Centred on a double-height living room that flows into an open-plan dining and kitchen area, the chalet’s communal spaces are light-filled and airy showcasing Alpine views on three sides. Views also abound in the private quarters with skylights adding diffused light as well as in the indoor swimming pool located on the lower level which was conceived as a spa-like space of relaxation and reflection.

Reclaimed wood and lime stucco dominate the pared-down interiors, imbuing the spaces with warmth and tactile richness. From the structural elements, to the hardwood flooring and wall cladding, through to its built-in furnishings, the project’s joinery is a showcase of local craftsmanship as is the textured finish of limewashed walls. Complemented by marble and stone elements, the palette of raw, natural materials echoes the elemental nature of the mountainous setting as well as evokes the ascetic ambience of Tibetan monasteries. The latter is made all the more pronounced by the latticed balustrades that pay homage to the Drukgyel Dzong monastery in Bhutan along with the lantern-like sconces that the studio custom-designed for the project. Named La Lune and used throughout the premises, the solid brass light fittings feature a paper coated shade with metal shields that emits a warm, mellow light.

An eclectic collection of Japanese art and Chinese antiques sparsely adorning the chalet further deepens the East Asian connection. Contemporary pieces include a large print depicting a misty landscape by Japanese photographer Shouya Grigg above the living room’s fireplace and an abstract painting by Japanese artist Kiyo Hasegawa in the bedroom. Also in the bedroom, a Japanese antique screen above the bed adds a bit of sparkle thanks to a nature scene incorporating gold leaf foliage, while an expansive 17th Century Japanese two-panel screen in the entrance hall sets the tone with a cherry garden scene. Sparsely adorned with the family’s collection of Chinese antiques which range from low tables and Tibetan trunks to lacquered leather opium pillows and bamboo woven baskets, the chalet seems almost suspended, conceptually and spiritually, between the Alps and the Himalayas.