No 4 - Feb. 2015
LIFESTYLE
SELECTION Propreties and maybe more
LIFEST YLE
INTERVIEW
K ALEIDOSCOPE
Swiss chalet, the evolution of a symbol
Franz Bachem, a passion for wood and fourniture
Discover our selection of Swiss chalets
IMPRESSUM // N°4 – February 2015
Editions // 10 edition yearly Marketing director // Fabrice Gay-Balmaz Editorial // Pascal Viscardi Graphic design // Mathias Regamey Project management // Véronique Grossmann, Loïse Delacrétaz Contact // laselection@cardis.ch Cardis SA Avenue Mon Repos 14 1005 Lausanne +41 21 781 01 01 www.cardis.ch Any total or partial reproduction is prohibited.
LIFESTYLE SELECTION No 4 - February 2015
EDITO
The chalet - for many of us it embodies the very essence of Switzerland, a quaint log cabin nestling amid snow-capped mountains. Yet it’s so much more than that - in recent years, its design and technology have moved forward in leaps and bounds, while its traditional charm remains as appealing as ever to a new generation of holidaymakers. In this issue, we’ll tell you the story of the chalet and take a look at how this Swiss icon became what it is today!
Pierre Hagmann Region Director Genève, La Côte & Montagne
For this issue of Lifestyle Selection, we met a man who’s dedicated his life to transforming chalets into comfortable and stylish places to be. Franz Bachman, founder of Swiss furniture store “Le Trésor”, told us about how his love of woodwork and chalets took him all the way from his native Germany to Monthey in the Swiss canton of Valais. He also gave us some handy interior design tips to help you give your chalet a unique look of its own. If all this has got you yearning for a mountain retreat of your own, you may be tempted by our selection of holiday homes. We have a range of beautiful chalets in Europe’s most sought-after ski resorts (Gstaad, Verbier, Le Crosets, Vilars-Sur-Ollon, Gryon and Caux), offering the ultimate combination of contemporary luxury and traditional charm! Happy reading !
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L IF E ST YL E
The Swiss The Swiss chalet an ever-changing symbol of Switzerland
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s chalet For many people, the chalet is the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Switzerland, with its distinctive solid wood construction. Initially seen as a picturesque part of the landscape before being elevated to the status of a logical, rational construction by architects in the early 19th century, the chalet is still very much in favour today thanks to its unique decorative style. It has succeeded in holding onto its traditional charm while meeting modern architectural standards, and remains as appealing as ever. -7-
L IF E ST YL E
Just what do we mean by “chalet”?
invention, strictly speaking. In fact, the chalet isn’t even specific to the Alpine lands - there have always Buildings that might be described as “chalets” first been chalets in Norway, Spain, Canada and even Jaappeared in the 14th century. The term itself is pan and Australia. thought to derive from the pre-Roman word “cala”, meaning “sheltered place”. According to the Histori- It’s also commonly thought that the chalet was incal Dictionary of Switzerland, the term “chalet” re- vented with the aim of “decorating the landscape”, fers to “rural constructions built in isolated clearings but the first chalets were actually designed to meet or medium and high-altitude pastures”. the practical needs of local people. Built in what is known as the “vernacular” architectural style (built Nowadays the chalet is seen as a symbol of the sim- without an architect, for the sole purpose of meeting ple life, harmony with nature, romanticism and free- local needs), the chalets were mainly popular with dom. Yet the shift to manufactured construction mountain-dwellers due to their simple, functional only began in the 19th century. design.
A functional construction with a practical purpose
The making of a myth that’s not so Swiss!
Long seen as little more than a basic shelter, which few people knew or cared much about, the chalet only achieved its current status as a symbol of Switzerland in the 18th century - and it was never a solely Swiss phenomenon in the first place! Indeed, contrary to popular belief, it isn’t a Swiss
Of all the countries where this type of housing has flourished, Switzerland is the one that really succeeded in promoting the chalet and building up a “myth” around it. But did Switzerland and its people create the myth on purpose, or did it just gradually develop over time?
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It’s a tough question, but on closer inspection it appears that the myth developed over time of its own accord, albeit with the involvement of many famous figures, architects (especially English and Prussian ones in the 19th century, who contributed greatly to the birth of the so-called “Swiss” style) and the great and good of the world, who acclaimed the chalets for their beauty…
Local diversity makes way for the “standard chalet”
At a time when the nation states of the world were just being founded, any symbol, anthem or myth rooted in local culture, authentic or otherwise (or even plain made-up) was worth having. Thus did the countries of Europe take shape, amid a number of cultural rallying points of varying degrees of authenticity.
There are four features you can expect to find in any “Swiss-style chalet”: large windows and wooden panels, exposed beams with decorative carvings, gable roofs with wide gutters, and balconies on the first and often the second floor.
In the beginning, there were many types of chalets. For instance, the big chalets in the Gruyère area needed to have plenty of room for cows, while chalets in Valais were small and scattered because of unfavourable economic conditions. At one time it The celebrated Genevan philosopher and author seems there were as many chalet styles as there were Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote about this construc- Swiss regions! tion in his famous novel “Julie, or the New Heloise”, describing it as a “sort of wooden house in which Yet the original diversity gradually made way for cheese and various kinds of milk products are made a stereotypical model that harked back to a rather in the mountains”. With the success of his book, the idealised vision of original purity. Encouraged by chalet’s renown spread beyond the borders of Swit- the popularity of pretty, picturesque dwellings, zerland. It began to be seen as a secluded love nest, a this very ornate type of timber chalet became the symbol of the simple life and harmony with nature. standard.
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“Chalets are appearing in our mountain areas in growing numbers, and are more than ever associated with leisure and mountain holidays.�
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L IF E ST YL E
More than just a picturesque log cabin
In fact it was this creative freedom and simple construction that led to chalets cropping up all over the A perfect example of Swiss picturesque architecture, world. To give just one example, Charles Dickens the chalet is genuinely an important part of world (British author of the famous novel “Oliver Twist”) architectural history. It has always been a source of had one built on his estate at Gad’s Hill (Great Britain). fascination as a primitive dwelling, safely preserved deep in the heart of the ancient Swiss countryside. Loved by the great and good since 1837 Symbolising nostalgia and the future at the same time, the chalet has not only managed to withstand There was never any large-scale development of chathe onslaught of modernity but has also evolved to lets, or any real plan by the Swiss to promote them embrace new trends. on an international scale. On the contrary, the chalet won over architecture-lovers and the great and good One of the last remaining urban constructions of the of the world in a very natural, gradual way (albeit Middle Ages, the chalet gives builders a great deal with the help of many international architects, as we of freedom in terms of composition, adornment and mentioned earlier). As early as 1837, famous figures details (since it’s entirely made of wood). The inner such as the French author Honoré de Balzac, Napoframework or “body” of the wooden house is ex- leon III and Queen Victoria were taking a keen inposed for all to see. terest in these constructions.
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Although its main material (wood) has been considered highly flammable, and therefore ill-suited to modern living, the chalet adapted to include metal structures. Its modernisation went hand-in-hand with the expansion of the railways (a major factor in cultural transfer) during the Industrial Revolution, and the many business opportunities that came with the age of the train.
A change of status: from national architecture to universal model
modern needs, and to enable this humble wood construction to evolve and achieve mainstream appeal. In short, the chalet had to make the transition from functional dwelling to enjoyable home. By 1934, chalets maybe no longer had a functional purpose but the Swiss were still attached to them. A dismal urbanisation of the mountain villages was to be avoided at all costs. It was around that time that most chalets were converted into second homes, although they didn’t include too many luxury features. Their traditional charm had to be kept intact - and so it was.
Before the turn of the 20th century, mountainous areas were hard to access and the new techniques and materials of the day struggled to cope with the The contemporary chalet: mountain slopes. Yet at the World’s Fair in Paris in a welcoming designer holiday home 1867, the art of wood construction seemed to have entered a new era and finally started to create a buzz. Today, 40% of Gruyère’s 900 chalets have been converted into second homes. Chalets are appearing in Architects’ fondness for Alpine constructions was our mountain areas in growing numbers, and are no doubt partly down to the low cost of the materi- more than ever associated with leisure and mounals and labour involved, plus they were also quick to tain holidays. build. Ornamentation and woodcarving also played an important role. These “primitive” details, full of As we’ve seen above, architects have always been rustic charm and displaying a distinct Renaissance interested in the chalet. Some of the most famous or Louis XV influence, were often inspired by nature names in the business have transformed it from a and/or geometric shapes, creating compositions full simple vernacular dwelling to a true masterpiece of of different symbols. contemporary architecture. As seen in creations by architects such as Hans-Jörg Ruch (Saint-Moritz), The chalet then began to embrace the modern way of EM2N Architects (Zürich) and MJD (Haute-Nenlife and new construction technologies, and has con- daz, Valais), the chalet is available in a number of detinued to evolve ever since. This rustic, picturesque signs, from streamlined/minimalist to luxurious, yet building turned a corner by combining functionality its original structural features are never forgotten. and enjoyment; the chalet would become ever more popular, to the point of becoming an essential holi- Remote controls, underfloor heating, sound systems, day residence. hi-tech lighting, stainless steel kitchens, smooth render finishes, and new anti-earthquake, soundproofing and heating standards - nothing’s too good for Adapting and evolving to survive: the modern chalet. Often aimed at affluent buyers from functional construction to bona (the price of a plot of land can reach up to CHF fide second home 12,000.00 per square metre in Nendaz, for examYet the chalet still needed to evolve in order to sur- ple), contemporary chalets offer more comfort and vive. There was increasingly no need for it among designer style than many urban homes. Yet despite Alpine farmers. At this stage, two essential challeng- all that, good old solid wood is still very popular, for es presented themselves: to offer a home that suited that typical “Heidi chalet” look!
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L IF E ST YL E
In a nutshell… Amazingly charming and still true to its roots (more or less), the chalet has managed to win over many generations of buyers, architects, historians and aesthetes of all kinds. Having made the transition from rustic, functional dwelling to luxury second home, this type of housing can look forward to a bright future… Ultimately, the appeal of what used to be “just a simple log cabin tucked away in the mountains” can be summed up in a few essential points: its ability to adapt perfectly to new materials and trends; its straightforward construction; its high-quality raw materials (which also give it such a unique look), and its picturesque charm, not to mention the whole “mythology” surrounding it. All of these advantages have combined to make it one of Switzerland’s most distinctive national symbols.
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IN T E RV I EW
FRANZ BACHEM, A LIFELONG LOVE OF WOODWORK
Franz Bachem, a German who has made Monthey his home, is the proud owner of “Le Trésor”, the place to go for all your chalet furnishing needs. Franz, who has been passionate about woodwork for many years now, told us all about how he came to Switzerland to make his chalet dreams come true. He also gave us his top tips for decorating your own mountain holiday home!
IN T E RV I EW
Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
become passionate about putting people’s ideas into practice and arranging spaces to suit their individual needs.
My name is Franz Bachem and I was born in 1961 at Mulheim an Der Ruhr, in Germany. I opened Le Can you tell us a bit about your team? Trésor in 2000 to offer interiors that suit every customer’s individual tastes. My trade as a cabinet-maker We’re a small and very versatile team. Everyone has their strong points and works shoulder to shoulder obviously helped me a lot in this. with their colleagues. As a rule, you’ll find Pascal Graf I also gained considerable skills during my years of ex- on the sales floor, giving personalised advice very perience in the hotel and restaurant trade. As I have an competently. insider’s view of the business, I’m able to suggest plenty of functional, practical ideas to help with the vari- Outside of the sales-related activities, Michèle ous tasks involved, as well as offering aesthetic advice. Michaud takes care of communication and customer management. Dominique Goossens works in our studio and is also in charge of customer deliveries, while Where does your passion for wood Charly Monay-Michaud is responsible for administraand furniture come from? tion and accounting. I’ve always been very interested in creative activities. I was fortunate to begin my vocational training as a My wife Susanne and I work on developing the busicabinet-maker in a very creative environment where ness - we’re always looking for new ideas. We always everyone was full of ideas. So my love of wood and keep an eye open for new trends and also offer our furniture came naturally and then grew over time. I’ve own unique designs.
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How did you come to specialise in chalet furniture? My involvement in tourism brought me to Switzerland. I saw there was huge potential in furnishing the wonderful chalets in the Valais and Vaud Alps, so I wanted to get involved. That’s how I came to open a furniture shop, which has gone from strength to strength, and customers have come from far and wide.
People often talk about the evolution of the chalet or the “contemporary” chalet. Can you tell us what this evolution is all about, in a nutshell?
tional building materials. Houses became brighter, with more spacious rooms. Open-plan living areas have replaced all the little nooks and crannies you used to find. Interior design has evolved in the same way. Nowadays we use natural materials such as solid wood, tree roots, leather, animal hides, stones, etc. - although we still use materials with a “natural” finish, a little rough around the edges where possible, with streamlined designs. People are looking for contrasts. For example, combining wood with steel or a vintage table with modern chairs is very popular nowadays.
Where do you find inspiration?
Just over 10 years ago, the chalet style harked back to the architecture and layout of the traditional chalets of I enjoy travelling and I keep in touch with lots of peothe 1900s. Our customers loved antiques and rustic- ple. I go to the trade fairs in Switzerland and abroad, style reproduction furniture. where I speak with designers. It’s easier than ever to explore the world, so people travel around and bring Then the architecture changed. Project managers various influences back with them. The whole art of started to combine modern architecture with tradi- decoration (and especially chalet decoration) lies in
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preserving traditional aspects while combining them What are the current “must-have” with a more “exotic” touch. This approach is probably items to decorate a Swiss chalet? what best defines my work. I suggest a comfortable, hand-dyed leather sofa for Let’s say I’m a fan of traditional chalets sitting down and relaxing, and a cosy sheepskin to lounge on. Alongside that, you can bathe the room in - what are the must-have items I need soft light with a nice antler lamp on a glass side table. to decorate mine? What do you recomIn the end, what really matters is that you feel happy mend? in your chalet! If you like traditional chalets, I recommend investing in antiques or good-quality reproductions, traditional craftsmanship and pieces relating to life in the Alps. Contact :
OK, same question as before, but this time let’s say I’m into contemporarystyle chalets.
Le Trésor Chalet furniture and new trends
Dare to be different, break from convention! For example, you could take a really rustic table top and combine it with raw or chrome-plated steel. And why not hang a polished aluminium cow’s head on the wall…
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www.letresor.ch Avenue du Simplon 23 1870 Monthey Tel. 024 472 94 61 info@letresor.ch
KALÉI DO SCOPE - 26 -
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VERBIER Ref. N째3794w
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VERBIER
More views »
Elegant chalet with its own mazot (traditional outbuilding) and breathtaking views This beautiful property has the advantage of a central Verbier location and boasts panoramic views of the Grand Combin mountain, the village of Verbier and the surrounding Alps.
• 586 m2, 11.5 rooms • 1,250 m2 of land • 12-seat home cinema • Wellness centre • South-facing patio Price : CHF 13’900’000.- / Ref. N°3794w
Contact: Karyl Chabloz 021 962 86 62 montreux@cardis.ch - 30 -
LES CROSETS
More views »
Semi-detached chalet right next to the ski slopes Wonderful semi-detached chalet in an idyllic spot, enjoying plenty of sunshine and superb panoramic views of the Dents du Midi mountains.
• 160 m2, 4.5 rooms •En suite bedrooms •Patio •Modern fitted kitchen •Lounge with fireplace Price : CHF 2’400’000.- / Ref. N°5671w
Contact: Karyl Chabloz 021 962 86 62 montreux@cardis.ch - 31 -
GSTAAD Réf. N°6121w
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GSTAAD
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A real gem surrounded by green countryside Conveniently located next to Gstaad, this gorgeous chalet is arranged over 3 floors and boasts generously-sized rooms, including a 70 m² lounge complete with an attractive fireplace. It enjoys an idyllic location deep in the mountains, offering wonderful views and facing south while still being close to all amenities. • Around 300 m2, 9 rooms • Over 3,000 m2 of land • 6 bedrooms, each with en suite bathroom • Huge lounge with fireplace • Top-quality materials Price : CHF 9’975’000.- / Ref. N° 6121w
Contact : Thomas Geiser 021 962 86 62 montreux@cardis.ch - 34 -
VILLARS-SUR-OLLON Chalet Beverley
This chalet enjoys an exceptional location at Villars-sur-Ollon, near the prestigious Hotel Royalp*****, New Sporting sports centre, ski slopes and Roche Grise station.
• 7 rooms, 200 m2 • Top-quality construction • A few minutes from the resort • Large lounge • Garage for 2 cars Price : CHF 3’200’000.-
Contact: Pierre Hagmann 022 888 18 18 geneve@cardis.ch - 35 -
VILLARS-SUR-OLLON Chalet Clipper : a very hign class construction entierly renovated in 1999
A splendid chalet offering exceptional comfort and wonderful views. In the heights of the Domaine de la RĂŠsidence, with lovely views of the Savoy Alps, the Dents-du-Midi and the Muveran mountain range.
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• 9 rooms, 490 m2 • Peaceful area full of rustic charm • Large balconies • Indoor swimming pool and sauna • Rear courtyard with parking for 5 cars Price : CHF 6’400’000.-
Contact: Pierre Hagmann 022 888 18 18 geneve@cardis.ch - 37 -
GRYON
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Chalet “ Le Renard d’Argent ”
Wonderful contemporary chalet with huge bay windows offering lovely, bright open-plan living space. Unrivalled views of the Rhone Valley and the Dents du Midi mountains.
• 6 rooms, 210 m2 • 1,163 m2 of land • Lush green setting • Ski area nearby • South-facing Price : CHF 2’950’000.-
Contact : Pierre Hagmann 022 888 18 18 geneve@cardis.ch - 38 -
CAUX
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Exceptional chalets with breathtaking views In the heights of Montreux, these two exceptional chalets stand on several plots of land totalling 3,659 m2. They enjoy stunning views over the whole Lake Geneva area and surrounding mountains.
• Bright, spacious chalets • 12 rooms in total • Top-quality, eco-friendly materials • 2 separate chalets • Idyllic mountain retreat between heaven and earth Rice : CHF 6’900’000.- / Ref. N° 590w
Contact: Sébastien Rota 021 925 33 55 vevey@cardis.ch - 39 -
VERBIER Réf. N°3008w
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VERBIER Unique property in a lush green setting Ski-in & ski-out! This beautiful property has the advantage of a central Verbier location, offering gorgeous panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and the surrounding glaciers. Here you’ll find plenty of hiking opportunities in the unspoilt countryside, with enchanting scenery all around. • 670 m2, 11.5 rooms • 12,750 m2 of land • Wellness area • En suite bedrooms • Spacious rooms Price : CHF 38’000’000.- / Ref. N° 3008w
Contact: Karyl Chabloz 021 962 86 62 montreux@cardis.ch - 42 -
VERBIER
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New chalet built from old wood in central Verbier This gorgeous chalet, newly built from old wood with a high-quality finish, is ideally located in a residential area at the very heart of the village, offering wonderful views of the Swiss Alps and Verbier ski resort. • 12 rooms, 540 m2 • Lovely south-facing patio • Relaxation area • Private lift • Finishing touches to suit the buyer Price : CHF 13’000’000.- / Ref. N° 2660w
Contact: Karyl Chabloz 021 962 86 62 montreux@cardis.ch - 43 -
LIFESTYLE
SELECTION De l’immobilier et plus si affinité
No 3 - Déc. 2014
De l’immobilier et plus si affinité
No 2 - Nov. 2014
No 1 - Oct. 2014
LIFESTYLE
SELECTION
LIFESTYLE
SELECTION De l’immobilier et plus si affinité
L I FE ST Y L E
I N T E RV I E W
KALÉIDOSCOPE
L IF E ST YLE
IN TE RV IE W
K A LÉ ID OS COPE
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IN TE RV IE W
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