Whistler Hideaway

"The project began with the desire for a small, self-contained cabin that would nestle discreetly into the property without interrupting a precious view corridor. This led us to prioritize the pathways of approach—both by foot and vehicle—ensuring the home felt like a natural discovery within the site. We wanted the architecture to share a language with the surrounding peaks, resulting in an angular, rugged form reminiscent of the steep shale slopes found above the tree line. Complemented by coastal Douglas fir and terraced green roofs, the design anchors itself in the forest while echoing the beauty of the alpine meadows." – Marc Bricault

"What makes this project special is the 'small house, big craft' philosophy. We used site-specific framing to draw the eye outdoors and make the interior feel expansive, while custom integrated millwork and furniture ensures the footprint remains functional and uncluttered. This level of care is found in the smaller moments—the custom fluted furniture legs, the form-bent mirror frames, and the etched copper screens with a Japanese floral motif. These details serve as constant reminders of the project’s handmade origins, creating a home that feels uniquely rooted in its site and perfectly tailored to reflect the client’s personal, eclectic style". – Marc Bricault 

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Below mossy green roofs cascading down a rocky escarpment, Whistler Hideaway by Bricault Design is a small sanctuary tucked inside a canopy of conifers. With a form inspired by the surrounding mountain landscape, the highly detailed custom design folds new fabrication techniques into traditional craftsmanship, bringing a timeless feel to a contemporary build. 

Principal Marc Bricault—who began his career as a woodworker—brings an intuitive understanding of material craft to a design defined by its surrounding forested landscape. The 1,268-sq.-ft. home is adorned with complementary creative touches that evoke sculptural elements: an etched copper screen with a Japanese floral motif, and bespoke furniture with fluted and turned wood legs.

“We love working with natural materials, as they are often resilient and bring a unique warmth and timelessness to a project,” says Bricault. “This approach is actualized in Whistler Hideaway through the extensive use of edge grain Douglas fir, showcasing its quiet grain pattern and warmth. We were also excited to locate FSC-certified Pacific madrone for the second floor bedroom and ensuite floor, stairs, handrail, and side tables. The wood from this iconic tree of the West Coast—known locally as Arbutus—glows with pink and deep reddish-brown tones.”

A walkway covered with a green roof shelters residents from Whistler’s snowy winters and shades from hot summers. A thoughtful path winds along the rockface framing extensive views of surrounding mountains. Upon arrival, expansive entryway windows with views into a fern garden create a sense of calm, integrating the exterior and interior while maintaining privacy and an intimacy with native flora. Douglas fir is used on the soffits of the covered walkways, extending into the ceiling of the house, folding down, and overlaying walls with hidden doors to the nearby powder room, pantry, and mechanical room.

The living room is punctuated by a floating staircase above a glazed ceramic tile fireplace, which also provides secondary heat. A singular multi-function rail system independently supports several fixtures such as the shelving along the wall and the staircase itself, exemplifying the strategic use of integrated design. Upstairs, the same rail system reaches upwards to support the primary bedroom’s bedside tables and copper screens flanking the headboard inscribed with Japanese floral patterns etched by Vancouver printmaker and long-standing collaborator Peter Braune of New Leaf Editions. 

Sourcing not only local materials but local makers and fabricators was a priority for both the firm and the client. “Our more than 20-year collaborative friendship with Ted Belch is built on a shared love for craft. His work on this project—from the fluted, tapered legs of the dining table and vanities to the form-bent mirror frames—highlights an exceptional talent for fine detail and expressed joinery,” says Bricault.

It’s these artisan touches that create the feel of a personal art gallery with one-of-a-kind, meticulously made pieces integrated throughout the home. Despite its small footprint, Whistler Hideaway is invitingly spacious, prioritizing natural and durable materials that reflect the hillside forest. Each custom element has been crafted with care to create a home that feels uniquely rooted in its site and perfectly tailored to reflect the client’s personal, eclectic style. 

Design Firm: Bricault Design

Lead Designers: Marc Bricault And Travis Stasney

Photography: Janis Nicolay
Website:&Nbsp; Https://Www.Janisnicolay.Com/&Nbsp; Ig:&Nbsp; Pineconecamp

Contractor: Vision Pacific Construction

Structural: Chalten Engineering

Interiors: Bricault Design

Millwork: 

o   Ted Belch

o   Ebony Millwork

Custom Milling: Swiftsure Milling and Mouldings

Metal Fabrication: Metal Mart

Landscape: High Country Landscape

Furniture & Lighting: 

o   Inform Interiors

o   Livingspace

o   Lightform

Artwork:

o   Rebecca Bayer

o   Bill Pechet