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Builder/Architect continued

Greater Vancouver Edition December 2002

Munster and Sons Developments Ltd.
A Reputation for World Renown Homes
Susan M Boyce

cover image

Still, out of all the beauty found in Akasha, it's the pool room that instantly becomes my favourite. The lap pool features a waterfall at the far end, and is flanked by four totems representing the four directions of the medicine wheel in Salish culture - north, south, east, and west, represented by thunderbird, eagle, bear, and wolf. In an unanticipated demonstration of the synchronicity Munster homes have with their environment, the totems are precisely located on the appropriate compass points.
The totems, like much of the First Nations artwork incorporated into Munster home designs, are carved by XwaLackTun. "We use a lot of local artists," Bonnie says, gesturing to four fused-glass windows in the wall seperating the pool area from the circular staircase to the upper floors. "These were created by Melanie Rowe from Twin Vision Glass and are mirror images of the carving XwaLackTun did for the totems."

Curved Logs in Abardair
Photo Luke Macmillan/Whistler Photo-File
(c) 2003 Munster & Sons Developments Ltd.

Bonnie smiles fondly, "Melanie is an old friend of mine, and when I told her who the artist was, she was overjoyed by the opportunity to collaborate. It turns out that they had met some years ago, become close friends, but had lost touch." Whether serendipity or synchronicity, the result is as unique as it is beautiful.

Always on the Go

With three to four projects constantly underway, Andy says the couple are typically working on homes at every stage of construction, from locating the property to furnishing. As we pull into the driveway at Abardair, I'm struck by the contrasts and similarities with Akasha. This home is what Andy describes as comtemporary rustic, a unique mountain home with intricate detail, superior finishings and ultimate livability. Here too, exposed logs appear to grow in many walls and supports.
"It can take months to source the right logs, especially the curved ones," Andy says. "With our custom designs, few suppliers are able to meet our requirements. This house for example, has 75 curved areas." In fact, this extensive use of exposed curved logs has become something of a trademark in Munster homes, so much so that the couple, working closely with their trades, have invented a refined process which allows them to take regular logs and invisibly curve them.
He challenges me to inspect a gracefully arched doorway and decide if the double curvature (both vertically down the side and horizontally back into the wall), is natural or artificial. No matter how closely I look, I can't find anything to indicate this is anything other than the way they found it - the natural beauty is unmarred. Of course, I'm wrong, although Andy admits this was one of their most challenging pieces.
But this is no copycat Akasha - the style at Abardair is equally distinct. Working collaboratively with the owners, the top of the grand central staircase is

designed to be an open, loft-style billiards and gaming room. To one side , a fully self-contained, one-bedroom suite has been designed for when the owners' son is able to spend time in Whistler. To the other side is the main part of the residence - a great room with expansive fireplace, open kitchen, and a "natural" rock patio with hot tub and waterfall. "The backyard is very small," Bonnie acknowledges. "It was a real challenge to create an inviting, usable space here." By now, I'm hardly surprised that the challenge was met.
However, in this home it's the upstairs bedroom that represents my highlight of this tour. A spacious retreat, I can fully understand why Bonnie says the new owners have decided to "sleep over," even though the rest of the home is still receiving the final finishing touches. From the balcony overlooking the hot tub, to the extravagant jetted tub in the ensuite, this space has been designed for two people to share time with each other away from the hustle and bustle of every living.

Looking Ahead

After almost thirty years, Andy says the couple plan to continue building in Whistler despite an increasing number of offers from around the world. "One man called to ask if we would recreate Akasha in Norway," he says shaking his head. "It was very flattering however it would be impossible to recreate it exact, because each home is designed to fit the personality of the owner in the unique environment it's built in."
Over the next few months their design team's creativity will once again be challenged as they embark on their newest project. "We spent a long time finding the perfect lot for this client," Andy says. "But as soon as we saw it we knew it was the right one." Like Michelangelo who saw the sculpture hidden within a block of stone, Andy and Bonnie Munster can already see the home hidden within the treed, mountainside lot.

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