Chalet Soleyâ by Chevallier Architectes

Chalet Soleyâ by Chevallier Architectes

Chevallier Architectes recently completed Chalet Soleyâ located in Les Houches, France. This project started with a mountain guide's home. Because the house was originally self-built, it had a unique soul.

The challenge was to avoid losing the essence of the charming and traditional original building while integrating an updated design, modern materials and innovative solutions.

Solelyâ is the first home with a green roof deck in Coupeaux, in the commune of Les Houches. That choice and the work on the fifth façade resulted from a considered process and a desire to respect the environment - not only in ecological terms but in terms of respect, by limiting direct sightlines to neighbours. On these steep Coupeaux hillsides, the view from a roof includes a view of downhill neighbours.

In keeping with sound principles of thermal regulation, significant work went into optimizing the use of solar energy. The sun-facing façades were opened up, while the building has no north-facing openings. The existing building was insulated and renovated with high-performance solutions.

The main new feature is the addition of a living space consistent with the scale of the entire building, to make the most of this fine site nestled in the mountains.

The added space, a room made of glass and polished and lacquered black aluminum, contrasts with the original timber construction. That contrast is carried through to the uses of the different spaces, with the original low-ceilinged structure housing private spaces and bedrooms, while the modern section contains shared spaces designed for socializing.

Solelyâ now has two personalities, reflected in its two distinct entrances: a practical, family-oriented entrance, and a more dramatic entrance for guests.

The cantilevered structure of Solelyâ is particularly refined, lacking any posts. Situated on a promontory, it evokes homes we might see overlooking the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, so very far from Coupeaux.

Chevallier Architectes