The Chalet with Reversed Perspectives, the project that flips the perspective

Reinterpreting the mountain from a new perspective

“Flipping the perspective” is an invitation to change habits and look at the world from a new angle. In the case of the Sestriere chalet redesigned by Icona Architetti Associati, this idea becomes a concrete gesture.
The residence, part of a complex of alpine huts, is spread over two floors. Built at the end of the last century, it had an inconsistent layout and was not closely tied to the alpine aesthetic, sacrificing the potential of its spectacular valley views.

Entrusted to the Turin-based studio specialized in modern and functional architecture projects, the project aimed at the practical and poetic redefinition of spaces, restoring identity and harmony to the place. The architects worked with sensitivity, respecting the emotional memory of the owners, who have been attached to the house for over thirty years.

The architectural project that overturns spatial logic

After a process of comparison and numerous variations, the final solution proved to be the most radical and convincing. The intervention revolves around two key themes: the views and the materials.

In a counter-current choice, the entrance, living room, and dining area have been moved to the first floor, in order to fully exploit the natural panorama. With the old partitions removed, the large windows now frame the landscape at 180 degrees.

The old staircase, bulky and disorienting, has been replaced by a light structure in iron and wood, with suspended steps and thin metal rods as a railing. The lower part, in stone, widens into steps that end in a dark metal cylindrical fireplace. The final block, a chestnut monolith, also serves as a seat and recalls Scarpa and Japanese suggestions.

Natural Materials and Crafted Warmth

On the ground floor, a hybrid space with a large green velvet sofa overlooks the garden and can function as a second living area or independent room. The bedrooms are distributed over two levels, with the master suite on the first floor.

The new layout creates proportionate and continuous spaces, lightening the volumes through vertical and coherent choices. The material palette is essential: wood, dark iron, stone, and white plaster, which acts as a neutral and balancing element.

The fir wood, reclaimed from old buildings in the valley, is the absolute protagonist. The boards, varying in tone and size, have been hand-finished, leaving visible traces of time. The result is an authentic warmth, an immediate familiarity, as if the material had always belonged to that place.

Search for continuity, light, and identity

The fir tree covers walls, ceilings, and custom-made furniture: kitchen, beds, wardrobes, bathroom furniture, dividing panels, and wainscoting. Only the large chestnut table interrupts the material continuity, introducing a bolder tone. All furnishing elements — from black metal fireplaces to Luserna stone washbasins — are custom-designed, an expression of the artisanal spirit of Icona Architetti.

The visual and material continuity gives the house a new architectural coherence, where each environment connects to the other in a fluid and natural way. Perspectives are enhanced, while the wood tells a dual story: ancient and contemporary.
By shifting the perspective, Icona Architetti Associati gives the chalet a new life, a new style, and a new soul.