Commissioned to design a chalet for a family of four in the Alpine region of Haute-Savoie in France, design studio “A Work of Substance” drew inspiration from both Alpine architecture and the native Buddhist culture of the Himalayas.

While the exterior of the three-story building has an aura of traditional alpine chalets, with a stone-built ground floor, pine-planked floors and a roof clad in pine wood shingles, its interiors channel the art and spirituality of Tibetan Buddhism. Through a rich tapestry of recycled materials, we notice handmade details and antiques.

Taking its name from the word for snow in the regional Savoy dialect, Chalet Nê is a place that embodies the spirit of the Alps, especially during the snowy winter months.

Photography Harold de Puymorin