THE ARCHITECTURE ACE

SOMETIMES, NO MATTER how smart, connected, and well-resourced you are, you simply need an expert—and not just any expert, but the rarefied insider other specialists call when they need help.

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Luckily, Robb Report has a roster of such world-class professionals on speed dial.

This month, it’s Tom Kundig, who’s a principal and founder of Olson Kundig, a design firm with a trio of offices stateside and staff of more than 300. He’s a starchitect renowned for his know-how in building high-end properties in challenging locations, with a particular interest in industrial design and the smallest details of every major project.

THE BIG QUESTION

Climate change is making extreme weather events more commonplace. What can I do to mitigate the risks?

Kundig’s experience designing for extreme climates, including in Switzerland, informs his cold-weather approach. “Think about those farm buildings and chalets there. The flatter the roof is in snow country, the safer it is. When you have a steep roof, it’s like an avalanche and you have no control over it. You can build for weight, but you can’t predict movement.” Guided by a retired snow consultant, Kundig adopted the inverted Butterfly roofline, which channels snow and icy runoff to a waterproofed central line.