Design & Build
With the fantastic opportunity to design and build our very own chalet starting from a blank sheet of paper, the possibilities at first seemed almost endless. But really, we knew exactly what we wanted the moment we secured our plot of land.
Something traditional and elegant, yet still practical. In harmony with its surroundings but most importantly, a building that would mature gracefully and be able to stand the test of time for generations to come.
Traditional Design
Luckily, we found an architect and builder who was particularly in tune with our thinking and who we felt could help us realise our dream. Owning his own timber yard, he fully understood the whole process of choosing materials and taking a building from plan and making it a reality. Together, we came up with the perfect compromise between a traditional design and something that also incorporated the distinct features that we felt would be unique to us.
Locally-Sourced Materials
It was important to us that the fabric of the building resonated with the surrounding mountain landscape, which is mostly forested. We felt that choosing sustainable, locally-sourced timber and stone would respect the heritage and industry of the region. In tandem with the traditional design we had envisaged, we hoped that our choice of materials would not only be hard wearing but also gain further character with the passage of time.
Swiss Craftsmanship
In the build of a chalet, Swiss craftsmanship finds its expression in a number of ways. It’s sensitive to local building traditions and materials and not least the local micro-climate.
Geothermal Heating
Although the capital cost was high, we made the decision to install a geothermal heating system instead of an oil-based one.
Geothermal harnesses the energy of the mountain itself and is economical, efficient and environmentally friendly. It provides a more effective way to heat a building because the foundations are kept at a constant temperature throughout the year. This means the all three floors of the chalet are kept at a constant, comfortable temperature all year round as well as supplying all our hot water needs.