ALTITUDE 1800
Valais | Switzerland
An Alpine Embrace
Altitude 1800 is a project embraced by the peaks of the Pennine and Bernese Alps, set in Valais, Switzerland, with sweeping views of iconic summits like the Matterhorn and Weisshorn. Positioned above the Rhône Valley, the house sits within open farmland, surrounded by an expansive landscape where distant views merge with the immediate experience of seasonal changes. Swiss pine and larch forests, along with alpine meadows, offer a rare blend of remote beauty and accessibility, fostering a continuous dialogue between architecture and the alpine environment.
A Mountain Station for
Activities with Family and Friends in the Landscape
Observing the commissioner’s appreciation for connections with family, friends, and nature, the design creates a mountain station that uplifts their spirit, blending tradition with modernity to forge a direct connection to the alpine environment. This setting becomes more than a retreat; it’s a place where relationships with the mountains and loved ones are woven into the architecture, creating a sense of belonging within the natural world.
The house serves as a station for an infinite number of activities, from long hikes and off-piste skiing in winter to quiet moments of reflection. It provides a base for the commissioner’s lifestyle, supporting a rhythm of daily explorations and seasonal adventures. The design fosters social interactions within the context of nature and embraces a people-centered approach to outdoor pursuits.
Functional but tactile spaces where one feels settled.
Our newly refurbished design intends to introduce the notion of natural light into the interior in a way we do not observe in contemporary homes. The master bedroom receives natural light in the late afternoon from below the house due to its high altitude and the undulating topography and landscape. The ceiling details are developed to capture such changing light levels, enabling the residents to sense the outdoor condition without observing the weather.
Open yet private spaces immersed by wood.
Our newly refurbished design intends to introduce the notion of natural light into the interior in a way we do not observe in contemporary homes. The master bedroom receives natural light in the late afternoon from below the house due to its high altitude and the undulating topography and landscape. The ceiling details are developed to capture such changing light levels, enabling the residents to sense the outdoor condition without observing the weather.
Multi dimensional communication and activities.
The dining space is located at the heart of life in the residence, where the existing structure confirms the dining room as a niche. The wood wall and ceiling gently wrap the space with a warm and cosy ambience, yet intimate when alone or with a few people, like Fogher Room in Locanda Cipriani in Venice. A large table is at the centre of the space and typically serves six people, extendable to twelve people. The wood screen filters the dining space from corridor activities and delivers a lively scene. The dining seats are oriented outward-looking during the day but reverse their focus inwards after sunset. The lighting in the corridor filtered by the screen becomes a large-scale lantern providing evening ambience to the table and people.
Design Thinking Processes
The project is located at Crans-Montana, in a region of Canton Valais, a French-speaking part of Switzerland. The existing chalet was built in the 1960s with an open panoramic view towards Rhone valley with Alpine mountains as a scenic background. The view presents ever-changing scenery associated with seasonal activities that are part of the residence life.
Type:
Renovation - Residence
Location:
Canton du Valais, Switzerland
Status:
Completed 2024
Data:
Floor Area: 100㎡
Design:
Yuichi Kodai, Claudia Maggi
Structural Engineer:
Hermann Blumer
Carpenter:
Stahl und Traumfabrik | www.stahlundtraumfabrik.ch
Contractor:
P3 Construction | wwwP3construction.ch