In our regular series Around the world, we look at inspiring architecture from across the globe that serves up an irresistible visual treat.
For this edition we explore Chevallier Architectes’ raccard styled home – Caraccard in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Caraccard’s raccard style
Raccard houses in Switzerland are Alpine buildings made of wood, like an independent raised attic built piece by piece, including a central area, side stackers, and granary.
Caraccard was built by Chevallier Architectes to reflect the raccard style.
The project used an already existing base to build a chalet that will be occupied for a large part of the year, thus requiring real planning options.
The choice of location for Caraccard, and its architectural choices, are attributable to several factors, including, among others, the steep terrain and breathtaking views.
The chalet provides 360° views and exposes living spaces to full sun, staging the settings and designing each area according to both the course of the sun and the corresponding view.
Custom designed cladding
The typical outline of Caraccard comes from its overhangs, its corbels, its aspect of a solved Rubik’s Cube. These options demanded considerable layout work to ensure the continuity of the cladding on all of the facades. The cladding was custom-designed by the agency to reinforce the “box” aspect of the chalet, which is essentially made of larch.
Having cubes, uneven in their angles, required a particular consideration to the layout and routing of the networks, aligning them through 3D rendering.
One of the highlights of the construction of Caraccard was the delivery and installation of the large bay window, with unique dimensions that transformed the space.
About Chevallier Architects’
Located in the Alpine Valley of Chamonix Chevallier Architects is a multi-disciplinary firm in France. The company is most known for its work on light, a mixture of wood/metal/glass materials, harmonious integration, and respect of its environment for unparalleled work. The firm has worked on a number of projects including houses, collective housing, hotels, public buildings, or industrial buildings.