Chalet Homes: Simplicity or Nobility?

The chalet is a fine example of an evolution "from rags to riches." Today, people choose cottages in the chalet style to demonstrate their own status and devotion to centuries-old traditions. Originally, however, the word referred to the tiny houses of shepherds that appeared on the mountain slopes of Savoy, a province on the border of France with Italy and Switzerland, where they served as temporary shelter from the weather. Once defiantly rural and rustic, the chalet gained popularity and earned its rightful place alongside the most refined architectural styles.

A couple of centuries after the style was born, the solid virtues of wood and stone, its main building materials, made chalets the leaders of European architectural fashion. Our fellow countrymen know relatively little about this minimalist "alpine" style, and people often use the word "chalet" even for summer houses made of boards painted with wood stain. But it is a proud name, and it can describe a substantial house with a rich texture.

When people ask us to design the facade of their home, they often mention the chalet style. So what exactly is this style, and why is it so beloved?

The hallmarks of the chalet style

If you see:

a facade facing east;
a high stone base;
a floor above the base made of wooden beams and decorated with wooden beams and pilasters, sometimes whitewashed with painted details;
a sloping gable roof that projects far beyond the walls (up to 2 meters) and is the dominant element of the building;
a large open terrace along the walls (sometimes around the entire perimeter of the house) at the second-floor level, or paved with stone at the base level;
a balcony beneath the roof slopes

then know that you are looking at a chalet house.

Classic chalet — A striking illustration of the alpine chalet style: a stone first floor, a wooden second floor, a flat roof with wide slopes, small balconies right under the roof, and an attic that wraps around the house. The strictness and brevity of the lines, harmony with the natural landscape, and natural beauty.

The structural features are dictated by the harsh natural conditions in which the style originated:

The stone base is stable even on difficult terrain.
A wide flat roof reliably shelters the walls from the destructive effects of rain, and once a thick layer of snow has accumulated in winter, it provides insulation during the cold months. Such a roof offers no resistance to the wind, so the wind cannot destroy it.
Thanks to the long terraces that extend beyond the perimeter of the building, the usable area is increased.

The appearance of the chalet shows no striving for height and fragility, as the Gothic style does, for example. On the contrary, it displays exceptional solidity and monumentality. Alpine houses seem to embody the wisdom and eternity of the mountains. A minimum of extravagance and ornamentation, only the essentials.

Over time, under the influence of rain and wind, the appearance of chalets did not suffer at all. On the contrary, the stone took on the rugged charm of a weathered surface, and a noble dark shade appeared on the softwood used for the facade. The owner of the house paid more attention to the eastern facade, which was later covered with white lime and paintings and decorated with simple carvings. The opposite facade was additionally covered with shingles or wood chips to protect it from the weather.

Naturalness is the basis of everything

The chalet style does not tolerate artificiality, although modern times have made their own adjustments to the traditional technology. Wood today is replaced by polyurethane imitations, which make construction cheaper and easier. In defense of polyurethane beams, it should be said that they come in a variety of colors and textures, look similar to natural wood, and significantly extend the life of the house.

Stone remains the indispensable foundation of the structure. It is to stone that chalet-style houses owe their strength and durability. The base, which as a rule houses the fireplace room and the boiler room, is made of stone. At the same time, such a base protects against moisture ingress, high snow drifts, and freezing of the soil. The upper living area, built of light wood, does not overload the structure and allows the owner to enjoy clean air and a natural microclimate.

TRADITION COMBINED WITH MODERNITY

Over the centuries, the style was adjusted as the social conditions of Europeans changed. From the seasonal shepherds' huts of the 16th century, chalets were transformed into family estates, with more attention paid to comfortable living. But the materials were still stone and wood, and only the size of the house increased.

At the beginning of the 20th century, many old chalets in Europe were converted into hotels. In our time, new recreation centers and private buildings are being built in the alpine style. The attributes of the classic prototype are visible in modern buildings: the same natural materials, the same solidity, the same sense of reliability and comfort.

Multi-storey chalets — A typical landscape of the modern Alps: multi-story chalets.

Do not think that tradition rules out a flight of design fancy, or that all the buildings are boring and one-size-fits-all. Instead of natural stone, brick and ceramic blocks are now used.

The modern chalet — A modern interpretation is not a contradiction of tradition. Take the best modern materials, follow the design principles, add individuality, and chalets can look quite different! A stucco facade with imitation stone and wood is the same chalet, only different.

In the original, the top floor is made of wood, but in a modern house a chalet can be built from a variety of materials:

The closest to the original, but also the most expensive, option is laminated timber. Excellent appearance, durability, no need for exterior finishing, and freedom from warping and cracking are the advantages of this material, provided that its quality is high.
Unedged timber with natural moisture content. This requires mandatory exterior insulation using the "ventilated facade" method. It is a good option, especially given its low cost.
Frame technology. The house is warm and economical, but it requires full adherence to the finer points of the technology: it is necessary to calculate the load-bearing capacity needed to support a large roof, as well as the correct installation and protection of the insulation.
Logs. This option is not exactly alpine, but rather Russian. Russian wooden architecture is characterized by log buildings, but for a chalet it guarantees a special charm and unique beauty.
The roof in its classic form is made of larch or pine shingles. In a modern interpretation, asphalt shingles are used, for example. The main thing is to plan a snow-melting system and ensure that the roof structure is strong enough.

New materials in the chalet — An asymmetrical roof, the use of metal tile, and large windows in modern chalets are innovations that do not spoil the classic look. It remains restrained and austere.

There are no strict restrictions in the design of a chalet house; on the contrary, the architect has the opportunity to "experiment" with combinations of even opposing materials. It is amazing how easy it is to breathe in a house like this (for all the massiveness of its space), and how distinctly peaceful the feeling is! After all, Europeans did not fall in love with the chalet for nothing.

See examples of houses in the chalet style in our database of facades.