Chalet du Chene

Morzine, French Alps

Architects: Westwind Oak Buildings
Engineers: Structural Solutions
Contractor: Dom Hallet
Highlights: Luxury Alpine Holiday Rental, Traditional styled alpine chalet, Designed by Westwind Oak Buildings

Chef Richard Lambert and his wife Fiona commissioned Westwind Oak to design and build a luxury alpine style chalet for their gourmet rental company near the ski resort of Morzine in the French Alps. We designed a traditional style alpine property with 5 ensuite bedrooms and open-plan living space that would appeal to the luxury gourmet traveller. We included a balcony that surrounded the Chalet to take in the spectacular mountain views. We also handmade the internal split chestnut balustrade and used local weatherboarding over the encapsulation system to add a traditional aesthetic.

We worked closely with engineers, Structural Solutions, to ensure that the frame and roof could withstand the weight of heavy alpine snow. Extra roof timbers were added to take the winter load and we used curved braces to support the large roof overhangs. As is usual with alpine buildings, the foundations were built before the winter and left to bed-in before the frame was raised the following year. The frame and SIPs encapsulation system was designed and made in our workshop in Somerset and shipped to the site in the Spring. It wasn’t work and no play for the Westwind Oak site team! They had a great time sampling the local produce and spent free time mountain biking in the Alps.