Managing Snow: Keep it Cool and Know How Much it Weighs

Snow Equation

Snow + heat = water.
Water + freezing temperatures = icicles.
Thawing ice + the roof junctions = problems.

Melting roof snow over warm living spaces can lead to ice dams building up over the much cooler eaves. So when in Whistler, apart from thick insulation to keep the heat in, a good practice is to keep the roof space well ventilated top to bottom so it maintains a constant temperature, over both the main roof and the eave. After all, we do like the look and function of a nice wide eave, especially as it functions to push snow away from the wall.

This is a construction section cut through the middle of a house designed for Canadian snow. It was important to safely manage where the heavy snow falls off the roof and what effect it will have on the neighbours, as well as keeping it shedding away from front door. It is always important to mix practical issues with any romantic and inventive design concept.

My talented Structural Engineer explains how much higher the snow loads here are. It gives the building elements a certain thickness and a robust, even 'chunky' look. Some good design work in Whistler has kept chunky from looking 'clunky'.

An Australian in Whistler

In this Whistler home for a local Structural Engineer, the budget and site called for a disciplined design approach.

In Canada, there are recognised styles for homes such as "West Coast Contemporary" (angular roofs, stepped rectangular wall forms and exposed timber); "Craftsman" (contempory interpetations of Californian homes from the 1920s-30s with big roof overhangs); "Tudor" and the 1970's Vancouver Special", amongst others.

A new style is emerging here. It has a simple form; efficient floor layout; and creates drama through structural expression and vertical space. Due its design influences, the outcome is termed "Australian Modernism".

It is appropriate that the first such home is built in Whistler, BC, because as any Aussie snowboarder will tell you, Whistler is the Canadian capital of Australia.