Resort Lodges > Roundhouse Lodge, Whistler BC
The Roundhouse Lodge is located at the top of the Whistler Mountain Gondola at 6,900 ft. (6,700 m) above sea level. The building consists of 33,000 sq. ft. (10,000 sq. m.) of new construction and 22,000 sq. ft. (6,700 m) of renovation of an existing restaurant.
The challenge was to design and build a restaurant and banquet-capable facility between the existing gondola building, integrated the existing restaurant, providing seating for 1550, while creating a variety of dining experiences for the guests. The kitchen not only needed to serve the various finishing stations throughout the facility, but also five satellite restaurants located elsewhere on the mountain. All guests, goods and services arrive by gondola. All garbage leaves by gondola. The separation, both physical and visual between the "back of the house" and the "front of the house" were achieved through careful planning, while allowing the effective transfer of food and garbage.
Although the existing structures are steel the client wished to have wood as a primary material in the new building. The gabled roof spine supported by a heavy timber frame, is responsive in design to the structural grids of the existing buildings. The vaulted spine becomes the defining element of the new composite building.
Although the existing structures are steel the client wished to have wood as a primary material in the new building. The gabled roof spine supported by a heavy timber frame, is responsive in design to the structural grids of the existing buildings. The vaulted spine becomes the defining element of the new composite building.
