design et al are delighted to announce that Q Design House & Rime Architecture have been shortlisted for Ski Chalet Award in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2019.
The property was built in the 1970s and although it had stunning views, the orientation of the rooms did not take advantage of this or the natural light. Rime Architecture and Q Design House were approached by the clients with a brief to transform and enlarge the property, whilst retaining a relaxed ambience for family retreats to the Alps.
The client wanted a cosy, contemporary and comfortable home with a scheme that stayed away from the traditional ‘twee’ Swiss style frequently found in this part of Switzerland, whist equally not overly contemporary or ostentatious. A key aspect was to re-orientate the main living area, making the fireplace the focal point and maximising the stunning views of the mountains and the valley below. A snug/TV room was designed to be sectioned off from the main living room with sliding doors so that young family members could be nearby – but with their own space.
Having previously only been able to enter the property via an exterior staircase (which had to be cleared every time snow fell), Rime Architecture and Q Design House created a main entrance from the road so that the house could be accessed via an indoor staircase. This was achieved by excavating further into the mountain to create a much larger garage, boot room and an indoor entrance. The existing nuclear bunker (compulsory in Switzerland when the chalet was built) was transformed into a stunning en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, large bath and glass-fronted sauna.
The design works because it maintains high quality whilst equally creating a relaxed, comfortable and liveable luxury. The lighting in particular helps to create a warm and cosy ambiance throughout the property. This was achieved by integrating LED lighting into the interior details as much as possible, accompanied by low-level lighting including wall lights, floor lamps and pendant lights. The overall design successfully creates a homely, cosy and relaxing chalet – the ideal retreat for a busy family who enjoy skiing, hiking, cycling and walking.