Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

Walking in the footsteps of his grandfather, architect Henri Chevallier, Renaud Chevallier renovates a family residence, built almost 60 years ago by his grandfather, proceeding to a contemporary reinterpretation of the main residence, two generations apart.

To start a proper renovation and transformation procedure, Renaud Chevallier decided to communicate with the owner and make the owner involved in construction and hold a vigorous viewpoint.

The latter is committed from the start to being the ideal client, and he endeavors to demonstrate his availability, reliability, investment, and, of course, his high standards. It was a robust consultation with sustained commitments.

With the help of new technological solutions, the architect was able to “frame” the views and place openings in their ideal positions. A permanent frame in a quiet environment.

The challenges were abundant. It was necessary to integrate the modernity of the equipment and the networks, while keeping original parts, including a heat pump, elaborate home automation, air conditioning, LED lighting, and to utilize different materials that the agency had not previously used, including leather and brass.

Finally, the maximum size for one of the many bay windows was attained. Today, we could not see how to design a larger one.

The architect completes the project based on two assets: the first is close consultation with an exceptional client, as expected; the second is the pride of extending the project of his grandfather, while preserving an authentic architectural heritage that is currently no longer feasible, as in the case of building a house with a pitched roof.

Project: Aperture Residence
Architects: Chevallier Architectes
Lead Architects: Renaud Chevallier
Designer Team: David Castagna, Thibault Forissier, and Sophie Rubin
Photographer : Solène Renault