Reinterpreting Alpine Vernacular

Located above the road to the Col de la Forclaz in Trient, Valais, The House Les Jeurs reimagines local building traditions by echoing the form and proportions of the surrounding historic structures. Taking cues from the traditional Valais “raccard,” the design rests a timber volume on a solid stone base. To maintain the hamlet’s spatial rhythm, the building is divided into two segments, angled at 45 degrees toward the valley for a sculptural yet contextual arrangement.

Material Contrast and Continuity

The structure combines raw fir with tinted larch cladding, resting on a concrete slab above a semi-subterranean level. This material layering reflects both robustness and warmth, balancing modern techniques with traditional references. The untreated wood will evolve with time, allowing the house to age naturally within its setting and subtly shift with the alpine climate.

Intimacy Through Interior Scale

The interiors unfold through a series of compact, height-varied spaces that recall the sheltering character of historic mountain dwellings. This intimate scale, paired with the rhythmic structure and carefully framed views, brings a sense of domesticity and rootedness. Through this nuanced reinterpretation, the project explores how vernacular forms can shape modern alpine living.

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