Chalet Nê
Location
French Alps, France
Category
Residential
Scope
Brand, Space, Product
Sheltering an itinerant family of four with roots in the East and West, Chalet Nê celebrates and encapsulates the warmth, sense of community, and artistry of East Asian mountain cultures from its perch in the French Alps, an abode that augurs respite while stoking the fires of exploration and a pursuit of the climb in equal measure.
On the edges of wilderness, Chalet Nê overlooks a valley of winding streams, expansive farmland, and mountain ranges.
North East elevation
North West elevation
The chalet’s robust, three-level form projects tactile hardiness against the elements. A pine board façade and a textural base of masonry grey stone describe the architectural palette, reflecting local building culture and a sensitive gathering of resources from its natural context; it is symbolic of the reverence early mountain tribes hold for nature and its living denizens.
The architecture draws from its context: steep, larch-shingled roofs recall alpine peaks; stone walls and ornate balustrades pay homate to Bhutan's Dzong monasteries. By deepening our understanding of building and sheltering in Himalayan climates, we honour a culture that celebrates a greater good and the history of Eastern mountaineering.
Plaster texture tempers the warmth and grain of the living space's reclaimed wood panels.
Kitchen and dining area
Local timber vertical cladding
Master bedroom
“Spelaion” Lantern
Master bathroom
A reminder of the elemental nature of the highlands through materiality
La Lune Wall-Mounted Light, solid brass, paper coated shade, metal shields
Pool, sauna, hammam
Vals stone; a mineral expression of Alpine lakes
A collection of tools, entertaining rituals and creating habits
Derived from the Savoyard dialect of the French Alps meaning nest and snow, the chalet's naming finds its roots in the preservation of heritage, the continuity of a lineage and honour in the greater spirit of the mountains.
A bespoke ritual
Invitations to interact and contemplate
