design et al are delighted to announce that Shep&Kyles have been shortlisted for Ski Chalet Award within The International Design and Architecture Awards 2018.
A contemporary ski lodge, blending modern design with traditional craftsmanship and materials to create an exceptional mountain residence. The clients’ brief was to design a spacious (650m²) luxurious and architecturally exciting 6-bedroom ski lodge, for the high-end chalet-holiday rental market. The property needed a dramatic look and exceptional presentation to sell itself to a discerning clientele, whilst simultaneously satisfying the planning requirements for traditional alpine architecture and retaining a cosy “refuge” feel for the guests after an energetic day on the ski slopes. The design needed to be adventurous but also had to work commercially, be robust, have reliable services, and offer all the facilities required for the rigours of high occupancy and the harsh mountain environment.
Shep&Kyles Design collaborated with prestigious local architect Hervé Marullaz and were responsible for the interior architecture and interior design. Over a three-year period, Shep&Kyles worked closely with the owner, architect, build-team, specialist contractors and future tour-operator to develop the detailed design and optimise materials, equipment, finishes and furnishings. This included refining the interior layout, the show-kitchen and pro-kitchen spec, bathroom designs, pool spa wellness and gym facilities, the cinema and entertainment facilities, choosing the overall look and colour palette, along with resolving all the hundreds of design details which bring the building to life.
Shep&Kyles envisaged a clean contemporary alpine style, centred around four key materials – reclaimed wood, glass, anthracite metalwork and a graduated grey colour palette. The chalet uses these materials in a variety of ways across its three levels – from the weathered wooden structure to the bespoke cabinetry, the double-height glass atrium bisecting the chalet, the “floating” dining area, the glass steps in the salon revealing the swimming pool below, to the metal windows and capping details in the stairwell and the grey paint scheme and matching furnishings throughout.
Along with the glass atrium, one of the most striking features of the chalet is the 22-metre outdoor-indoor-outdoor pool, which cuts right through the lower floor of the chalet. Motorised glazed panels are recessed each side, to either contain a secure indoor plunge-pool or open it to outdoors to its full swimming length. A Japanese bridge arches over the pool, connecting the spa complex (complete with hammam, massage room and rainforest shower) to the external hot-tub and pool-side terrace. On a more practical level, the integration of the garage block with the boot room and underground gallery passageway gives direct weatherproof access into the chalet.
In addition to completing the architectural design and overseeing its execution, Shep&Kyles designed a furnishing scheme to create a stylish yet relaxed alpine-chic interior. The look is contemporary and uncluttered, but with small whimsical twists such as the handmade swings hanging above the mezzanine, or the funky bubble-chair in a bedroom. The end result is a contemporary ski lodge that sits comfortably, even unobtrusively in its environment; and is light and airy with a perfect blend of traditional carpentry and materials within a practical modern design.