Alpine Architecture
Reinterpreting Mountain Living
Imagine the perfect chocolate box Swiss mountain village and it might well look like Grimentz in the Val d’Anniviers, southwest Switzerland. The historic heart of the Swiss village is a total beauty, its narrow paths tightly packed with small chalets and barns, their wood darkened by centuries of sunshine. Hand-carved window boxes overflow with jaunty red geraniums and doors open on to cosy wine cellars where residents gather to drink the local vin glacier from aged barrels.
These chalets, some dating to the fifteenth century, are authentic Alpine architecture at its alluring best. Originally designed to handle the highs and lows of mountain weather, Alpine chalets featured a wooden A-frame structure under a steeply sloping roof with wide eaves, balconies to store wood and hay and two or more floors that allowed a family to house their farm animals on the ground floor. Over time, the animals moved out and decorative flourishes were added but the basic shape and predominant use of wood and stone has remained the same for centuries.
Today, Grimentz is a family-friendly destination with snow parks and wonderful off-piste terrain for winter and biking and hiking trails through flower-filled meadows for summer. It has retained its charm thanks largely to new homes that externally, have all the instantly recognisable hallmarks of the historic architecture, matched with supremely comfortable interiors.
It’s a similar story right across Switzerland. Villars, 85 minutes from Geneva airport in the Vaud, has spent millions upgrading lifts and adding leisure facilities to make it a thoroughly modern resort.
Yet the success of sales at Domaine du Roc, a luxury, new development with wooden exteriors and warm, contemporary interiors, was a further testament to the beauty buyers see in traditional Alpine styling. Meanwhile, in the Bernese Oberland, Gstaad has passed local laws to ensure all new properties are built with wood.
“Buyers in Switzerland want a true mountain feel with plenty of old wood and stone in their chalets,” says Alex de Koch de Gooreynd, head of Knight Frank’s Swiss network. “The best chalets acknowledge the past while also offering up to date modern living. Internally clients demand space and light with good volumes and large windows to maximise views. Skiing holidays are generally very sociable so spacious, open-plan entertainment space is a must and contemporary interiors are popular, but always with a reference to mountain living. Clients like the sense of tradition these chalets bring, built with old techniques and improved with modern insulation and efficient energy systems.”
In the French Alps, clients are equally committed to efficiency and sustainability, considering the environment in the construction and running of their homes. The best developers are responding, using reclaimed wood, upgrading insulation and installing geothermal heating. Air-source heat pumps are increasingly popular too, with the potential to save 70% on energy bills.
“People’s priorities for their ski home have evolved over the past two years, almost certainly as a reaction to lockdowns and confinements,” says Roddy Aris from Knight Frank’s French team. “The idyllic chocolate box chalet is no longer their top request. Instead they care about volume. They want high ceilings, big windows and generous space that can be used in multiple ways. People want somewhere an extended group of family or friends can stay together but still enjoy some privacy, somewhere offering flexible accommodation with a home office or a games room. They will not compromise on space and light.”
Les Houches, France
Offering a modern design while retaining the warmth and comfort people like in the mountains, this four bedroomed chalet with cinema/lounge area, office, gym, hammam and sauna is situated in a quiet, private location to the south of Les Houches centre. Its private position is just a 5 minute walk to the beginner/family-friendly Tourchet ski slope and features space and luxury in a contemporary style so rarely seen here.
Les Houches, France
Offering a modern design while retaining the warmth and comfort people like in the mountains, this four bedroomed chalet with cinema/lounge area, office, gym, hammam and sauna is situated in a quiet, private location to the south of Les Houches centre. Its private position is just a 5 minute walk to the beginner/family-friendly Tourchet ski slope and features space and luxury in a contemporary style so rarely seen here.
Aspen, USA
This five bedroom property provides the rare opportunity to own an iconic piece of Aspen history and one of only a handful of corner lot Victorians featuring a stand-alone carriage house. The light and bright interiors feature vaulted ceilings and large windows, highlighting the contrast between Victorian charm and modern living. The exterior gardens and patio are sheltered by beautiful mature cottonwoods, which enhance the Aspen summer experience.
Aspen, USA
This five bedroom property provides the rare opportunity to own an iconic piece of Aspen history and one of only a handful of corner lot Victorians featuring a stand-alone carriage house. The light and bright interiors feature vaulted ceilings and large windows, highlighting the contrast between Victorian charm and modern living. The exterior gardens and patio are sheltered by beautiful mature cottonwoods, which enhance the Aspen summer experience.
Verbier, Switzerland
Located in the peaceful Patier area, this beautiful south-facing chalet offers a panoramic view of the resort of Verbier and the surrounding mountains. Built in 1994 and renovated in 2014, this chalet has seven bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom. The chalet is located in an excellent position, situated just a few meters from the bus stop that takes you to the heart of the resort and the start of the ski lifts.
Verbier, Switzerland
Located in the peaceful Patier area, this beautiful south-facing chalet offers a panoramic view of the resort of Verbier and the surrounding mountains. Built in 1994 and renovated in 2014, this chalet has seven bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom. The chalet is located in an excellent position, situated just a few meters from the bus stop that takes you to the heart of the resort and the start of the ski lifts.
