This was my client’s personal ski chalet within his development of five new chalets, and he wanted the best materials and fittings. He also had an amusing constraint - the design had to accommodate a concrete bath that weighed over one tonne! The plot chosen was the biggest of the five and had the best views. It was the furthest plot to the west and was wider from east to west than the other plots which presented the opportunity to place the footprint further away from the other chalets for increased privacy. However, because of the shape of the plot, the slope was less steep than the other plots which gave a design challenge for covered parking. The covered parking could not be incorporated into the structure under the habitable space as it was for three of the other chalet designs and the solution was a detached garage. This added extra curb appeal and freed space at ground level for other use. The planning approval obtained was for 255m² of habitable space and a later modification increased the habitable space to 298m². This modification was achieved by reconfiguring the interior and raising the roof, which was only made possible by increasing the width of the hip roofs. The modification was planned from the outset as explained in the overview of the five-chalet development description in Project 18. I produced the technical drawings for the construction of the chalet and during this process the design developed further to incorporate a ground floor 145m² non-habitable space for bike and ski rooms, and provision to convert this area into a luxury spa and gym later with a future modification. The 130m² split level middle floor was the spacious main entrance level which opened to the roof giving space and drama upon entry to the chalet. There were three ensuite double bedrooms with private balcony, a communal wc, wine cave, and technical rooms on this level. The 168m² split level top floor consisted of the entrance atrium and an open tread staircase, open plan lounge, dining and kitchen, and the master bedroom suite with ensuite bathroom including the one tonne concrete bath! From this level there was access to terraces on all sides and a hot tub to enjoy the magnificent view of the iconic mountain peak of le Criou, at 2200m in Samoëns. *