miles south of Whistler, the Black Tusk Residence is for an artist and project manager, who wanted a modern materially expressive architecture informed by the particularity of its place and the alpine climate. The house lies in a forest clearing at the edge of a seasonal marsh with dramatic view of the Garibaldi Mountain Range.
The structure rests on a bedrock swale nestled between trees and rock outcrops. A reinforced polished concrete slab with masonry block walls anchors the building to the site. The wall construction is a double-wythe of CMUs with an insulated cavity. This economical and energy efficient wall system requires minimal maintenance and offers unparalleled durability, longevity and an effective barrier to moisture. The masonry block with a running bond is left exposed providing the exterior and interior wall finish. The structural integrity and beauty of concrete block, its tactile texture is a perfect foil to the Douglas fir glulams and wood decking. The high thermal mass of the concrete floor and insulated block walls provides effective thermal storage that reduces peak heating and cooling loads and moderates indoor temperature swings.
The Black Tusk Residence has a modern materially expressive aesthetic, carefully detailed in masonry block, wood and glass that celebrates its alpine setting.
