Personeni Raffaele Architectes EPFL HES SIA

Shelter In The Swiss Alps

Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti

SHELTER IN THE SWISS ALPS

Personeni Raffaele Schärer Architectes

YEAR
2008

LOCATION
Saint-martin, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Houses

Shelter In The Swiss Alps
Courtesy of Personeni Raffaele Schärer Architects
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
Courtesy of Personeni Raffaele Schärer Architects

Text description provided by architect.

The chalet, is located in the Swiss Alps, in the Herens district, at an altitude of 1850 m. It was used as a shelter for livestock before its transformation into a holiday residence.

Very popular in Switzerland, these types of transformations reveal several simultaneous realities.

Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
Courtesy of Personeni Raffaele Schärer Architects

It is a well established fact that the collective status of these shelters often prevails over the individual quality of the object.

On the other hand the modern use of the mountain cottage involving weekly round-trips, highlights the improbable all-terrain vehicle in the city and the inevitable garage and retaining wall in front of the mountain chalet.

Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti

The mountain is not as natural and wild as it used to be in the same manner that cities are not urban enough.

The project embraces these different realities in the most surreal manner.

On the Inside, the overwhelming view is the only piece of decoration.

Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
Courtesy of Personeni Raffaele Schärer Architects

The picturesque is left behind to make place for a simple, dry and heated shelter.

The floor is made out of sanded concrete acquired locally, and the main energy sources are fire for heating and cooking and solar panels for a sufficient amount of electricity.

On the outside, the grass grows wildly around the chalet, fences and traditional garden elements are completely missing and blinds are shut during the occupant’s absence.

Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti

It is hard to find any sign of contemporary life around the place.

Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti


Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
© Tonatiuh Ambrosetti


Shelter In The Swiss Alps
Section
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
Section


Shelter In The Swiss Alps
Site Plan
Shelter In The Swiss Alps
Plan

Personeni Raffaele Architectes EPFL HES SIA
T +41 21 3118445
Personeni Raffaele Architectes EPFL HES SIA
Rue Saint-Pierre 3, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland