It may have been designed with custom-programmed software, but Chesa
Futura owes just as much to the kind of houses and chalets conjured
up by our mind’s eye when we hear the word ‘Switzerland’
as it does to cutting edge computer technology. Set on the slopes
of the Engadin Valley, overlooking the town of St Moritz and its
lake, the shimmering ovoid structure looks every inch a piece of
pure 21st century design. But it turns out that both the inspiration
for and execution of this unique project are rooted firmly in Swiss
tradition, from the pilotis that raise it from the ground to the
wooden shingles that coat its exterior.
Serendipity
played its part in the design process as well: When the project’s
developer Sisa AG approached prestigious English practise Foster
and Partners they couldn’t have known that they would end
up with a project director who knew the Engadin Valley like the
back of his hand. In fact, Milan-born Matteo Fantoni had even more
insight than some locals into the exact nature of the site, having
stayed in the apartment building that would make way for Chesa Futura
during some of his numerous visits to the area in his youth.
“We
had friends who had flats in the building that was there before
Chesa Futura,” says Fantoni. “So I knew the view, I
knew the orientation, I knew the mountains around.”
Proceeding
with an open brief and a blank piece of paper Fantoni realised that
the elevated, curved shape of Chesa Futura would be ideal for the
site and the more he explored this approach the more practical it
became. The steel legs that raise the wooden shell by eleven-and-a-half
feet from the ground ape a Swiss mountain home tradition that prolongs
the life of timber structures by minimising contact with the chilling
and dampening snow, but it also takes the structure clear of the
houses in front of it, meaning that each floor is afforded a much
sought-after view of the lake.
The
five-storey building that Fantoni holidayed in as a teenager had
two lower levels that suffered from views restricted by the houses
in front of them and the resultant lack of light. That’s something
that Chesa Futura’s residents will never need to worry about,
as the building’s convex southerly aspect contains enormous
windows that look out on to a terrace and offer panoramic views
of St Moritz. The north-facing rear of the building is radically
different – concave to afford maximum insulation from the
mountain winds, it is dotted with small windows, set at an angle
so as to allow the maximum sunlight in whilst protecting the building
from the often extreme conditions.
Despite
its raised position Chesa Futura intrudes no further into the skyline
than its predecessor. Just over 50 feet tall at its apex, the building
has been constructed with a slight downward tilt as the valley rises
to ensure that it fits snugly into the envelope left by the old
apartment building. This was vital to comply with local planning
regulations and ensure neighbours did not lose their view of the
lake. Such a radical design in this idyllic location was bound to
bring some objections, but by meticulously keeping within local
code Foster and Partners minimised disruption to the project. Getting
the local mayor onside helped too, even though he wasn’t sure
when he first saw the plans.
“He
was silent for twenty minutes,” says Fantoni. “He then
eventually said ‘you can have my full support on it, because
it is going to be great for our valley, Switzerland and St Moritz’.”
This seems to have been an astute judgement, as the building has
already become something of a tourist attraction, with locals and
visitors alike stopping to take a snapshot or simply stand and stare.
From
a distance, Chesa Futura almost appears to hover above the side
of the valley like a wood-clad mother ship, the sun illuminating
its larch shingles. These hand-cut wooden tiles, which cover the
entire surface of the building, are another piece of Swiss tradition
that Foster and Partners sought out in their travels across the
Alpine region looking for inspiration and materials. One great discovery
was 82-year-old Lorenz Kraettli, who has been making shingles all
of his life.
“He
selected 80 trees, took them home and with his family chopped all
the pieces,” says Fantoni. “They produced 250,000 pieces
out of 80 trees and then put them on the structure of the building
over the batons in a period of five or six months. We learnt a lot
of stories from him about how to cut trees. You can have better
structural performance if you cut radial to the log. It creates
a much stronger scheme that will last as long as possible. Kraettli
says that the tiles will change colour and alter appearance and
they will have a lifespan of up to 80 years.”
The
structure is topped off with a copper-coated roof, another Swiss
material used for practicality as much as tradition. Its malleability
at low temperatures (it can reach below zero Fahrenheit in the valley)
meant that it could be fabricated on site, rather than having to
be awkwardly transported through the tiny side streets of St Moritz.
It is this ability to adapt and think ahead that Fantoni believes
has made the project such a success, in terms of both construction
and in building relationships in the local area.
“The
people who have been helping us from the city and the people related
to the project have always been very courageous,” he explains.
“This is a lot to do with the spirit of the place.”
He cites the sporting attitude that pervades in St Moritz as an
example of this ‘can do’ approach, from the kite surfers
catching the brisk winds on the lake to the competitors in the annual
ski marathon.
It
comes as little surprise to discover that amongst the 13,000 skiers
embracing this spirit each March is Foster Partners’ director,
68-year-old Lord Foster, who obviously enjoys his sporting pursuits
to be every bit as challenging as his buildings. Having purchased
one of the seven apartments in Chesa Futura he is at least guaranteed
stunning surroundings in which to recover from his exertions, be
they in the field of architecture or winter sports.
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