This modern take on an alpine chalet breaks the rules of tradition
The holiday home offers a fresh and modern take on alpine living...
This strikingly modern chalet features a highly contemporary interior, and frames striking alpine views through double-height, floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Designed by local firm Gri e Zucchi Architettura (GEZA), the holiday home offers a fresh and modern take on alpine living.
Its gabled roof and timber-clad façade are a nod to the traditional chalet shape, but while it still retains the homely cosiness of a classic wooden cabin, its modern interiors are flooded with crisp, natural light.
Named Z house, the chalet was designed to intimately connect its residents to its alpine settings, serving as a luxurious base where the owners—a couple who produce high-end wines—often entertain guests. As a second home, it's used mainly during weekends and holidays to host parties, lunches, and dinners.
Set on a steep hill in the tiny village of Camporosso in Italy, the alpine chalet is designed to capture panoramic views of the nearby valley and mountains.
As it's set on a steep slope, the house can be seen from afar as it stands boldly in the landscape. But the closer you get, the structure starts to seemingly blend and disappear into the landscape.
Because the site is so steep, Architecture firm GEZA decided to divide the house into two volumes. One half sits higher on the slope and the other is anchored to the ground at a slightly lower elevation, as if it had slipped and gently settled.
The main entrance, open plan living space and kitchen, and the master bedroom all sit within the higher volume on the ground floor, while additional bedrooms, a sauna and wellness area sit in the lower volume.
The exterior of the house is wrapped in vertical slats of wood – a nod to the traditional agricultural chalets of the area.
The wood slats provide privacy, and prevents too much sunlight reaching the large sections of glazing behind.
The slats are playfully placed at uneven intervals and are sometimes rotated partly to play with the filtered light that dapples through onto the terrace and into the interiors.
The dramatic, double-height living space overlooks the village through double-height windows.
In front of the living room there is a wide cantilevered terrace that opens the front of the house.
The open-plan living area also features a staircase up to the mezzanine balcony, where there's a home office area.
The modern kitchen and dining area has a roaring wood fire and panoramas to match the living space.
The concrete structure of the chalet is only visible internally. From the outside it looks as if it was made just from glass and wood.
Inside, the dark palette of steel, wood and polished concrete contrasts with the lighter timber-clad exterior and living room ceiling.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.
-
The 12 Best Table Lamps for Reading —I'm a Certified Bookworm (and Shopping Expert)
When it comes to table lamps for reading, I don't mess around. If you're the same, this edit is for YOU (and your books, or course — and good recommendations?)
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
"It's Scandi Meets Californian-Cool" — The New Anthro Collab With Katie Hodges Hits Just the Right Style Note
The LA-based interior designer merges coastal cool with Scandinavian simplicity for a delightfully lived-in collection of elevated home furnishings
By Julia Demer Published
-
The simple way to a more sustainable and stylish life with Fisher & Paykel
This incredible new tech saves time, energy and has become the washing machine you need to know about
By Sponsored Published
-
Forget Cottagecore - Flora Fantasia by House of Hackney is Cottage hardcore
House of Hackney's Flora Fantasia collection blends the romanticised rural aesthetic with riotous punk elements
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Bert & May's new hexagon tiles collection is tapping into one of this year's biggest micro trends
Tap into the microtrend for hexagon tiles and make myriad patterns with this new collection from Bert & May
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Matthew Williamson’s tip for renovating a house on a budget is so simple, but incredibly effective
Renovating a house on a budget? See the savvy ways to control costs when managing an interior redesign
By Jacky Parker Published
-
The fabulous new Matthew Williamson furniture collection is a cocktail of color and print
This decorative Matthew Williamson furniture is the beautiful result of collaboration with Roome London
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Out & Out's new furniture collection is full of stylish storage solutions
This stylish storage will have your home organised in a jiffy - whatever its size
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Explore Sandra Bullock’s former coastal chic home in Georgia
Sandra Bullock has just sold her beautiful island beach house, giving us a glimpse at her coastal-inspired interior style.
By Lotte Brouwer Published
-
On your marks: new H&M furniture, lighting and homeware for SS21 about to drop
The new H&M furniture, lighting and homeware collections drop on 4 Feb, so earmark your favourite pieces now
By Jacky Parker Published